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"The Culpepper Cattle Co." Credits: Director, Writer, Cinematographer Starring: Gary Grimes, Billy Green Bush, Luke Askew  Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Release: 1972 Set in the rugged backdrop of a1866 cattle drive, the movie captures the harsh realities and moral complexities of the era, setting it apart from more romanticized Westerns. The narrative follows the journey of young Ben Mockridge (Gary Grimes), who learns the brutal lessons of the frontier under the mentorship of reformed gunslinger Frank Culpepper (Billy Green Bush). Young Ben years for cowboy life, and joins Culpepper's cattle drive - a dangerous and deadly journey during an era marked by extreme, everyday violence. Through shootouts with outlaws and cattle rustlers, horse theft and standoffs, Ben faces increasingly violent odds, and eventually becomes disillusioned with the cowboy dream. Accolades 1973 Nominee WGA Awards, Best Drama written directly for Screen 1973 Nominee SIYAD Award, Best Foreign Film Dick Richards makes an impressive entry into the world of filmmaking with his directorial debut "The Culpepper Cattle Co." How many men do you have to kill before you become the great American cowboy? He would go on to become known for a unique storytelling ability and attention to detail, and Richards brought a level of authenticity and grittiness to the revisionist Western genre that resonated with audiences and critics alike. About the Film Richards’ vision for "The Culpepper Cattle Co." was one of stark realism, reflected in the film's grainy photography and sepia tones. The film's unflinching portrayal of violence and justice in the West, combined with Richards' ability to draw compelling performances from his cast, garnered critical acclaim and established his reputation as a filmmaker capable of blending raw, realistic storytelling with engaging cinematic experiences. Notable also as his first collaboration with Jerry Bruckheimer, this debut set the stage for Richards' future success and left an indelible mark on the Western genre. Reviews “The Culpepper Cattle Co. puts across… gruff insights about a way of life now long past.” – Jay Cocks, Time Magazine

"Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins" Credits: Director Starring: Alan Arkin, Sally Kellerman, Mackenzie Phillips and Harry Dean Stanton Studio: Warner Brothers Release: 1975 Rafferty, a disheartened, bourbon-swilling former Marine turned driving instructor (Alan Arkin) is carjacked by two peculiar women: “Mac” (Sally Kellerman) an ambitious, free-spirited aspiring country singer, and her young, irritable companion Frisbee (Mackenzie Philips). Despite his initial reluctance, Rafferty is swept up in a hapless adventure, aiming for New Orleans. The trio's journey quickly evolves into a series of misadventures, from Las Vegas to Tucson, Arizona, as they scam their way through the Southwest. With each city, their unlikely bond deepens, driven by shared escapades and the pursuit of a vague yet promising future. "Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins" is a madcap road-trip comedy with plenty of heart Rafferty wasn’t going anywhere anyway... Showcasing Richards’ talent for blending humor and character-driven storytelling, "Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins" is a road trip journey filled with misadventures and scams. Another collaboration with associate producer Jerry Bruckheimer, the movie received positive reviews for its engaging narrative and Richards' deft directorial touch. The film includes Sally Kellerman's performance of the song "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels". Reviews “...belly laughs and lots of chuckles.” ~ Richard F. Shepard, New York Times "Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins" sneaks up on you – you discover it, like a ‘sleeper.’ I found it a funny, velvety film, with the kind of tenderness that you can almost feel on your fingertips. The picture isn’t directed for straightforward excitement; it’s a sidewise vision. Dick Richards is a real southpaw. ~ Pauline Kael, New Yorker

