Richard Thorpe (born Rollo Smolt Thorpe; February 24, 1896 – May 1, 1991) was an American

film director A film director controls a film's artistic and dramatic aspects and visualizes the screenplay (or script) while guiding the film crew and actors in the fulfilment of that vision. The director has a key role in choosing the cast members, p ...

best known for his long career at

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and abbreviated as MGM, is an American film, television production, distribution and media company owned by Amazon through MGM Holdings, founded on April 17, 1924 ...

Biography

Born Rollo Smolt Thorpe in

Hutchinson, Kansas Hutchinson is the largest city and county seat in Reno County, Kansas, United States, and located on the Arkansas River. It has been home to salt mines since 1887, thus its nickname of "Salt City", but locals call it "Hutch". As of the 2020 ...

, Richard Thorpe began his entertainment career performing in

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...

and onstage. In 1921 he began in

motion pictures A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...

as an actor and directed his first

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized Sound recording and reproduction, recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) ...

in 1923. He went on to direct more than one hundred and eighty films. He worked frequently at the

Poverty Row Poverty Row is a slang term used to refer to Hollywood films produced from the 1920s to the 1950s by small (and mostly short-lived) B movie studios. Although many of them were based on (or near) today's Gower Street in Hollywood, the term did ...

studio

Chesterfield Pictures Chesterfield Motion Picture Corporation, generally shortened to Chesterfield Pictures, was an American film production company of the 1920s and 1930s. The company head was George R. Batcheller, and the company worked in tandem with its sister stu ...

during the 1930s. The first full-length motion picture he directed for

MGM Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and abbreviated as MGM, is an American film, television production, distribution and media company owned by Amazon through MGM Holdings, founded on April 17, 1924 a ...

was ''Last of the Pagans'' (1935) starring

Ray Mala Ray Mala (born Ray Agnaqsiaq Wise, also known as Ach-nach-chiak ( Iñupiaq othography: ''Aġnatchiaq''); December 27, 1906 – September 23, 1952) was a prominent Native American Hollywood actor. He was one of Hollywood's Native American m ...

. At MGM, he teamed up with producer

Pandro S. Berman Pandro Samuel Berman (March 28, 1905July 13, 1996), also known as Pan Berman, was an American film producer. Early life Berman was born to a Jewish family in Pittsburgh in 1905. His father Henry was general manager of Universal Pictures durin ...

in the 1950s, with whom he made several films, including '' Ivanhoe'' (1952), ''

The Prisoner of Zenda ''The Prisoner of Zenda'' is an 1894 adventure novel by Anthony Hope, in which the King of Ruritania is drugged on the eve of his coronation and thus is unable to attend the ceremony. Political forces within the realm are such that, in orde ...

'' (1952), '' Knights of the Round Table'' (1953), '' All the Brothers Were Valiant'' (1953) and ''

The Adventures of Quentin Durward ''The Adventures of Quentin Durward'', known also as ''Quentin Durward'', is a 1955 British historical film released by MGM. It was directed by Richard Thorpe and produced by Pandro S. Berman. The screenplay was by Robert Ardrey, adapted by Geo ...

'' (1955). After directing ''The Last Challenge'' in 1967, he

retired Retirement is the withdrawal from one's position or occupation or from one's active working life. A person may also semi-retire by reducing work hours or workload. Many people choose to retire when they are elderly or incapable of doing their j ...

from the film industry. His two favorite films were ''

Night Must Fall ''Night Must Fall'' is a play, a psychological thriller, by Emlyn Williams, first performed in 1935. There have been three film adaptations, '' Night Must Fall'' (1937); a 1954 adaptation on the television anthology series ''Ponds Theater'' sta ...

'' (1937) and ''

Two Girls and a Sailor ''Two Girls and a Sailor'' is a 1944 American musical film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Van Johnson, June Allyson and Gloria DeHaven. Set on the American homefront during World War II, it's about two singing sisters who create a lavish ...

'' (1944).

