Jay Dratler was an American screenwriter and author known for his work in film noir during Hollywood's Golden Age. He wrote the screenplay for several classic films, including "Laura" and "Call Northside 777," which are considered landmarks in the genre. Dratler's ability to craft suspenseful, emotionally complex narratives made him a sought-after screenwriter in the 1940s and 1950s. In addition to his screenwriting, Dratler also wrote novels and television scripts, contributing to a variety of mediums in American entertainment.