"Farewell, My Lovely" Credits: Director Starring: Robert Mitchum, Charlotte Rampling, John Ireland and Sylvia Miles Studio: Avco Embassy Pictures Release: 1975 Set against the shadowy streets of 1941 Los Angeles, "Farewell, My Lovely" follows private detective Philip Marlowe (Robert Mitchum), hired by recently-paroled bank robber Moose Malloy to find his long-lost love, as he navigates through the murky layers of the city's criminal world. Bolstered with classic noir voice over, Marlowe runs into some shady characters, including the seductive Helen (Charlotte Rampling), who definitely has a secret or two... Replete with ruthless mobsters, corrupt officials, and duplicitous lovers, the film follows Marlowe while he untangles an intricate web of lies that challenges his own sense of justice. Accolades Academy Award, Best Supporting Actress, Sylvia Miles,1976 Edgar Allan Poe Awards, Best Picture, 1976 Richards elevates classic noir with "Farewell, My Lovely" starring Robert Mitchum I need another drink. I need a lot of life insurance. I need a vacation. And all I’ve got is a coat, a hat and a gun... This critically-acclaimed adaptation of Raymond Chandler’s classic noir novel, “Farewell, My Lovely” stars Robert Mitchum as the iconic detective Philip Marlowe. Richards' direction style would continue to focus on character performances, cementing his legacy as an "actor's director." About the Film Richards had an instinct for authentic 1940's drama, and his version of Marlowe followed DiMaggio's hitting streak while dodging punches and chasing justice. His vision breathed new life into classic characters, and Mitchum said of the movie, "This kid Richards, the director, he's got something. It'll be a good picture." Sylvia Miles portrayal of the washed-up Mrs. Florian earned a Best Supporting Actress Oscar, and the film won Best Picture from the Edgar Allen Poe Awards in 1976. Reviews “Dick Richards proves he’s a blockbuster of a talent. I think [Farewell, My Lovely] was the kind of movie Bogart would have stood in line to see.” ~ Rex Reed, New York Post "These opening shots are so evocative of Raymond Chandler's immortal Marlowe, archtypical private eye, haunting the underbelly of Los Angeles, that if we're Chandler fans we hold our breath. Is the ambience going to be maintained, or will this be another campy rip-off? Half an hour into the movie, we relax. Farewell, My Lovely never steps wrong...in the genre itself there hasn't been anything this good since Hollywood was doing Philip Marlowe the first time around. One reason is that Dick Richards, the director, takes his material and character absolutely seriously. He is not uneasy with it, as Robert Altman was when he had Elliott Gould flirt with seriousness in The Long Goodbye. Richards doesn't hedge his bet." ~ Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times "Mitchum...plays Marlowe with a delicious ease. He sounds just like Marlowe should sound." ~ Gene Siskel "The film's success lies in Mitchum's hard-boiled portrayal of Marlowe, its twisty plot and the moody atmosphere it creates through John A. Alonzo's photography. Los Angeles looms as a nighttime playground for hoods, beautiful women and suckers ready to be taken by all the glitzy signs leading them astray." ~ Dennis Schwartz Ebert, R. (1975, January 1). Farewell, My Lovely. *Chicago Sun-Times*. Ebert, R. (1975, June 17). Robert Mitchum: "Bring me a Miltown, sweetheart." *Roger Ebert*. Siskel, G. (1975, August 22). Mitchum turns a remake into a 'lovely' experience. *Chicago Tribune*, Section 3, p. 3. Schwartz, D. (2019, August 5). Farewell, My Lovely. *Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews*.

"March or Die" Credits: Director, Producer, Writer Starring: Gene Hackman, Catherine Deneuve, Terence Hill, Ian Holm, Max von Sydow  Studio: Columbia Pictures Release: 1977 Major William Foster (Gene Hackman) is a disillusioned American in the French Foreign Legion tasked with protecting archaeologists in Morocco. The film unfolds amid the harsh desert and political upheaval as Foster's legionnaires, including charismatic thief Marco Segrain (Terence Hill), face brutal conditions, internal strife, and the fierce Berber leader El Krim (Ian Holm). As tensions escalate, the discovery of a sacred sarcophagus leads to a climactic battle. The film highlights the personal struggles and moral dilemmas of its characters against the backdrop of French colonial history. Honor, redemption, and survival in "March or Die" The greatest fighting force of all time obeyed but one command: march or die. Richards’ dramatic war epic explores themes of honor, redemption, and the devastating impacts of colonialism and battle. With a cast of thousands and sweeping Spanish sets, “March or Die” was a grueling production, going on to become a blockbuster in Europe. About the Film Shot in Spain, "March or Die" was inspired by Richard's discovery that a family friend had been part of the Legion. Terence Hill was wildly popular at the time, and the film showcased his performance to an American audience. This was a grueling production during which shooting was interrupted for several weeks after Hackman was involved in an accident with a horse. Reviews “Dick Richards, who also directed “Farewell, My Lovely,” has a good eye for eccentric faces and backgrounds: he comes up with a few memorable human tableaux [in “March or Die”], as when a bunch of legionnaires stand quietly in a sepia-toned glow, listening to a pianist play “Plaisir D’Amour.” ~ Janet Maslin, New York Times Legends of Film: Dick Richards (Podcast). 28 August 2016.

"Death Valley" Credits: Director Starring: Paul LeMat, Catherine Hicks, Wilford Brimley, Peter Billingsley Studio: Universal Release: 1982 Paul Stanton sends his son Billy (Billingsley) to join his mother Sally (Hicks) and her new boyfriend Mike (LeMat) in California. While passing through Death Valley, they encounter a cowboy serial killer and his twin. When young Billy steals a piece of jewelry from a crime scene, the killers pursue the family... Richards dives headlong into horror with "Death Valley" Not even a scream escapes... Even though this slasher horror flick was largely overlooked domestically, it played to large audiences throughout the Asia. The film also marked the beginning of a longtime collaboration between Richards and Brimley.