''Wizard of Oz''

Thorpe is also known as the original director of '' The Wizard of Oz''. He was fired after two weeks of shooting because it was felt that his scenes did not have the right air of fantasy about them. Thorpe notoriously gave

Judy Garland Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10, 1922June 22, 1969) was an American actress and singer. While critically acclaimed for many different roles throughout her career, she is widely known for playing the part of Dorothy Gale in '' The ...

a blonde wig and cutesy "baby-doll" makeup that made her look like a girl in her late teens rather than an innocent

Kansas Kansas () is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka, and its largest city is Wichita. Kansas is a landlocked state bordered by Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to the ...

farm girl of about 13. Both makeup and wig were discarded at the suggestion of

George Cukor George Dewey Cukor (; July 7, 1899 – January 24, 1983) was an American film director and film producer. He mainly concentrated on comedies and literary adaptations. His career flourished at RKO when David O. Selznick, the studio's Head ...

, who was brought in temporarily. Stills from Thorpe's work on the film survive today. Further, it is understood that bits of his filmed footage of Toto escaping from the Wicked Witch's castle are featured in the film, albeit uncredited. 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 The Palm Springs Walk of Stars is a walk of fame in downtown Palm Springs, California, where "Golden Palm Stars", honoring various people who have lived in the greater Palm Springs area, are embedded in the sidewalk pavement. The walk includes po ...

in Palm Springs, California was dedicated to him and his son Jerry.Palm Springs Walk of Stars by date dedicated
He died in Palm Springs, California on May 1, 1991.

Selected filmography

As director * ''

Rough Ridin' ''Rough Ridin' '' is a lost 1924 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Buddy Roosevelt. It was released by the Weiss Brothers on State Rights basis. The film was remade with Buddy Roosevelt in 1934 as '' Boss Cow ...

'' (1924) * ''

Battling Buddy ''Battling Buddy'' is a 1924 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Buddy Roosevelt, Violet La Plante and William Lowery. Cast * Buddy Roosevelt as Buddy West * Violet La Plante as Dorothy Parker * William Low ...

'' (1924) * ''

Bringin' Home the Bacon ''Bringin' Home the Bacon'' is a 1924 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Jay Wilsey, Jean Arthur and Bert Lindley. Cast * Jay Wilsey as Bill Winton * Jean Arthur as Nancy Norton * Bert Lindley as Joe Breed * ...

'' (1924) * ''

Thundering Romance ''Thundering Romance'' is a 1924 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Jay Wilsey, Jean Arthur and Harry Todd.Connelly, p. 421. Cast * Jay Wilsey as Lightning Bill * Jean Arthur as Mary Watkins * Rene Picot as ...

'' (1924) * ''Rarin' to Go'' (1924) * ''

The Desert Demon ''The Desert Demon'' is a 1925 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Jay Wilsey, Betty Morrissey, and Harry Todd. Plot As described in a film magazine review, Bill Davis, also known as Buffalo Bill, Jr., saves a ...

'' (1925) * ''

Double Action Daniels ''Double Action Daniels'' is a 1925 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Jay Wilsey, J.P. Lockney and D'Arcy Corrigan.Munden, p. 199. Cast * Jay Wilsey as Double Action Daniels * Lorna Palmar a Ruth Fuller * ...

'' (1925) * '' A Streak of Luck'' (1925) * ''

Galloping On ''Galloping On'' is a 1925 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Hal Taliaferro, Louise Lester, and Slim Whitaker. It was produced by the independent company Action Pictures. Location shooting took place around J ...

'' (1925) * ''

The Saddle Cyclone ''The Saddle Cyclone'' is a 1925 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Jay Wilsey, Harry Todd, and Lafe McKee. Plot As described in a film magazine review, Regan and Burns intend to foreclose a mortgage on Lowe ...

'' (1925) * '' Gold and Grit'' (1925) * '' On the Go'' (1925) * ''

Fast Fightin' ''Fast Fightin is a 1925 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Buddy Roosevelt, Nell Brantley and Joe Rickson.Munden, p. 232. Plot Cast * Buddy Roosevelt as Buddy * Nell Brantley as The Girl * Joe Rickson as T ...

