Robert Wise: Movies, Awards & Box Office

Robert Earl Wise (September 10, 1914 – September 14, 2005) was a prolific American filmmaker. He had a remarkable career spanning from 1934 to 2000. Wise achieved critical acclaim as a director in an impressive variety of film genres including: horror-noir, western, war, film noir, horror, science fiction, musical and drama. His meticulous preparation, often due to studio budget constraints, helped advance filmmaking. He received the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1998. Wise worked his way up in the industry, starting with odd jobs at RKO Pictures. His first screen credit was a ten-minute short subject called A Trip through Fijiland (1935). He got his first credited directing job in 1944, and his reputation for strong work ethic and for budget-minded frugality quickly grew. He was particularly known for his attention to detail and well-researched preparation. Wise always aimed to connect with the viewer and is remembered for his use of sound and optical printer techniques. Wise served the film industry in various ways, beyond directing and producing. He was President of the Directors Guild of America from 1971 to 1975 and the president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences from 1985 through 1988.