RIP: Hal Dresner

Hal Dresner died yesterday from cancer.  He was 85.

Mr. Dresner was a writer and producer of television programs and feature films.  He was an uncredited writer on the Paul Newman classic, Cool Hand Luke.  One of the most famous lines in movie history, “What we have here is a failure to communicate” is attributed to Hal Dresner.

Some of Hal Dresner’s television work includes: Night Gallery (3 episodes); The Harvey Korman Show (creator & writer – 3 episodes); Husbands, Wives & Lovers (creator & writer – 10 episodes) and Poor Richard.

Some of Hal Dresner’s feature film work includes: .Cool Hand Luke (uncredited writer); The April Fools (screenplay); Catch 22 (screenplay); Sssssss (screenplay); The Eiger Sanction (screenplay) and Zorro: The Gay Blade (screenplay).

I probably first saw Hal Dresner’s work on a Night Gallery episode.  My favorite Hal Dresner screenplay is The Eiger Sanction.  It’s interesting to note that if he did nothing more than come up with the Cool Hand Luke line, “What we have here is a failure to communicate”, his place in movie history would be assured.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Hal Dresner’s family, friends and fans.