'' (1925) * ''

Double Daring ''Double Daring'' is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Hal Taliaferro, Jean Arthur and Toby Wing.Munden, p. 199 It is now considered to be a lost film. Synopsis When the bank Wally Meeker works as a cl ...

'' (1926) * ''

The Bandit Buster ''The Bandit Buster'' is a 1926 American silent Western film. Directed by Richard Thorpe, the film stars Buddy Roosevelt, Molly Malone, and Lafe McKee. It was released on December 19, 1926. Plot Henry Morton is a prominent banker. His daughte ...

'' (1926) * ''

The Bonanza Buckaroo ''The Bonanza Buckaroo'' is a 1926 American silent Western comedy film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Jay Wilsey, Harry Todd, and Judith King. It was released on August 28, 1926. Plot When Buffalo Bill Jr. rescues an older woman trapp ...

'' (1926) * '' College Days'' (1926) * ''

The Dangerous Dub ''The Dangerous Dub'' is a 1926 American silent Western film. Directed by Richard Thorpe, the film stars Buddy Roosevelt, Peggy Montgomery, and Joseph Girard. It was released on July 4, 1926. Synopsis Buddy Martin, a cattle driver, is in lo ...

'' (1926) * ''

The Twin Triggers ''The Twin Triggers'' is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Buddy Roosevelt, Nita Cavalier, and Frederick Lee.Munden, p. 838 Cast * Buddy Roosevelt as Bud Trigger / Kenneth Trigger * Nita Cavalier a ...

'' (1926) * ''

Deuce High ''Deuce High'' is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Buffalo Bill Jr. (a.k.a. Jay Wilsey). Preserved in the UCLA, Library of Congress and Cinematheque Royale (Brussels) archives.Catalog of Holdings The ...

'' (1926) * ''

The Fighting Cheat ''The Fighting Cheat'' is a 1926 American silent Western film. Directed by Richard Thorpe, the film stars Hal Taliaferro, Jean Arthur, and Ted Rackerby. It was released on February 11, 1926. Cast list * Hal Taliaferro as Wally Kenyon (credited ...

'' (1926) * ''

Twisted Triggers ''Twisted Triggers'' is a 1926 American silent film, silent Western (genre), Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Hal Taliaferro, Jean Arthur and William Bertram (actor), William Bertram.Rainey p.250 Cast * Hal Taliaferro as Wal ...

'' (1926) * '' Rawhide'' (1926) * '' Between Dangers'' (1927) * ''

Tearin' Into Trouble ''Tearin' Into Trouble'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Hal Taliaferro, Olive Hasbrouck and Walter Brennan.Langman, p. 441 Cast * Hal Taliaferro as Wally Tilland * Olive Hasbrouck as Ruth Martin ...

'' (1927) * ''

Skedaddle Gold ''Skedaddle Gold'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Hal Taliaferro, Betty Baker and Bob Burns.Langman, p. 415 Cast * Hal Taliaferro as Kent Blake * Betty Baker as Wanda Preston * Bob Burns as ...

'' (1927) * ''

The Cyclone Cowboy ''The Cyclone Cowboy'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Hal Taliaferro, Violet Bird and Raye Hampton. Cast * Hal Taliaferro as Wally Baxter * Violet Bird as Norma * Raye Hampton as Ma Tuttle ...

'' (1927) * '' Pals in Peril'' (1927) * ''

White Pebbles ''White Pebbles'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Hal Taliaferro, Olive Hasbrouck and Walter Maly.Parish & Pitts p.387 Cast * Hal Taliaferro as Zip Wallace * Olive Hasbrouck as Bess Allison * Wa ...

'' (1927) * '' The Interferin' Gent'' (1927) * ''

The Ridin' Rowdy ''The Ridin' Rowdy'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Jay Wilsey, Olive Hasbrouck and Harry Todd.Parish p.81 Cast * Jay Wilsey as Bill Gibson * Olive Hasbrouck as Patricia Farris * Al Hart as Mo ...

