Six Screen Plays by Robert Riskin

By Pat McGilligan and Robert Riskin

Book Overview

Screenwriter Robert Riskin (1897-1955) was a towering figure even among the giants of Hollywood's Golden Age. Known for his unique blend of humor and romance, wisecracking and idealism, Riskin teamed with director Frank Capra to produce some of his most memorable films. Pat McGilligan has collected six of the best Riskin scripts: Platinum Blonde (1931), American Madness (1932), It Happened One Night (1934), Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), Lost Horizon (1937), and Meet John Doe (1941). All of them were directed by Capra, and although Capra's work has been amply chronicled and celebrated, Riskin's share in the collaboration has been overlooked since his death. McGilligan provides the "backstory" for the forgotten half of the team, indispensable counterpoint to the director's self-mythologizing autobiography--and incidentally the missing link in any study of Capra's career.

Riskin's own career, although interrupted by patriotic duty and cut short by personal tragedy, produced as consistent, entertaining, thoughtful, and enduring a body of work as any Hollywood writer's. Those who know and love these vintage films will treasure these scripts. McGilligan's introduction offers new information and insights for fans, scholars, and general readers.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520205251
• ISBN13: 9780520205253
• Release Date: April 1997
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 771 Pages
• Weight: 2.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.3" x 1.5" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Screenplay writing at its best

This is an excellent book on the great movies made by Frank Capra-but brought to the imgaination of Robert Riskin.How enjoyable it was to read them,especially "It Happenned One Night" one of my favorites. A must for any classic movie buff.