Samson Raphaelson (b. New York City; 1894–1983) was a leading American playwright, screenwriter and short-story author in the first half of the 20th century. Over a single weekend he transformed his short story “Day of Atonement” into his first play, The Jazz Singer. Following its successful run on Broadway, Warner Brothers studios made it into the first successful talking picture in 1927, starring Al Jolson.