Donald E. Westlake was one of America’s most prolific and versatile writers, with a career that spanned more than five decades. Best known for his crime novels, particularly those featuring the hard-boiled criminal Parker (written under the pseudonym Richard Stark), Westlake’s work ranged from gritty noir to humorous capers. In addition to his acclaimed novels, Westlake also contributed to television, most notably as the co-creator of the ambitious, if short-lived, 1979 series Supertrain. While Supertrain did not achieve lasting success, Westlake’s involvement in the show highlights his ability to navigate different storytelling mediums with creativity and originality.
Throughout his career, Westlake wrote over 100 books and numerous screenplays, establishing himself as a master of the crime genre and an innovator in television and film. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including three Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America and the title of Grand Master, the organization’s highest honor, in 1993. Westlake’s contribution to crime fiction and entertainment is indelible, and his work remains influential in both literary and cinematic circles.
Early Life and Literary Beginnings
Donald Edwin Westlake was born on July 12, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York. Raised in a working-class family, Westlake developed a love for reading and writing at an early age. His passion for storytelling eventually led him to pursue a career as a writer, though it was not an easy path. After attending Champlain College and Binghamton University, Westlake began his professional writing career in the 1950s, selling short stories to pulp magazines and writing under various pseudonyms to make ends meet.
Westlake’s early work was influenced by the hard-boiled crime fiction of writers like Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler. His affinity for the genre was evident in his early novels, which blended the tough, cynical style of classic noir with his own unique sense of humor and wit. Westlake quickly established himself as a rising star in the world of crime fiction, and his prolific output gained the attention of publishers and readers alike.
The Creation of Parker and the Richard Stark Persona
One of Westlake’s most enduring contributions to the crime genre is the creation of Parker, a professional thief and antihero who operates in a world of crime, betrayal, and violence. Westlake introduced Parker in the 1962 novel The Hunter, published under the pseudonym Richard Stark. The character of Parker was unlike many other protagonists in crime fiction—he was cold, calculating, and relentless, driven by a single-minded pursuit of his criminal endeavors.
The Parker novels, which Westlake continued to write throughout his career, became some of the most respected works in crime fiction. Parker’s ruthless efficiency and the lean, stripped-down prose of the Stark novels garnered widespread acclaim, and the series is considered a classic of the genre. The success of the Parker series also led to several film adaptations, including Point Blank (1967), starring Lee Marvin, and Payback (1999), starring Mel Gibson, both of which brought Parker to the big screen in gritty, violent adaptations.
Westlake’s ability to write across different tones and styles was evident in the contrast between the dark, unflinching Stark novels and his lighter, more humorous work written under his own name. His versatility as a writer allowed him to explore both the grim realities of crime and the absurdities of human behavior, making him a unique and influential figure in the world of fiction.
Transition to Film and Television
In addition to his work as a novelist, Donald E. Westlake also ventured into screenwriting. His first major success in this medium came in 1972 when he adapted his novel The Hot Rock for the screen. The film, a lighthearted heist caper starring Robert Redford, showcased Westlake’s knack for combining crime with humor, a hallmark of much of his work. The success of The Hot Rock opened doors for Westlake in Hollywood, and he continued to write screenplays for both film and television.
One of Westlake’s most notable achievements in screenwriting came in 1990 when he wrote the screenplay for The Grifters, based on the novel by Jim Thompson. Directed by Stephen Frears and starring John Cusack, Anjelica Huston, and Annette Bening, the film was a critical success and earned Westlake an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. The Grifters was a dark, suspenseful exploration of con artists and deception, perfectly suited to Westlake’s style and his ability to craft complex, morally ambiguous characters.
Supertrain: High-Concept Television
Donald E. Westlake’s foray into television came with the creation of Supertrain, an ambitious and expensive series produced by NBC in 1979. Co-created with Earl W. Wallace, Supertrain was envisioned as a futuristic action-adventure show set aboard a nuclear-powered luxury train that could travel at unprecedented speeds across the United States. The train, complete with swimming pools, nightclubs, and other extravagant amenities, served as the setting for a series of mysteries, romances, and adventures involving the passengers on board.
Despite its grand concept and significant financial investment, Supertrain was a commercial failure, lasting only nine episodes before being canceled. The show’s elaborate sets and special effects, combined with production challenges, contributed to its demise. Supertrain is often remembered as one of the most expensive television flops in history, a reputation that has endured despite the show’s potential as an innovative, high-concept series.
For Westlake, Supertrain represented a rare misstep in a career otherwise marked by success. However, his involvement in the show demonstrates his willingness to experiment with new ideas and his ability to apply his storytelling skills to different mediums. Supertrain remains a fascinating chapter in Westlake’s career, and the show has gained a cult following in the years since its cancellation.
Later Career and Legacy
Following the brief run of Supertrain, Donald E. Westlake returned to his roots in crime fiction, continuing to write novels and screenplays throughout the 1980s and 1990s. His ability to craft engaging, character-driven stories remained as strong as ever, and he continued to explore new ideas while staying true to the crime genre that had defined much of his career.
Westlake’s later work included the Dortmunder series, a collection of humorous crime novels centered around John Dortmunder, a hapless thief whose heists never go as planned. The Dortmunder novels provided a lighter counterpoint to the darker, more violent Parker novels, showcasing Westlake’s ability to blend comedy with crime. The character of Dortmunder became one of Westlake’s most beloved creations, and the series further cemented his legacy as a master of the heist genre.
Westlake continued to write until his death on December 31, 2008, leaving behind a remarkable body of work that spans novels, short stories, screenplays, and television. His influence on crime fiction is profound, and his ability to craft compelling stories across different genres and formats makes him one of the most respected writers of his generation.
Donald E. Westlake’s contributions to both literature and television reflect his versatility and creativity as a storyteller. Whether writing dark, hard-edged crime fiction under the pseudonym Richard Stark or crafting humorous, character-driven heists as Donald Westlake, he remained a vital force in the world of fiction. His work continues to inspire readers, writers, and filmmakers alike, and his legacy endures through the many adaptations and reprints of his novels. Though Supertrain may be remembered as a high-profile failure, it is just one example of Westlake’s willingness to push boundaries and explore new creative territories.