'' (1927) * ''

The Desert of the Lost ''The Desert of the Lost'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Hal Taliaferro, Peggy Montgomery and Edward Cecil. Synopsis Having shot a man in self-defense and fled across the border into Mexico wit ...

'' (1927) * ''

Roarin' Broncs ''Roarin' Broncs'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Jay Wilsey, Ann McKay and Harry Todd.Langman, p. 377 Plot U.S. Border Patrol agent Bill Morris investigates the Tracy and Ball Ranch about an ...

'' (1927) * ''

The First Night "The First Night" is a song by American singer Monica for her second studio album, '' The Boy Is Mine'' (1998). It was written by Tamara Savage and Jermaine Dupri, featuring production and additional vocals from the latter. Built around a sample ...

'' (1927) * ''

The Meddlin' Stranger ''The Meddlin' Stranger'' is a lost 1927 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and featuring Boris Karloff. Cast * Wally Wales as Wally Fraser * Nola Luxford as Mildred Crawford * Charles K. French as Her Father * Mabel Van ...

'' (1927) * '' Ride 'em High'' (1927) * ''

The Galloping Gobs ''The Galloping Gobs'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Jay Wilsey, Morgan Brown and Betty Baker. Cast * Jay Wilsey as Bill Corbitt * Morgan Brown as Chub Barnes * Betty Baker as Mary Whippl ...

'' (1927) * ''

The Obligin' Buckaroo ''The Obligin' Buckaroo'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Jay Wilsey, Olive Hasbrouck and James Sheridan.Darby p.458 Cast * Jay Wilsey as Bill Murray * Olive Hasbrouck as Tess Cole * James Sh ...

'' (1927) * ''

Soda Water Cowboy ''The Soda Water Cowboy'' is a 1927 American silent Western film. Directed by Richard Thorpe, the film stars Hal Taliaferro, Beryl Roberts, and J. P. Lockney. It was released on September 25, 1927. Cast list * Hal Taliaferro as Wally (credite ...

'' (1927) * ''

The Cowboy Cavalier ''The Cowboy Cavalier'' is a 1928 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Buddy Roosevelt, Olive Hasbrouck and Charles K. French. Plot Cast * Buddy Roosevelt as Prince Charming - Deputy Sheriff * Olive Hasbrouck ...

'' (1928) * ''

The Ballyhoo Buster ''The Ballyhoo Buster'' is a 1928 American silent Western film. Directed by Richard Thorpe, the film stars Jay Wilsey, Peggy Shaw, and Nancy Nash. It was released on January 8, 1928. Plot After selling cattle to two strangers, Bob Warner is ...

'' (1928) * ''

The Flyin' Buckaroo ''The Flyin' Buckaroo'' is a 1928 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Hal Taliaferro, Jack D'Oise and J.P. Lockney.Quinlan, p. 342. Cast * Hal Taliaferro as Bill Mathews * Jack D'Oise as Henry Mathews * J ...

'' (1928) * ''

Saddle Mates ''Saddle Mates'' is a 1928 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Hal Taliaferro, Hank Bell and Peggy Montgomery.Langman, p. 389. Two partners seek revenge on the man who has cheated them out of their ranch. Cast ...

'' (1928) * ''

The Valley of Hunted Men ''The Valley of Hunted Men'' is a 1928 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Jay Wilsey, Oscar Apfel and Kathleen Collins.Langman, p. 483 Cast * Jay Wilsey as Tom Mallory * Oscar Apfel as Dan Phillips * Kathle ...

'' (1928) * ''

Desperate Courage ''Desperate Courage'' is a 1928 American silent Western film directed by Richard Thorpe. The film stars Wally Wales, Olive Hasbrouck, and Tom Bay. Produced by the Poverty Row studio Action Pictures, it was released by Pathé Exchange on Janua ...

