Raphael David Blau (August 11, 1912 – March 31, 1996) was an American screenwriter who co-wrote the story for Bedtime for Bonzo (1951), among other film productions.
Blau was raised in New York City and London.His first film credit was for Mother Is a Freshman (1949).Based on seeing research speculation that a chimpanzee might be able to be raised like a human child, he conceived of the Bedtime for Bonzo story.He shared a script with his brother-in-law, Ted Berkman, and becoming partners on this and other projects, both received a story credit for the film.Fear Strikes Out (1957) brought Blau and Berkman their greatest acclaim.
In 1962, Blau and his wife Helen moved to Nova Scotia.Their son Joel Blau is a professor at Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare in New York.Their daughter Deborah Blau is a graphic artist and tour guide who lives in New York City.