* George Wells; Won Oscar for ‘Designing Woman’

George Wells, 91, a screenwriter who won an Academy Award for “Designing Woman” in 1957. Known for his light touch with scripts, Wells wrote, co-wrote and produced more than two dozen musicals and comedies for MGM between 1943 and 1970. Among them were the 1949 musical “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” starring Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly and the 1960s beach romp, “Where the Boys Are,” starring Paula Prentiss, George Hamilton and Connie Francis. Born in New York, Wells was the son of a vaudeville performer and writer. After graduating from New York University, Wells began his career writing radio scripts for “The Jack Pearl Show” and later, “Lux Radio Theater.” He went to work for MGM as a contract writer in 1943 and stayed with the studio until 1970. “Designing Woman,” directed by Vincente Minnelli, was the story of a sportswriter, played by Gregory Peck, who on vacation meets and marries a fashion designer, played by Lauren Bacall, only to discover how different their worlds are when they return home. On Nov. 29 in Newport Beach.