'' (1928) * ''

Vultures of the Sea ''Vultures of the Sea'' is a 1928 American adventure film serial directed by Richard Thorpe. The film is considered to be lost. Cast * Johnnie Walker * Shirley Mason * Tom Santschi * Frank Hagney * Boris Karloff - Grouchy * Horace B. Carpente ...

'' (1928) * ''

The Vanishing West ''The Vanishing West'' is a 1928 American silent Western film serial directed by Richard Thorpe. The film is considered to be lost. Cast * Jack Perrin as Jack Marvin * Eileen Sedgwick as Betty Kincaid * Jack Dougherty as Jim Marvin (as Jack D ...

'' (1928) * ''

The Fatal Warning ''The Fatal Warning'' is a 1929 mystery silent film serial directed by Richard Thorpe for Mascot. The film is considered to be a lost film, with no prints known to exist. It co-starred Boris Karloff. Plot After William Rogers, a bank executive, ...

'' (1929) *'' Border Romance'' (1929) * ''

The King of the Kongo ''The King of the Kongo'' (1929) is a Mascot film serial, and was the first serial to have sound,The Utah Kid'' (1930) * ''

The Dude Wrangler ''The Dude Wrangler'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy Western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Lina Basquette, Tom Keene and Clyde Cook.Pitts p.343 Cast * Lina Basquette as Helen Dane * Tom Keene as Wally McCann (credited as ...

'' (1930) * ''

Under Montana Skies ''Under Montana Skies'' is a 1930 American western film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Kenneth Harlan, Slim Summerville and Dorothy Gulliver.Pitts p.375 It was produced and distributed by Tiffany Pictures, one of the leading independent ...

'' (1930) * ''

The Lady from Nowhere ''The Lady from Nowhere'' is a 1931 American crime film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Alice Day, John Holland and Phillips Smalley.Pitts p.89 Cast * Alice Day as Marian * John Holland as John Conroy * Phillips Smalley We ...

'' (1931) * '' The Lawless Woman'' (1931) * '' Forgotten Women'' (1931) * '' Slightly Married'' (1932) * ''

Murder at Dawn ''Murder at Dawn'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code film directed by Richard Thorpe. The film is also known as ''The Death Ray'' in the United Kingdom. Cast *Jack Mulhall as Danny *Josephine Dunn as Doris Farrington *Eddie Boland as Freddie *Marjor ...

'' (1932) * ''

The Secrets of Wu Sin ''The Secrets of Wu Sin'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code mystery film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Lois Wilson, Grant Withers and Dorothy Revier. It was made by the Poverty Row studio Chesterfield Pictures.Pitts p. 91 Main cast * Lois ...

'' (1932) * ''

Women Won't Tell ''Women Won't Tell'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code drama film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Sarah Padden, Otis Harlan and Gloria Shea. It was written by Lela E. Rogers, mother of Ginger Rogers.Pitts p. 91 Main cast * Sarah Padden ...

'' (1932) * ''

Cross-Examination In law, cross-examination is the interrogation of a witness called by one's opponent. It is preceded by direct examination (in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, South Africa, India and Pakistan known as examination-in-chief) and ...

'' (1932) * ''

Forbidden Company ''Forbidden Company'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Sally Blane, John Darrow and John St. Polis.Pitts, p. 90 Cast * Sally Blane as Barbara Blake * John Darrow as Jerry Grant * John St. ...

'' (1932) * ''

The King Murder ''The King Murder'' is a 1932 American pre-Code mystery film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Conway Tearle, Natalie Moorhead and Marceline Day.Pitts p. 90 Main cast * Conway Tearle as Detective Chief Henry Barton * Natalie Moorhead ...

'' (1932) * '' Escapade'' (1932) * '' Forgotten'' (1933) * ''

Notorious but Nice ''Notorious but Nice'' is a 1933 pre-Code American sound film drama directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Marian Marsh, Betty Compson and Don Dillaway. It was produced and distributed by B movie studio Chesterfield Motion Pictures. The film ...

