William Slavens McNutt ( September 12 , 1885 &ndash; January 25 , 1938 ) , was an American screenwriter . He wrote for 28 films between 1922 and 1939 . He was nominated for an Academy Award on two separate occasions . At the 5th Academy Awards , he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Story for '' Lady and Gent '' . In 1936 , he was nominated for Adapted Screenplay for the film '' The Lives of a Bengal Lancer '' . He was born in Urbana , Illinois and died in San Fernando , California
5th Academy Awards
5th Academy Awards
William Slavens McNutt