Matinee Classics - Howard Hawks Biography & Filmography

Howard Hawks DIRECTOR

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HOWARD HAWKS BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Howard Hawks, director, screenwriter, and producer, was quite possibly the most versatile filmmaker of his time. Having pictures in almost every genre, notable ones more impressively, made this man one of America’s greatest. As well as his variety, he managed to inject various techniques and motifs into all of his works, making many of them the American classics we love today.

Hawks was born May 30, 1896 in Goshen, Indiana. About the time the motion picture industry was taking roots in Hollywood, his family relocated to California. He graduated from Cornell University with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1917, and then went on to be an assistant prop man at the Mary Pickford Company before joining the military. After his service was done, Hawks decided to move back to California to start a career in films. His first gigs were as an assistant director for “In Again, Out Again” (1917), “The Little Princess” (1917), “Go and Get It” (1920), “Dinty” (1920), and “Bob Hampton of Placer” (1921). In 1922, Hawks was hired as a screenwriter for Paramount and did work on approximately sixty films, although many of them do not credit him as a contributing writer.

In 1923, he debuted in his producing career, with “Quicksands”, which he also wrote. However, his real fame arrived when he started directing features. His first job as director was for Fox’s “The Road to Glory” (1926). He also doubled as the screenwriter for this picture. Hawks’ reputation as a director become known after he made eight silent films in the 1920s, but he further exploited his talent with his transition to sound. The adventure “The Dawn Patrol” (1930), the prison themed “The Criminal Code” (1931), and the ocean escapade “Tiger Shark” (1932) were among his first talkies. His star began to really shine, though, when he directed, produced, and helped write the controversial and hugely successful gangster flick “Scarface” (1932). He further became involved with the film by giving himself as small uncredited role. With its release, Hawks was hurled to the front of the directorial ranks.

He also directed the screwball comedy classic “Bringing Up Baby” (1938). The director followed up with the macho adventure “Only Angels Have Wings” (1939) and the romantic comedy classic “His Girl Friday” (1940). Continuing into the forties, he found even more hits. “Sergeant York” (1941), starring Gary Cooper, became the highest grossing film of the year, also bringing in two Academy Awards. In 1944, Hawks adapted one of Ernest Hemingway’s books, and “To Have and Not to Have” was born. It also began the famous and loved Hollywood pairing of Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart. They went on to appear in another one of the director’s pictures, “The Big Sleep” (1946), a version of Raymond Chandler’s famous mystery novel. He next worked on the western drama “Red River” (1948), which turned John Wayne into a superstar. Hawks made a few more movies before also launching the iconic Marilyn Monroe’s film career with the comedy “Monkey Business” (1952) and musical “Gentleman Prefer Blondes” (1953) that featured Monroe singing “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend”. The director again worked with John Wayne in “Rio Bravo” (1959) and “Hatari!” (1962).

After the sixties, Hawks career slowed due to his age. He made the sporty action drama “Red Line 7000” (1965) before loosely remaking “Rio Bravo” twice – “El Dorado” (1966) and “Rio Lobo” (1970). While he was only nominated for Best Director once (for “Sergeant York” in 1942), he was bestowed an Honorary Award from the Oscars in 1975 for being “a master American filmmaker whose creative efforts hold a distinguished place in world cinema”. Hawks passed away on December 26, 1977 in Palm Springs, California at the age of eighty one. Married three times, he was survived by his four children. For his contribution to the motion picture industry, he has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Filmography

1971 The French Connection

1970 Rio Lobo

1966 El Dorado

1965 Red Line 7000

1964 Man's Favorite Sport?

1962 Hatari!

1959 Rio Bravo

1955 Land of the Pharaohs

1953 Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

1952 Full House

1952 The Big Sky

1952 Monkey Business