Richard Carlson

Actor, Director

About

Birth Place

Albert Lea, Minnesota, USA

Born

April 29, 1912

Died

November 24, 1977

Biography

Filmography

Kid Rodelo (1966)

Director

The Saga of Hemp Brown (1958)

Director

Appointment with a Shadow (1958)

Director

Riders to the Stars (1954)

Director

Four Guns to the Border (1954)

Director

Change of Habit (1969)

Bishop Finley

Photos & Videos

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It Came From Outer Space (1953) -- (Movie Clip) It's A Nice Town

It Came From Outer Space (1953) -- (Movie Clip) Like Nothing We've Ever Seen

Biography

First appearing onscreen in the screwball comedy "The Young in Heart," actor Richard Carlson began his career with a promising start. Appearing alongside stars such as Lana Turner in the light comedies "These Glamour Girls" and "Dancing Co-Ed," and Bette Davis in the melodrama "The Little Foxes," Carlson made several films a year during the early 1940s. When World War II broke out, he was on the path to becoming a Hollywood leading man. After serving in the army, Carlson returned to acting but was unable to recapture his career's previous momentum. In the '50s, he made guest appearances on various television shows before finding his niche in horror and sci-fi. In 1953, he was cast as the lead, John Putnam, in the 3D classic "It Came from Outer Space," directed by Jack Arnold. The following year, he starred in Arnold's 3D sci-fi horror film "Creature from the Black Lagoon," an instant cult classic. During this time, Carlson also began a 100-plus episode run as the star of "I Led 3 Lives"; based on the true story of Herbert Philbrick, a young communist who spied both for the F.B.I. and the Communist Party, the series ran for three years and was nominated for two Emmys. Immediately following the end of the series, Carlson went on to star in "Mackenzie's Raiders," a western set on the Texan/Mexican border. This was his last major role, but Carlson continued to make guest appearances on TV and play small parts in films until 1975.

Filmography

Life Events

1938

First film as actor

Photo Collections

Too Many Girls - Publicity Stills

Here are a few Publicity Stills from Too Many Girls (1940), starring Lucille Ball and Richard Carlson (and Desi Arnaz in a supporting role). Publicity stills were specially-posed photos, usually taken off the set, for purposes of publicity or reference for promotional artwork.

Tormented - Lobby Cards

Back Street (1941) - Behind-the-Scenes Photos

The Little Foxes - Movie Poster

The Valley of Gwangi - Lobby Card Set

Here is a set of Lobby Cards from The Valley of Gwangi (1969), featuring visual effects by Ray Harryhausen. Lobby Cards were 11" x 14" posters that came in sets of 8. As the name implies, they were most often displayed in movie theater lobbies, to advertise current or coming attractions.

Dancing Co-Ed - Scene Stills

Here are a few scene stills from MGM's Dancing Co-Ed (1939), starring Lana Turner.

Too Many Girls - Pressbook

Here is the campaign book (pressbook) for Too Many Girls (1940). Pressbooks were sent to exhibitors and theater owners to aid them in publicizing the film's run in their theater. This pressbook was prepared for the 1957 reissue.