Richard Thorpe

This article is about the film director. For other people, see Richard Thorpe (disambiguation).
Richard Thorpe
Richard Thorpe in 1934
Born
Rollo Smolt Thorpe

(1896-02-24)February 24, 1896
Hutchinson, Kansas, United States
DiedMay 1, 1991(1991-05-01) (aged 95)
Palm Springs, California, United States
Resting placeAshes scattered into the Pacific Ocean
OccupationFilm director
ChildrenJerry Thorpe

Richard Thorpe (born Rollo Smolt Thorpe; February 24, 1896 – May 1, 1991) was an American film director best known for his long career at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.[1]

His obituary called him "a capable and versatile director willing to take on any assignment the studio handed him." He said "I just take them on as they come."[2]

Thorpe also said "I'm happy to do any kind of picture. If there's a good script I think any director can make a good picture. Actually if it says in the script what you do, I don't see why anybody can't make it."[3]

One associate said "“He was a company man, a very pleasant, good-looking, nice, well-behaved guy who took pride in being efficient like some businessman would take pride in the way he ran his bank.”[4]

His two favorite films were Night Must Fall (1937) and Two Girls and a Sailor (1944). "They were new and different experiences," said Thorpe.[2]

For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Thorpe has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6101 Hollywood Blvd. In 2003 a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in Palm Springs, California was dedicated to him and his son Jerry.[5]

  1. ^ Richard Thorpe biography at New York Times
  2. ^ a b Oliver, Myrna (4 May 1991). "R. Thorpe Director of MGM Films". The Los Angeles Times. p. A30.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference thorpe was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Harmetz p 139
  5. ^ Palm Springs Walk of Stars by date dedicated Archived 2012-10-13 at the Wayback Machine