Sims: The Enigmatic Life of a Pulp Fiction Pioneer
The life of the writer known as Sims is a tapestry of fact and fiction, often blurred by the author's own penchant for embellishment. While he claimed to have wandered through Europe, North Africa, and the Near East, and boasted of publishing philosophical works for acrobats, many of these claims remain unverified. Despite these colorful fabrications, Sims left a tangible mark on the world of pulp fiction—the sensational, low-cost magazines of the early 20th century—and the golden age of Hollywood.
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Early Life and Military Service
Born on May 30, 1902, in Des Moines, Iowa, Sims was the son of a drugstore owner and former police detective. His early adulthood was marked by instability; after his mother divorced his father, they moved to Los Angeles around 1921 (though some records suggest 1918). During this period, Sims lived intermittently in Chicago and Detroit.
His attempt at military service was brief. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1917 but was discharged in 1921, more than two years before his scheduled release, due to inaptitude (a lack of fitness or ability for the role).
The Birth of Peter Ruric and Hollywood Beginnings
In the mid-1920s, Sims adopted the pseudonym "Peter Ruric" (initially appearing as "George Ruric"). This persona accompanied his entry into the film industry, where he served as an assistant on Josef von Sternberg's films The Salvation Hunters (1925) and A Woman of the Sea (1926).
Sims' influence extended to the branding of his peers. Actress Myrna Loy credited him with inventing her stage name. According to Boris Dralyuk, editor of the Los Angeles Review of Books, Sims likely drew inspiration from the poet Mina Loy. Similarly, the name "Ruric" is believed to be a blend of Peter the Great and Rurik, the founder of the Rurikid dynasty.
The Black Mask Era and 'Fast One'
By approximately 1930, Sims had relocated to New York. This period was characterized by a dysfunctional relationship with actress Gertrude Michael and a struggle with alcoholism. Professionally, however, he flourished in the pulp scene, contributing 17 stories to Black Mask. Editor Joseph Shaw regarded him as one of the magazine's most powerful writers and a natural successor to the legendary Dashiell Hammett.
His most significant literary achievement, Fast One, began as five separate novelettes published in 1932: "Fast One", "Lead Party", "Velvet", "The Heat", and "The Dark". Sims later synthesized these into a single novel published by Doubleday in October 1933. The story, a gritty depiction of a bloody gang war in Los Angeles centered on gangster Gerry Kells, is now regarded as a nihilistic classic of the crime genre.
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Though Fast One received mixed reviews and sold poorly upon release, its influence persisted. The 1933 film Gambling Ship, starring Cary Grant, was based on these stories. The New York Times described the work as a "ceaseless welter of bloodshed and frenzy" written in a "terse staccato style." Following the firing of Joseph Shaw in 1936, Sims departed from Black Mask, though he continued to publish in Detective Fiction Weekly, Star Detective Magazine, and Gourmet.
Screenwriting and Later Works
Sims continued his career in Hollywood under the Peter Ruric name. He is best known for writing the script for the 1934 film The Black Cat. His other screenwriting credits include Affairs of a Gentleman (1934), Grand Central Murder (1942), and a 1944 adaptation of Guy de Maupassant's Mademoiselle Fifi.
In 1946, Saint Enterprises published Seven Slayers, a paperback collection of his best stories. Despite Sims' desire to be credited as Ruric, the publisher insisted on using the name Cain.
Key Facts
- Pseudonym: Primarily wrote as "Peter Ruric."
- Major Work: Fast One (1933), a seminal hardboiled novel about Los Angeles gang wars.
- Pulp Contribution: Wrote 17 stories for Black Mask magazine.
- Film Legacy: Wrote the screenplay for The Black Cat (1934).
- Industry Influence: Credited with inventing the stage name of actress Myrna Loy.
| Category | Notable Works / Associations | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| Novels | Fast One | Published by Doubleday (1933); based on 5 novelettes. |
| Pulp Magazines | Black Mask, Detective Fiction Weekly | 17 stories for Black Mask alone. |
| Screenplays | The Black Cat, Mademoiselle Fifi | Worked under the name Peter Ruric. |
| Collections | Seven Slayers | Published in 1946 by Saint Enterprises. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Peter Ruric?
Peter Ruric was the primary pseudonym used by the writer Sims for his work in Hollywood and pulp fiction. The name was likely inspired by Peter the Great and Rurik, the founder of the Rurikid dynasty.
What is the significance of the novel 'Fast One'?
Originally published as a series of novelettes in Black Mask, Fast One is now considered a classic of the crime genre, praised for its tough, nihilistic portrayal of 1930s Los Angeles.
Did Sims have a real influence on Hollywood stars?
Yes, actress Myrna Loy credited Sims (whom she knew as Peter Rurick) with inventing her stage name, possibly inspired by the poet Mina Loy.
Why is it difficult for biographers to verify Sims' life?
Verification is difficult because Sims was relatively obscure and frequently made outlandish, false claims about his past, including fake travel histories and non-existent books.
Which films did Sims contribute to?
Under his pseudonym, he wrote the script for The Black Cat (1934), Affairs of a Gentleman (1934), Grand Central Murder (1942), and Mademoiselle Fifi (1944).