"Man Woman and Child" Credits: Director Starring: Martin Sheen, Blythe Danner, Craig T. Nelson, Melissa Frances Studio: Paramount Release: 1983 Robert Beckwith (Sheen) and Sheila Beckwith (Danner) are happily married with two daughters, when they learn that an affair Robert had years ago produced a son, whose mother has recently died. As the family welcomes the young Jean-Claude (Dungan) into their home, they begin a complicated emotional journey toward a better understanding of love. Accolades Winner, Young Arist Award, Best Young Supporting Actress (Melissa Frances) Nominee, Young Artist Award, Best Young Actor (Sebastian Dungan) Nominee, Young Artist Award, Best Young Supporting Actress (Arlene McIntyre) Poignant family drama with emotional authenticity in "Man Woman Child" She never knew he had an affair. He never knew he had a son. It could have meant the end of their marriage. Instead, it was the beginning of a love story. Based on Erich Segal’s bestseller and written for the screen by Segal (Love Story) and David Zelag Goodman, this family drama brought Richards back to his roots as a storyteller and actor’s director. Reviews Man, Woman and Child is a sweetly dramatic picture… [with] fine performances, tautly directed." -- Variety

"Tootsie" Credits: Producer Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, Terri Garr, Bill Murray, Geena Davis, Dabney Coleman Studio: Columbia Pictures Release: 1982 Dustin Hoffman stars as Michael, an unemployed actor struggling to find work, who disguises himself as a woman named Dorothy and lands a role on a popular soap opera. His strong-willed and outspoken character’s performance empowers those around him to assert their own feelings and take more control over their lives. Along the way, Michael falls in love with Julie (Lange), which creates confusion as his true identity is revealed. Award-winning comedy celebrated by audiences and critics alike - "Tootsie" has heart What do you get when you cross a hopelessly straight, starving actor with a dynamite red sequined dress? Richards discovered, developed and produced Tootsie, which became Columbia Pictures’ highest-grossing film ever at the time — and the second highest-grossing of 1982 (surpassed only by ET). Richards and Director Sidney Pollack won the Golden Globe for Best Picture, and the film earned 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture of the Year. Tootsie is ranked on AFI’s List of 100 Greatest American Films of All Time. Accolades: 10 Academy Award Nominations 5 Golden Globe Nominations 5 BAFTA Award Nominations 7 National Society of Film Critics Award Nominations 5 New York Film Critic Award Nominations Golden Globe Winner - Best Motion Picture, Comedy Academy Award Winner - Best Supporting Actress BAFTA Winner - Best Actor National Society of Film Critics Award Winner - Best Film, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress New York Film Critic Award Winner - Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress, César Award Winner (France) - Best Foreign Film Golden Screen Winner (Germany) About the Film Filled with stellar performances by a top-notch cast, “Tootsie” was beloved by audiences and critics alike. Richards purchased the screenplay in 1977 and spent two years developing it before bringing it to Hoffman. After two rounds of studios passing on the movie, Frank Price at Columbia made the deal and gave production a green light. Shot in and around New York and New Jersey, the film has become an iconic cinematic representation of its time. Reviews Marvellous fun. - Pauline Kael, The New Yorker "Tootsie" restores the original meaning to the term “situation comedy.”  - The New York Times "Tootsie" is the kind of Movie with a capital M that they used to make in the 1940s, when they weren't afraid to mix up absurdity with seriousness, social comment with farce, and a little heartfelt tenderness right in there with the laughs. This movie gets you coming and going...The movie also manages to make some lighthearted but well-aimed observations about sexism. It also pokes satirical fun at soap operas, New York show business agents and the Manhattan social pecking order. - Roger Ebert "Tootsie." the story of a man who liberates himself by masquerading as a woman, is the funniest, most revealing comedy since "Annie Hall." - The Boston Globe This movie gets you coming and going. - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times This year's miracle is called "Tootsie." It is not just the best comedy of the year; it is popular art on the way to becoming cultural artifact. - Richard Schickel, Time Remarkably funny and entirely convincing, film pulls off the rare accomplishment of being an in-drag comedy which also emerges with three-dimensional characters. - Todd McCarthy, Variety "Tootsie" is a remarkably gentle and human pop movie that informs the term “escapism” with an almost cleansing sense of decency. - Chuck Bowen, Slant Magazine “Tootsie” is a lulu. Remarkably funny and entirely convincing, film pulls off the rare accomplishment of being an in-drag comedy which also emerges with three-dimensional characters. - Variety "Tootsie" is the best thing that's yet happened at this year end. It's a toot, a lark, a month in the country. - Vincent Canby, The New York Times In pants or skirts, Hoffman remains true to character, and his perplexity is real, especially when one girlfriend (Teri Garr) suspects he is a gay male, while the other (Jessica Lange) believes he is a lesbian female. Both actresses are excellent, and Miss Lange continues her promise to become a superstar of the 1980s. - Bob Thomas, Associated Press Sometimes a movie’s turmoil isn’t a sign of impending doom so much as one of impending brilliance. - Entertainment Weekly "Tootsie" works for three reasons: a sharp screenplay, good comic timing, and delightful performances. - James Berardinelli, ReelViews "Tootsie" is full of good movie writing, and such are its pleasures that you wonder early on why all comedies can't be this good. The problem is that it's hard to do; the trick is that "Tootsie" makes it look easy. - Bill Cosford, Miami Herald The year's best man is a lady - Jay Scott, The Globe and Mail What ultimately makes "Tootsie" linger past the giggles is its immense affection toward everyone on the screen. - Tasha Robinson, The Dissolve Dustin Hoffman's on a roll in "Tootsie," a role-reversal movie that plays like the flip side of "Victor/Victoria." Hoffman may be dressed as a woman, but this film is no drag. - Rita Kempley, Washington Post

