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Richard Thorpe

What's After the Movie

Richard Thorpe

Richard Thorpe, whose real name is Rollo Smolt Thorpe, was an American film director. He gained fame through his long-term career at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. His versatility was remarkable as he was always ready to undertake any assignment handed to him. Some of his favorite movies include Night Must Fall (1937) and Two Girls and a Sailor (1944). His passion for the motion picture industry earned him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Richard Thorpe began his career in entertainment performing in vaudeville and onstage. He directed his first film in 1923 and went on to direct over 180 films. He worked frequently at the Poverty Row studio Chesterfield Pictures during the 1930’s. However, his contribution to the world of cinema was not without controversy. Thorpe was the original director of The Wizard of Oz (1939), but he was relieved of his duties as his scenes did not have the right air of fantasy about them. He made several films with Esther Williams, but their working relationship was strained due to difference in personalities and work ethics. Despite such hurdles, Thorpe's direct approach and ability to bring a script to life led a colleague to call him the 'most efficient director' they had ever known. Thorpe retired from the film industry in 1967.

80 movies
1 nomination

Explore the best of Richard Thorpe – top movies, iconic roles, and must-see performances!

Biography, Career & Filmography

Learn more about Richard Thorpe, including a detailed biography, career timeline, personal life insights, and complete filmography. Discover how Richard Thorpe rose to fame, their major roles, industry impact, and personal milestones in the world of film.


Given Name: Rollo Smolt Thorpe

Born: Hutchinson, Kansas, United States

Citizenship: United States

Birthday: February 24, 1896

Occupations: Film director

Years Active: 1921-1967

Children: 1

Spouses: Belva

Awards and Nominations Received by Richard Thorpe

Explore awards

Explore the awards, honors, and nominations Richard Thorpe has earned across their acting career. From prestigious wins to critical acclaim, see how their talent has been recognized by the film industry and major award bodies.


5th Directors Guild of America Awards 1952

Nomination

Feature Film

Ivanhoe

Movies Featuring Richard Thorpe

Jailhouse Rock

Jailhouse Rock

How the West Was Won

How the West Was Won

Knights of the Round Table

Knights of the Round Table

Ivanhoe

Ivanhoe

Bedevilled

Bedevilled

What Next, Corporal Hargrove?

What Next, Corporal Hargrove?

Thrill of a Romance

Thrill of a Romance

Secret of the Chateau

Secret of the Chateau

The Tartars

The Tartars

Joe Smith, American

Joe Smith, American

Big Jack

Big Jack

King of the Wild

King of the Wild

The Prodigal

The Prodigal

Three Hearts for Julia

Three Hearts for Julia

The Golden Head

The Golden Head

Grief Street

Grief Street

The Sun Comes Up

The Sun Comes Up

Follow the Boys

Follow the Boys

Vengeance Valley

Vengeance Valley

Fun in Acapulco

Fun in Acapulco

Above Suspicion

Above Suspicion

Black Hand

Black Hand

A Date with Judy

A Date with Judy

Three Little Words

Three Little Words

Killers of Kilimanjaro

Killers of Kilimanjaro

20 Mule Team

20 Mule Team

The Honeymoon Machine

The Honeymoon Machine

Malaya

Malaya

The King Murder

The King Murder

All the Brothers Were Valiant

All the Brothers Were Valiant

Barnacle Bill

Barnacle Bill

The Unknown Man

The Unknown Man

Murder at Dawn

Murder at Dawn

White Cargo

White Cargo

Athena

Athena

Green Eyes

Green Eyes

Apache Trail

Apache Trail

Love Is a Headache

Love Is a Headache

Tarzan Finds a Son!

Tarzan Finds a Son!

Tip on a Dead Jockey

Tip on a Dead Jockey

The Earl of Chicago

The Earl of Chicago

Quentin Durward

Quentin Durward

The Bad Man

The Bad Man

Man-Proof

Man-Proof

Fiesta

Fiesta

The Student Prince

The Student Prince

The Prisoner of Zenda

The Prisoner of Zenda

Her Highness and the Bellboy

Her Highness and the Bellboy

Slightly Married

Slightly Married

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

This Time for Keeps

This Time for Keeps

The Devil Plays

The Devil Plays

Cry ‘Havoc’

Cry ‘Havoc’

Wyoming

Wyoming

Tarzan Escapes

Tarzan Escapes

The Thin Man Goes Home

The Thin Man Goes Home

The Girl Who Had Everything

The Girl Who Had Everything

Carbine Williams

Carbine Williams

The Truth About Spring

The Truth About Spring

Ten Thousand Bedrooms

Ten Thousand Bedrooms

The Crowd Roars

The Crowd Roars

The Horizontal Lieutenant

The Horizontal Lieutenant

On an Island with You

On an Island with You

Wild Horse

Wild Horse

The Great Caruso

The Great Caruso

Cross-Examination

Cross-Examination

Night Must Fall

Night Must Fall

Three Loves Has Nancy

Three Loves Has Nancy

Murder on the Campus

Murder on the Campus

The Last Challenge

The Last Challenge

The Toy Wife

The Toy Wife

Challenge to Lassie

Challenge to Lassie

Tarzan’s New York Adventure

Tarzan’s New York Adventure

That Funny Feeling

That Funny Feeling

Last of the Pagans

Last of the Pagans

The King of the Kongo

The King of the Kongo

The Voice of Bugle Ann

The Voice of Bugle Ann

The First Hundred Years

The First Hundred Years

Dangerous Number

Dangerous Number

The House of the Seven Hawks

The House of the Seven Hawks

Career Timeline

Track the complete movie timeline of Richard Thorpe, including all film releases, career breakthroughs, and notable roles. Follow their journey from early performances to recent blockbusters and upcoming projects.


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