Samuel Hoffenstein (October 9, 1890 - October 6, 1947) was a screenwriter and a musical composer. Born in Russia, he immigrated to the United States and began a career in New York City as a newspaper writer and in the entertainment business. In 1931 he moved to Los Angeles where he lived for the rest of his life where he wrote the scripts for over thirty movies. These movies included Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Phantom of the Opera, and The Wizard of Oz. In addition, Hoffenstein, along with Cole Porter and Kenneth Webb, helped compose the musical score for The Gay Divorce, the stage musical that became The Gay Divorcee on film. He died in Los Angeles, California. A book of his verse, Pencil in the Air, was published 3 days after his death to critical acclaim.