Richard Brooks was a famous American screenwriter, novelist, film director and producer, who was nominated for eight Oscars. He was born in Philadelphia and there started his way to fame. Read more about his life story, including education, career, achievements and memories of his colleagues on philadelphiaski.com.
The beginning of the path and the first success
Reuben Sax was the real name of the boy who was born on May 18, 1912. His parents originated from the Russian Empire. Due to the constant persecution of Jews, they moved to the USA. In Philadelphia, the family found employment and later Reuben was born.
The young man graduated from schools in the city and then studied journalism for two years at a local educational institution. There, he also played for the baseball team but then dropped out as the family was going into debt to pay for his education. Moreover, Reuben ran away from home and traveled for a long time. Still, he returned to his hometown to find a job as a journalist.
During the Great Depression, Reuben Sax began using the pseudonym Richard Brooks. In 1943, he officially changed his name.
All his sports articles were published in the local newspaper under this signature. Then he moved to New York, where he held a position at the World-Telegram and then at the radio station WNEW.
In 1938, he started writing plays. Two years later, he tried himself as a director in the theater but failed. One day he decided to go to Los Angeles to develop his career in the film industry. He did not find a job in the cinema but was hired by the NBC branch to create unique stories and read them for the daily 15-minute program Sidestreet Vignettes.
In 1941, he married actress Harriette Levin. After that, he wrote scripts for the studio where his wife worked.
After the outbreak of the Second World War, he went to serve in the Marine Corps film unit. During his service, he learns a lot about the basics of filmmaking. At this time, he created a novel The Brick Foxhole, which was dedicated to the problems of the vision of some soldiers of the US Army in society. The book was later made into a film that brought him popularity. The movie became the first one about anti-Semitism to be nominated for an Oscar.
Director’s achievements and character
After the first successful films, his career took off. He was offered new contracts for directing and also adapted his own bestsellers. The following works became the most popular: Blackboard Jungle, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, In Cold Blood, Looking For Mr. Goodbar and Elmer Gantry. The last one brought Brooks an Oscar nomination for best-adapted screenplay.
In 1992, Richard Brooks died at home surrounded by loved ones due to heart disease. During his vivid life, he gained a reputation as a persistent person with a difficult character.
Richard often engaged in controversy with colleagues at work and with managers. Actors who dealt with him noted his skill. However, due to outbursts of anger and imbalance, few could tolerate such a director.
In one of the interviews, actress Debbie Reynolds recalled that when she was just starting her career, Richard hit her in the face while others tried to pull him away from her. The young actress lacked experience but Brooks didn’t care. She also remembered how heavy equipment fell on the man’s leg during the filming but colleagues noticeably delayed helping. That revealed a general dislike for the authoritarian director.
The best way to describe the famous director from Philadelphia is to follow his own opinion:
‘I’m sure you all have your own ideas about what you can contribute to this film, what you can do to improve it or make it better. Keep silent. This is my movie and I will make it my way!’
This is what Brooks said before the start of shooting the next film.
Richard Brooks received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the film industry.