'' (1933) * '' Love Is Dangerous'' (1933) * '' Green Eyes'' (1934) * ''

Secret of the Chateau ''Secret of the Chateau'' is a 1934 American mystery film directed by Richard Thorpe. The film stars Claire Dodd, Alice White, Osgood Perkins, Jack La Rue, George E. Stone and Clark Williams. On its release, reviews from ''Variety'', ''The Film ...

'' (1934) *'' The Quitter'' (1934) * '' Cheating Cheaters'' (1934) with

Fay Wray Vina Fay Wray (September 15, 1907 – August 8, 2004) was a Canadian/American actress best known for starring as Ann Darrow in the 1933 film ''King Kong''. Through an acting career that spanned nearly six decades, Wray attained international r ...

* ''

Last of the Pagans ''Last of the Pagans'' is a 1935 MGM film based on the Herman Melville novel ''Typee'' (1846). The film was shot on location in Tahiti.A Director of a Tropical Film Has A Visitor's Usual Odd Experiences: Dick Thorpe Discovers All Strange Phenome ...

'' (1935) * ''

Strange Wives ''Strange Wives'' is a 1934 American comedy film directed by Richard Thorpe, written by James Mulhauser, Barry Trivers, and Gladys Buchanan Unger, and starring Roger Pryor, June Clayworth, Esther Ralston, Hugh O'Connell, Ralph Forbes, and Cesa ...

'' (1935) * ''

Tarzan Escapes ''Tarzan Escapes'' is a 1936 Tarzan film based on the character created by Edgar Rice Burroughs. It was the third in the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ''Tarzan'' series to feature Johnny Weissmuller as the "King of the Apes". Previous films were '' Tarzan ...

'' (1936) with

Johnny Weissmuller Johnny Weissmuller (born Johann Peter Weißmüller; June 2, 1904 – January 20, 1984) was an American Olympic swimmer, water polo player and actor. He was known for having one of the best competitive swimming records of the 20th century. H ...

and

Maureen O'Sullivan Maureen O'Sullivan (17 May 1911 – 23 June 1998) was an Irish-American actress, who played Jane in the ''Tarzan'' series of films during the era of Johnny Weissmuller. She performed with such actors as Laurence Olivier, Greta Garbo, William ...

* ''

'' (1937) with Robert Montgomery and

Rosalind Russell Catherine Rosalind Russell (June 4, 1907November 28, 1976) was an American actress, comedienne, screenwriter, and singer,Obituary '' Variety'', December 1, 1976, p. 79. known for her role as fast-talking newspaper reporter Hildy Johnson in the H ...

* ''

Dangerous Number ''Dangerous Number'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by Richard Thorpe and written by Carey Wilson. The film stars Robert Young, Ann Sothern, Reginald Owen, and Cora Witherspoon, and features Dean Jagger. The film was released on Janu ...

'' (1937) with

Ann Sothern Ann Sothern (born Harriette Arlene Lake; January 22, 1909 – March 15, 2001) was an American actress who worked on stage, radio, film, and television, in a career that spanned nearly six decades. Sothern began her career in the late 1920 ...

and Robert Young * ''

Man-Proof ''Man-Proof'' is a 1938 American romantic comedy film directed by Richard Thorpe. The film is based on the 1937 novel ''The Four Marys'' written by Fannie Heaslip Lea. Plot The daughter of wealthy and famous novelist Meg Swift, Mimi is a young ...

'' (1938) with

Myrna Loy Myrna Loy (born Myrna Adele Williams; August 2, 1905 – December 14, 1993) was an American film, television and stage actress. Trained as a dancer, Loy devoted herself fully to an acting career following a few minor roles in silent films. ...

Franchot Tone Stanislaus Pascal Franchot Tone (February 27, 1905 – September 18, 1968) was an American actor, producer, and director of stage, film and television. He was a leading man in the 1930s and early 1940s, and at the height of his career was known ...

, and

Walter Pidgeon Walter Davis Pidgeon (September 23, 1897 – September 25, 1984) was a Canadian-American actor. He earned two Academy Award for Best Actor nominations for his roles in '' Mrs. Miniver'' (1942) and ''Madame Curie'' (1943). Pidgeon also starred in ...

