Robert L. Richards

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Robert L. Richards
Born(1909-03-03)March 3, 1909
New York City, New York, USA
DiedJune 1984(1984-06-00) (aged 75)
Occupation Screenwriter
Years active1940-1968
Spouse Silvia Richards (1938-????)

Robert L. Richards (March 3, 1909 - June 1984) was a film screenwriter. He attended Horace Mann School (high school) and graduated from Harvard in 1932. He worked for Time magazine and the March of Time radio program and newsreel for 7 years.

Contents

Richards worked on a number of notable films of the 1940s and 1950s including Winchester '73 , Johnny Stool Pigeon , and Act of Violence . His radio work included writing for the Suspense series which aired on the CBS network from 1942 until 1962. Among Richards' numerous Suspense offerings was his critically acclaimed neogothic horror thriller entitled "The House in Cypress Canyon" broadcast on December 5, 1946. Considered one of the tautest, most chilling dramas in the Suspense canon, the now classic show featured Robert Taylor, Cathy Lewis, Hans Conried, and Howard Duff in starring roles.

Richards testified before the House Unamerican Activities Committee on September 20, 1951. He was asked about his membership in the Communist Party, and took the Fifth Amendment. His testimony was followed by that of Ann Roth Morgan Richards, his wife, who said she and Robert were married in 1949. She also took the Fifth Amendment. [1]

Filmography

Films

YearFilmCreditNotes
1940 The Ramparts We Watch Screenplay ByCo-Wrote Screenplay with "Cedric R. Worth"
1946 The Last Crooked Mile Story ByBased on a radio play
1948 One Sunday Afternoon Screenplay ByBased on the 1933 play of the same name by James Hagan
1949 Act of Violence Screenplay By
Johnny Stool Pigeon Screenplay By
1950 Winchester '73 Screenplay ByCo-Wrote Screenplay with "Borden Chase"
Kansas Raiders Story By, Screenplay By
1951 Air Cadet Story By, Screenplay ByCo-Wrote Story with "Robert Soderberg"
1955 The Indian Fighter Story By
1961 Gorgo Story By, Screenplay ByCo-Wrote Story and Screenplay With "Daniel James"
1969 Kenner Screenplay ByCo-Wrote Screenplay with "Harold Clemins"

Television

YearTV SeriesCreditNotes
1952 The Unexpected Writer2 Episodes
1953 Boston Blackie Writer1 Episode
1954 Fireside Theatre Writer1 Episode

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References

  1. Hearings. 1951.