"Heat" Credits: Director Starring: Burt Reynolds, Karen Young and Peter MacNicol Studio: Paramount Release: 1986 In Las Vegas, ex-mercenary Nick Escalante (Reynolds) works as a bodyguard, trying to save enough money to retire in Venice. His friend, Holly (Young), is brutally attacked by a mob-connected high roller, Danny DeMarco (Neill Barry). Nick helps her seek revenge, using his lethal skills to confront DeMarco and his thugs. Nick also mentors a timid gambler, Cyrus Kinnick, teaching him self-defense. Nick's gambling addiction hampers his plans, but he ultimately faces DeMarco, who meets a grim end, and Nick finally finds his way to Venice… Burt Reynolds thrills from Vegas to Venice in tense, neo-noir action thriller "Heat" Written by William Goldman based on his own novel, “Heat” has Reynolds crossing lines from private eye to vigilante who could use a few rounds of therapy - for various ailments, including gambling. The New York Times wrote: “So you think Charles Bronson is the most lethal object on two feet? That’s because you haven’t seen Heat.” Jason Statham stars in a 2016 remake directed by Simon West. Reviews “Heat is a picture of battered virtue that Raymond Chandler might well have admired.” ~ Chicago Tribune So you think Charles Bronson is the most lethal object on two feet? That’s because you haven’t seen Heat. ~ New York Times

How would Norman Rockwell do this? At thirteen years old, Richards was known by friends as a shutter-bug, since he was rarely seen without a camera. At that time, he showed the cover of a  Saturday Evening Post  to his Aunt. Richards was surprised to learn that the cover was not a photograph, but an illustration by Norman Rockwell. From that day, Richards’ pursuit became to translate Rockwell’s vision of America into his own photography.  With every assignment throughout his career, Richards always asked himself, “How would Norman Rockwell do this?” Dick Richards photographed 'The 60-second excitement' ad for Polaroid Years later, Richards photographed an ad for Polaroid. Dr. Land, the inventor of Polaroid, told Richards that Rockwell himself thought the ad — which included Nuns showing cameras to children — was exceptional.  More Photography >>

Podcast : Legends of Film Aired : August 28, 2016 Dick Richards is interviewed by Bill Carey on the Legends of Film podcast. Listen here: During this episode of the Nashville Public Library's "Legends of Film" podcast, Bill Carey talks to Director Dick Richards, who discusses the origins of making March or Die, working with the late Robert Mitchum, and the allure of the journey in filmmaking.  Nashville Public Library. (2016). *Legends of Film: Dick Richards* [Legends of Film Podcast]. Nashville Public Library. [ https://library.nashville.gov/podcasts/legends-film-podcast/legends-film-dick-richards](https://library.nashville.gov/podcasts/legends-film-podcast/legends-film-dick-richards) Accessed June 6, 2024.

Dick Richards is a pro who loves Polaroid in this 1971 promotional film. "I really get a kick out of Polaroid..." Meant to show off the latest from the photo pioneers at Polaroid, this short promotional training film has renowned photographer Dick Richards, showcasing cameras & equipment while sharing his thoughts on the brand's innovations. He demonstrates the use of Polaroid's newest models & features, and talks about what it's really like to use the equipment for shooting everyday photos. Footage provided by Periscope Film. (2020). *Polaroid Cameras 1971 Dealer Promo film "Focus 71" Model 320, Big Shot Instant Cameras 91004* [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw5aGe_K6Jg