Summary
Matthew Rapf (October 22, 1920 – December 11, 1991) was an American film and television producer and screenwriter. He was best known for producing The Loretta Young Show, Ben Casey, and Kojak.
Matthew Rapf | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 22, 1920 New York, New York |
| Died | December 11, 1991 (aged 71) Malibu, California |
| Resting place | Hillside Memorial Park |
| Alma mater | Dartmouth College |
| Occupation(s) | Film and television producer, screenwriter |
| Spouse | Carol Rapf |
| Parent |
|
| Relatives | Maurice Rapf (brother) |
Biography edit
Matthew Rapf was born in New York City on October 22, 1920,[1][2] the son of MGM film producer Harry Rapf. His brother Maurice was a screenwriter (blacklisted in the 1940s) and film professor.[3]
After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1942, he served as a lieutenant (junior grade) in the U.S. Navy during World War II.[2][4] Returning to civilian life, he followed in his father's and brother's footsteps into filmmaking and was hired by MGM to be part of a production group headed by Charles Schnee.[5] His first credit was for writing and producing the 1948 Western Adventures of Gallant Bess.[6] In 1952 he wrote and produced the noir film The Sellout.[7] After this he worked primarily as a producer, on films such as Big Leaguer[8] and Half a Hero.
Rapf next moved into television, signing a long-term contract with NBC in 1955,[9] and producing series for them such as The Great Gildersleeve, Frontier, Jefferson Drum, and Ben Casey.[4]
In 1973 he produced the TV film The Marcus-Nelson Murders, starring Telly Savalas as police lieutenant Theo Kojak. Though not originally intended as a pilot, it became the basis of one of Rapf's most successful series, Kojak.[10] He would be nominated for three Emmy Awards for his work on the film and show.[11]
He was married to prominent real estate agent Carol Rapf.[12]
Matthew Rapf died in Malibu on December 11, 1991, after a bout of influenza.[2][4]
Filmography edit
Film edit
- 1948 Adventures of Gallant Bess (screenwriter, producer)
- 1951 No Questions Asked (associate producer)
- 1952 The Sellout (story, producer)
- 1952 Desperate Search (producer)
- 1953 Big Leaguer (producer)
- 1953 Half a Hero (producer)
Television
- 1953–1954 The Loretta Young Show (producer)
- 1953–1954 The Web (producer)
- 1955 The Challenge (TV movie; producer)
- 1955–1956 The Great Gildersleeve (producer)
- 1955–1956 Frontier (producer)
- 1957 The Web (producer)
- 1958 Jefferson Drum (producer)
- 1960 Two Faces West (producer)
- 1961–1964 Ben Casey (producer)
- 1964–1965 Slattery's People (producer)
- 1967–1968 Iron Horse (executive producer)
- 1968 Shadow on the Land (TV movie; producer)
- 1970–1971 The Young Lawyers (producer)
- 1971 Terror in the Sky (TV movie; producer)
- 1972 Hardcase (TV movie; producer)
- 1973 The Marcus-Nelson Murders (TV movie; producer)
- 1973–1978 Kojak (story, producer)
- 1975 Crime Club (TV movie; executive producer)
- 1975 One of Our Own (TV movie; executive producer)
- 1975–1976 Doctors' Hospital (executive producer)
- 1976–1977 Switch (executive producer)
- 1979 Doctors' Private Lives (miniseries; producer)
- 1979 Eischied (supervising producer)
- 1981 Gangster Wars (TV movie; executive producer)
- 1981 The Gangster Chronicles (miniseries; executive producer)
References edit
- ^ The Hollywood Reporter, Volume 320, Issues 18-34. Wilkerson Daily Corporation. 1991. p. 548. Retrieved April 10, 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b c "Rapf, Matthew". Los Angeles Times. December 12, 1991. p. A36. Retrieved April 10, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Maurice Rapf, 88, Screenwriter and Film Professor". The New York Times. Associated Press. April 18, 2003. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Matthew Rapf, Producer, 71". The New York Times. December 18, 1991. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
- ^ Schallert, Edwin (January 30, 1952). "Fairbanks Will Make Episode Film; Schary Boosts Young Producers". Los Angeles Times. p. 31. Retrieved April 10, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Motion Picture Herald. Quigley Publishing Company. 1948. p. 42. Retrieved April 10, 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ Blum, Daniel (1969). Screen World Vol. 4 1953. Biblo & Tannen Publishers. p. 12. ISBN 9780819602596. Retrieved April 10, 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Movie Group Pushes Plans In Melbourne". Orlando Evening Star. Melbourne, Florida. February 10, 1953. p. 11. Retrieved April 10, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Broadcasting. Cahners Publishing Company. 1955. p. 101. Retrieved April 10, 2019 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Movie of the Week becomes a regular". The Anniston Star. Los Angeles. AP. July 18, 1973. Retrieved April 10, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Matthew Rapf". Emmy Awards. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
- ^ "Rapf, Carol". Los Angeles Times. August 24, 2000. p. B12. Retrieved April 10, 2019 – via newspapers.com.
External links edit
- Matthew Rapf at IMDb