* James C. Barnett, Jr.; Retired Writer, Producer

James C. Barnett, Jr., who wrote for radio, television and film, in addition to producing films, has died at an Encino hospital. He was 69.

A longtime resident of Van Nuys, Barnett died Wednesday of heart failure, said friend Wendy Raksin.

Born in Venice, Barnett grew up in the area and graduated from Venice High School. As a child, he took dance and acting lessons and performed with the Meglin Kiddies. As a teen-ager, he started an acting troupe called The Patchwork Players. During World War II, Barnett served as a sergeant in the 16th Photo Technical Unit in Europe. After he was discharged, Barnett worked as a radio writer on several radio dramas, including “Grand Central Station,” and was an associate on television’s “Pantomime Quiz” for several years.

Barnett later worked as a story analyst, television story editor and television executive in development for Warner Bros., said longtime friend Jim Voorhees. While at Warner Bros., Barnett helped develop television’s “F Troop,” produced the films “Black Gold” (1963) and “Chamber of Horrors” (1966) and wrote scripts for television’s “77 Sunset Strip.” He later worked as a free-lance writer, penning the film “Terminal Island” (1973) and the television movie “Death at Love House” (1976). After retiring in the early 1980s, Barnett volunteered as an arbitrator for the Writers Guild of America.

He is survived by a cousin, Dorothy Robinson of Los Angeles.

Services are private. Aftercare Cremation & Burial Society in Van Nuys is handling the arrangements. Donations can be made in Barnett’s name to the American Heart Assn.