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A descendant of Hume the Philosopher, London-born author Cyril Hume was educated at Yale University. During the 1920s, Hume proved a worthy rival of Fitzgerald with such lost-generation novels as Wife of the Centaur and Cruel Fellowship. He came to films in 1930, when MGM engaged him to write dialogue for the Grace Moore musical New Moon. During the 1930s, he was principal writer of MGM's "Tarzan" films, bringing prestige to these escapist exercises by treating them with dignity and respect. During this period, he began collaborating with future "James Bond" scenarist Richard Maibaum, who later credited Hume as being the single most importance influence on his own work. Remaining at MGM until 1957, Hume continued to work on such well-received efforts as Forbidden Planet and Ransom (both 1956). The brother of actress Benita Hume, Cyril Hume was from 1930 to 1934 married to screen leading lady Helen Chandler.