Irwin R. Blacker; Author, Professor, Book Reviewer

Irwin R. Blacker--author, professor emeritus at the USC School of Cinema and Television and a book reviewer for The Times--died early Saturday at Sherman Oaks Community Hospital after a heart attack at his home in Sherman Oaks. He was 65.

A graduate of Ohio University who received his doctorate in English at Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Blacker taught at Purdue University in Lafayette, Ind., before joining the USC faculty in 1964.

Blacker was the author of numerous nonfiction pieces, motion picture scripts, television screenplays and book reviews focusing on the movie and video industries.

Blacker’s 22 published works included novels that ranged from such period dramas as “Taos”--the story of the Pueblo Indian revolt in the 1680s--to modern historical treatments, including “The Middle of the Fire,” a chronicle of the emerging nation of Israel.

He leaves his wife, Ethel, three daughters and a grandson. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. today at Westwood Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Irwin R. Blacker Writing Scholarship Fund at USC.