TonyD

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/...8GJ1I880.shtml

did a search but didnt see anything.

"(AP) Richard Fleischer, who directed several memorable films from sci-fi classics such as "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" to war movies as "Tora! Tora! Tora!", has died. He was 89.

Fleischer died Saturday of natural causes at the Motion Picture and Television Hospital in Woodland Hills, said his son, Mark...."

What Did He Say?

CoreyII

I believe he also directed Conan the Destroyer. And if I'm not mistaken I think he is the relative of Dave and Max Fleischer (the Superman and Popeye cartoons).

Robert Crawford

Max was his father and Dave his uncle. He directed some fine films and below is a partial list of his films. He would've been 90 this year, so he lived a long life. May he R.I.P.

• Compulsion
• The Narrow Margin
• Follow Me Quietly
• Armored Car Robbery
• Violent Saturday
• The Vikings
• Barabbas
• Fantastic Journey
• The Boston Strangler
• The New Centurions
• Soylent Green
• Tora!Tora!Tora!
• Conan the Destroyer
• Dr. Dolittle
• The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing
• 20,0000 Leagues Under the Sea

Crawdaddy

G.W. McLintock: Camille, you're on your own.

Simon Howson

Woah, that is sad. As chance would have it, I watched Fantastic Voyage last night! Interesting in that it was cut fast, even by the standards of late CinemaScope.

The Narrow Margin remains an inspirational piece of low budget film making. That film alone puts him above 85% of film makers working now in my book.

Steve Christou

Wow sad news, a varied career, Fleischer directed two of my favorite sci-fi films, the Disney classic 20.000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Fantastic Voyage. Other favorites include The Vikings and Tora! Tora! Tora!

Governer Schwarzenegger, who starred in two of his films praised Fleischer as "a true Hollywood legend. He was a man of great talent and an extraordinary director who leaves behind a legacy of amazing films."

RIP

Chris Gerhard

One night in the early 70's I stayed up late watching "Compulsion", I think it was over at 2 am or so, and had a 7 am tee time. I remember getting to the course barely on time but right before my friend who looked as tired as I did who had done the same thing. We discussed the film and I speculated Orson Welles had directed it but checked Leonard Maltin's guide that afternoon and found differently. I have seen many of his films since then, he was a fine director.

Chris

eric tengren

This guy was one of the most underrated directors. he made excellent films in many genres.Mr.Majestyk was a personal favorite and the Boston Strangler.The Narrow Margin is the ultimate noir in a can.It is a shame that directors of so called "b" pictures do not get the recognition they deserve. Seek out this man's work.
R.I.P.

Simon Howson

I agree with Scorsese when he says often the B films are more interesting. Less money sometimes equaled more freedom.

To me Fleischer was a professional, as you point out, he could work in many different genres, but still make an excellent film. I don't me "professional" in the condescending "uninspired / generic" sense. I mean it in the Vincente Minnelli sense, working within the studio system to produce films that represent dedication to film making as an art.

A film I failed to mention earlier is the Robert Wagner, war film called Between Heaven and Hell (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049004/) I think that's a Fleischer film that has been under rated.

JackKay

Very sad indeed. Lovely man who did great commentaries.

Just Tell Me When to Cry: A Memoir, is a book he wrote.

You arn't dead until you read your Obituary in Variety.

Robert Crawford

Yes, it was one of his films. The man direced many films over the course of 40 years or more. Early in his career, he directed shorts then graduated to "B" films, mostly film noirs and from there up to "A" films. Even some of his films that the critics thought were average or bad, I liked personally, as an example "Barabbas".

By the way, Fox is releasing two of his films in May on dvd. They are "Compulsion" and "These Thousand Hills".




Crawdaddy

G.W. McLintock: Camille, you're on your own.

RobertR