* ''

The Toy Wife ''The Toy Wife'' is a 1938 American drama film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Luise Rainer and Melvyn Douglas. The period film was produced by Merian C. Cooper and written by Zoë Akins. Plot Set before the American Civil War, ''The T ...

'' (1938) with

Luise Rainer Luise Rainer ( , ; 12 January 1910 – 30 December 2014) was a German-American-British film actress. She was the first thespian to win multiple Academy Awards and the first to win back-to-back; at the time of her death, thirteen days shy of her ...

and

Melvyn Douglas Melvyn Douglas (born Melvyn Edouard Hesselberg, April 5, 1901 – August 4, 1981) was an American actor. Douglas came to prominence in the 1930s as a suave leading man, perhaps best typified by his performance in the romantic comedy ''Ninotchk ...

* ''

Love Is a Headache ''Love Is a Headache'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by Richard Thorpe and written by Marion Parsonnet, Harry Ruskin and William R. Lipman. The film stars Gladys George, Franchot Tone, Ted Healy, Mickey Rooney, Frank Jenks and Ralph ...

'' (1938) with

* '' The Crowd Roars'' (1938) with Robert Taylor, Edward Arnold,

Frank Morgan Francis Phillip Wuppermann (June 1, 1890 – September 18, 1949), known professionally as Frank Morgan, was an American character actor. He was best known for his appearances in films starting in the silent era in 1916, and then numerous sound ...

, and

* ''

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn ''Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'' or as it is known in more recent editions, ''The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'', is a novel by American author Mark Twain, which was first published in the United Kingdom in December 1884 and in the United St ...

'' (1939) with Mickey Rooney,

Walter Connolly Walter Connolly (April 8, 1887 – May 28, 1940) was an American character actor who appeared in almost 50 films between 1914 and 1939. His best known film is ''It Happened One Night'' (1934). Early years Connolly attended St. Xavier Coll ...

, and

William Frawley William Clement Frawley (February 26, 1887 – March 3, 1966) was an American vaudevillian and actor best remembered for playing landlord Fred Mertz in the American television sitcom '' I Love Lucy'', "Bub" O'Casey in the television comedy ser ...

* '' 20 Mule Team'' (1940) with

Wallace Beery Wallace Fitzgerald Beery (April 1, 1885 – April 15, 1949) was an American film and stage actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Bill in '' Min and Bill'' (1930) opposite Marie Dressler, as General Director Preysing in '' Grand Hotel'' ( ...

* ''

Wyoming Wyoming () is a U.S. state, state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho to the west, Utah to the south ...

'' (1940) with

* ''

The Earl of Chicago ''The Earl of Chicago'' is a 1940 American drama film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Robert Montgomery, Edward Arnold, Reginald Owen and Edmund Gwenn. It is the first MGM film in the 1940s. Plot To remedy the ill doings of his past, Ro ...

'' (1940) with Robert Montgomery * '' Barnacle Bill'' (1941) with

* '' The Bad Man'' (1941) with

, Lionel Barrymore,

Laraine Day Laraine Day (born La Raine Johnson, October 13, 1920 – November 10, 2007) was an American actress, radio and television commentator, and former Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) contract star. As a leading lady, she was paired opposite major film sta ...

, and Ronald Reagan * ''

Tarzan's New York Adventure ''Tarzan's New York Adventure'' (also known as ''Tarzan Against the World'') is a 1942 black-and-white adventure film from Metro Goldwyn Mayer, produced by Frederick Stephani, directed by Richard Thorpe, that stars Johnny Weissmuller and Maureen ...

'' (1942) with

and

* ''

White Cargo ''White Cargo'' is a 1942 film drama starring Hedy Lamarr and Walter Pidgeon, and directed by Richard Thorpe. Released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, it is based on the 1923 London and Broadway hit play by Leon Gordon, which was in turn adapted from ...

