I. A. L. Diamond
I.A.L. Diamond CC '41 was a Hollywood comedy writer. At Columbia, he wrote for Spec, where he developed his pen name, and wrote several successful Varsity Shows: "You’ve Got Something There" (1938), "Fair Enough" (1939), "Life Begins in ’40" (1940), and "Hit the Road" (1941).
Diamond is, in fact, the only Columbian to have written four Varsity Show scripts (though the act is somewhat unthinkable today: the V-Show would never let a freshman write!) Diamond had even written a spare show that could have gone on during the Second World War but didn't due to a lack of potential actors.
Diamond also wrote for Spec (where he developed his pseudonym) and was editor of Jester, in addition to being a member of Philo.
He originally intended to stay at Columbia and pursue a master's, but began writing for the New York Times instead. The cast and crew of the Varsity Show now give out an annual I. A. L. Diamond Award in his honor.
