Richard Murphy
Richard Murphy was an American screenwriter and director known for his work in film during the mid-20th century. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he began his career as a journalist before transitioning to screenwriting. Murphy wrote scripts for films such as Boomerang! (1947)... Read full bio →
The Kidnapping of the President
Based on a Charles Templeton novel, Secret Service chief Jerry O'Connor leads a game of cat and mouse when a gang of Latin-American terrorists kidnap the current U.S. President Adam Scott while he is on a state trip to Toronto, Canada.
The Wackiest Ship in the Army
Lieutenant Rip Crandall is hoodwinked into taking command of the "Wackiest Ship in the Navy" – a real garbage scow with a crew of misfits who don't know a jib from a jigger. What none of them knows, including Crandall, is that this ship has a very important top-secret mission to complete in waters patrolled by the Japanese fleet.
Compulsion
Two close friends, arrogantly and without remorse, kidnap and murder a young boy. They are caught and put to trial where their larger-than-life defense lawyer blames the Establishment for their actions.
Broken Lance
Cattle baron Matt Devereaux raids a copper smelter that is polluting his water, then divides his property among his sons. Son Joe takes responsibility for the raid and gets three years in prison. Matt dies from a stroke partly caused by his rebellious sons and when Joe gets out he plans revenge.
The Desert Rats
In North Africa, German Field Marshal Rommel and his troops have successfully fended off British forces, and now intend to take Tobruk, an important port city. A ramshackle group of Australian reinforcements sent to combat the Germans is put under the command of British Captain MacRoberts.
Les Miserables
Jean Valjean, a Frenchman of good character, has nevertheless been convicted for the minor crime of stealing bread. A minor infraction leads to his pursuit by the relentless policeman Javert, a pursuit that consumes both men's lives for many years.
Panic in the Streets
A medical examiner discovers that an innocent shooting victim in a robbery died of bubonic plague. With only 48 hours to find the killer, who is now a ticking time bomb threatening the entire city, a grisly manhunt through the seamy underworld of the New Orleans Waterfront is underway.
Deep Waters
A state welfare agent (Jean Peters) persuades a Maine lobsterman (Dana Andrews) to take a troubled orphan boy (Dean Stockwell) aboard.
Cry of the City
Gangster Martin Rome is seriously wounded during a gun-battle where he has killed a policeman. Police Lieutenant-Detective Candella, who is an old friend of the Rome family, is trying to solve another murder where he suspects Rome may have been involved. When Rome escapes from the hospital, Candella investigates the case and has to chase Rome.
Boomerang!
The true story of a prosecutor's fight to prove the innocence of a man accused of a notorious murder.
X Marks the Spot
A private detective, soon to enlist in the army, is drawn into one final case when his police officer father is killed in the line of duty. Soon his prime suspect is murdered as well, and he finds himself framed for the crime.
Back in the Saddle
Gene returns from the East with new ranch owner Tom Bennett to find everyone's cattle dying. Blaine has reopened the copper mine and the waste is poisoning the water supply. While Gene is away Tom confronts the miners and a man is killed in the ensuing gunfight. Now Gene not only has the dying cattle problem but his ranch owner is in jail.