'' (1942) with Hedy Lamarr as Tondelayo * ''Above Suspicion (1943 film), Above Suspicion'' (1943) with Joan Crawford and Fred MacMurray * ''

'' (1944) with Van Johnson and June Allyson * ''The Thin Man Goes Home'' (1945) with William Powell and

* ''Thrill of a Romance'' (1945) with Esther Williams * ''Her Highness and the Bellboy'' (1945) with Hedy Lamarr and Robert Hudson Walker, Robert Walker * ''Fiesta (1947 film), Fiesta'' (1947) with Esther Williams and Ricardo Montalbán * ''This Time for Keeps'' (1947) with Esther Williams and Jimmy Durante * ''On an Island with You'' (1948) with Esther Williams, Peter Lawford, and Jimmy Durante * ''A Date with Judy (film), A Date with Judy'' (1948) with

, Jane Powell, and Elizabeth Taylor * ''Malaya (film), Malaya'' (1949) with Spencer Tracy and James Stewart * ''Big Jack (film), Big Jack'' (1949) with

, Richard Conte, Marjorie Main, and Edward Arnold * ''Challenge to Lassie'' (1949) with Donald Crisp and Alan Napier * ''Black Hand (1950 film), Black Hand'' (1950) with Gene Kelly * ''Three Little Words (film), Three Little Words'' (1950) with Fred Astaire and Red Skelton * ''The Great Caruso'' (1951) with Mario Lanza and Ann Blyth * ''The Unknown Man'' (1951) with

* ''Vengeance Valley'' (1951) with Burt Lancaster * ''Carbine Williams'' (1952) with James Stewart * '' Ivanhoe'' (1952) with Robert Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor, and Joan Fontaine * ''

'' (1952) with Stewart Granger, Deborah Kerr, and James Mason * ''The Girl Who Had Everything'' (1953) with Elizabeth Taylor, Fernando Lamas, and William Powell * '' Knights of the Round Table'' (1953) with Robert Taylor and Ava Gardner * '' All the Brothers Were Valiant'' (1953) with Robert Taylor and Stewart Granger * ''Athena (1954 film), Athena'' (1954) with Jane Powell and Debbie Reynolds * ''The Student Prince (film), The Student Prince'' (1954), based on the famous operetta, with Ann Blyth, Edmund Purdom, and the singing voice of Mario Lanza. * ''

'' (1955) with Robert Taylor and Robert Morley * ''Tip on a Dead Jockey'' (1957) with Robert Taylor and Dorothy Malone * ''Ten Thousand Bedrooms'' (1957) with Dean Martin (Martin's first non-Martin and Lewis movie) * ''Jailhouse Rock (film), Jailhouse Rock'' (1957) with Elvis Presley * ''Killers of Kilimanjaro'' (1959) with Robert Taylor and Anthony Newley * ''The House of the Seven Hawks'' (1959) with Robert Taylor * ''The Honeymoon Machine'' (1961) with Steve McQueen * ''The Tartars'' (Italian, 1961) with Orson Welles and Victor Mature * ''The Horizontal Lieutenant'' (1962) with Jim Hutton and Paula Prentiss * ''Follow the Boys (1963 film), Follow the Boys'' (1963) with Paula Prentiss * ''Fun in Acapulco'' (1963) with Elvis Presley and Ursula Andress * ''The Golden Head'' (1964) with George Sanders and Buddy Hackett * ''The Truth About Spring'' (1964) with Hayley Mills * ''That Funny Feeling'' (1965) with Sandra Dee, Bobby Darin, and Donald O'Connor * ''The Last Challenge'' (1967) with Glenn Ford and Angie Dickinson * ''The Scorpio Letters (film), The Scorpio Letters'' (1967, TV film) with Alex Cord and Shirley Eaton

References

External links

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Richard Thorpe
at TCMDB {{DEFAULTSORT:Thorpe, Richard 1896 births 1991 deaths Male actors from Kansas American male silent film actors American male stage actors People from Hutchinson, Kansas Vaudeville performers 20th-century American male actors Film directors from Kansas