Richard Mason

Richard Mason is best-known as the author of "The World of Suzie Wong", which became both a Broadway production starring William Shatner and a successful film.

He was born in Hale, England, educated in boarding schools, and served in the RAF in World War II as a Japanese translator. His second novel, "The Wind Cannot Read", was made into a movie, set in India, for which he wrote the screenplay some ten years after publication. His fourth novel, "The Shadow and the Peak, set in Jamaica, was made into the 1958 film "Passionate Summer". However, he is best-known for the novel "The World of Suzie Wong" which was inspired by a visit to Hong Kong. The movie by the same name starred William Holden and Nancy Kwan (which was her first film appearance).

"The Wind Cannot Read" was based on his experiences serving with the RAF in India and Burma during World War II.

He is sometimes confused with Australian producer/director Richard Mason (Richard Mason II), who was responsible for "Winter of Our Dreams", "Robbery Under Arms", and other Australian films. He was probably also not the Richard Mason who appeared in "Birdy", as he was essentially retired in Rome after his last novel, "The Fever Tree", appeared in 1962.