Rudy Behlmer
Acting
Biography
Rudy Behlmer (October 13, 1926 – September 27, 2019) was an American film historian and writer. He was an expert in the history and evolution of the motion picture industry. Behlmer began his career with KLAC-TV in Hollywood as a stage manager. At the beginning of the 1960s, Behlmer started researching and writing articles on various aspects of film history. One such project, a career piece on film producer David O. Selznick (Gone with the Wind, Rebecca), led to his book Memo from David O. Selznick (1972). It was followed by nine other books as well as numerous magazine articles and film music recording booklets. Behlmer also contributed to a wide variety of works about the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Known For
The Dick Cavett Show has been the title of several talk shows hosted by Dick Cavett on various television networks.
The Dick Cavett Show
The astonishing story of the genesis, production, worldwide success, and legacy of King Kong (1933), directed by Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, a landmark of cinema, one of the most influential motion pictures in history.
RKO Production 601: The Making of “Kong, the Eighth Wonder of the World”
U.S. network TV special surveying the history of Robin Hood in popular culture, emphasizing the 1991 film "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves". Interviews with principal cast and crew from that film highlight the special. Pierce Brosnan hosts.
Robin Hood: The Myth, the Man, the Movie
A documentary about the life of Errol Flynn, with recollections from friends and family.
The Adventures of Errol Flynn
This documentary focuses on 1939, considered to be Hollywood's greatest year, with film clips and insight into what made the year so special.
1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
The epic story of how the film The African Queen (1951), directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn, was shot on real African locations, barely overcoming all kinds of hardships and disasters.
Embracing Chaos: Making The African Queen
Produced for Turner Classic Movies, this documentary looks at the early days of the gangster film.
Public Enemies: The Golden Age of the Gangster Film
An appreciation and the story of the making of the 1941 film "The Maltese Falcon."
The Maltese Falcon: One Magnificent Bird
The history of Frankenstein's journey from novel to stage to screen to icon.
The 'Frankenstein' Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster
A documentary about the making of, and legacy of, the Forbidden Planet movie.
Amazing! Exploring the Far Reaches of Forbidden Planet
A look at the forces that shaped Pre-Code Hollywood and brought about the strict enforcement of the Hays Code in 1934.
Thou Shalt Not: Sex, Sin and Censorship in Pre-Code Hollywood
Documentary featured on the Classic Monster Collection and Monster Legacy Collection for The Mummy (1932).
Mummy Dearest: A Horror Tradition Unearthed
An overview of the making of John Huston's 1948 classic "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre."
Discovering Treasure: The Story of 'The Treasure of the Sierra Madre'
An insider's account of Jack Warner, a founding father of the American film industry. This feature length documentary provides the rags to riches story of the man whose studio - Warner Bros - created many of Hollywood's most classic films. Includes extensive interviews with family members and friends, film clips, rare home movies and unique location footage.
Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul
Documentary about how the creative energies of Darryl F. Zanuck and John Ford combined to forge an enduring masterpiece despite the challenges of wartime production.
Backstory: 'How Green Was My Valley'
A biography on the life of William Powell narrated by Michael York.
William Powell: A True Gentleman
A documentary from Universal about the movie "The Invisible Man" (1933) directed by James Whale.
Now You See Him: 'The Invisible Man' Revealed!
The behind-the-scenes story of how "Casablanca" became an American film classic.
Casablanca: An Unlikely Classic
An overview of the iconic actresses' legendary careers, as well as the rivalry that colored "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?"
Bette and Joan: Blind Ambition
Documentary about the work of film director Michael Curtiz.