Best known for penning Grand Guignol novels, his "Whatever Happened to
Baby Jane?" in 1960 was adapted to film two years later and
subsequently started the whole craze. His accompanying horror novel
"Whatever Happened to Cousin Charlotte?" was the basis for the movie
Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964). Both films were directed by Robert Aldrich and starred
Bette Davis.
Hir first novel "The Hostage" (1959) became a film in 1967.
Completed a new novel "A Piece of Clarisse" shortly before his
death.