Richard Brooks
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![Richard Brooks on set at MGM studios, 1950's](/Images/godic/202501/02/Richard_Brooks_on_set_set_at_MGM_Studios_in_the_50's5238.jpg")
![Brooks and Peter O'toole on Lord Jim set in Cambodia](/Images/godic/202501/02/Richard_Brooks_Peter_O'Toole_Lord_Jim5238.jpg")
Richard Brooks (May 18, 1912 – March 11, 1992) was an American screenwriter, film director, novelist and occasional film producer. His outstanding works as director are Blackboard Jungle (1955); Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958); Elmer Gantry (1960) – for which he won an Academy Award for Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay); In Cold Blood (1967); and Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977).