Maurice Rapf

Maurice Rapf, a veteran Hollywood screenwriter, co-founder of the Writers Guild of America and professor emeritus of Dartmouth College ' s film studies department, died Tuesday, the college reported. He was 88.

Mr. Rapf was the son of Harry Rapf, one of the pioneering executives at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and he recalled having a brief career as a child actor, portraying orphans, street urchins and assorted brats.

" That ended when I started school. My father moved from New York to Hollywood and in 1924 became a mogul at MGM. Making movies was the family business, and with parental help, it became mine as well, " he wrote in a 1990 article for the college alumni magazine.

After graduating from Dartmouth in 1935 he returned to Hollywood, where he worked as a screenwriter at several major studios and helped found the Screen Writers Guild, later renamed the Writers Guild of America.

His film credits include " Song of the South, " " Winter Carnival " and " So Dear to My Heart. " He also wrote the film text for " All About the Movies " and the autobiography " Back Lot: Growing Up With the Movies. "

Blacklisted in 1947 because of his support for the Communist Party and his union work, Mr. Rapf moved east with his family, settled in Norwich, Vt., and helped establish the Dartmouth Film Society.

He later worked in New York City as a writer, director and producer of more than 60 commercial and industrial films and reviewed films for Life and Family Circle magazines.

He returned to Dartmouth in 1967, where he began a long career as a teacher of film.

He is survived by two daughters, a son and four grandchildren.