Richard P. Powell
Encyclopedia
Richard Pitts Powell was an American novelist.
, Powell graduated from Princeton University
in 1930 then worked at the Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger newspaper. After ten years, he joined the advertising agency N. W. Ayer & Son. Following service on Gen. Douglas MacArthur
's staff during World War II
, he returned to N.W. Ayer, where he rose to vice president of information services in 1952.
In the 1940s, Powell began writing fiction
and in 1958 was able to devote himself to writing full time. His first published books were Inner Sanctum Mysteries
, published from 1943 to 1955. His major publishing debut, The Philadelphian in 1957, spent more than six months on the bestseller list.
Richard Powell died on December 8, 1999 in Fort Myers, Florida
.
Dorchester Publishing republished Say It With Bullets in paperback in March 2006 as part of its Hard Case Crime
series. Plexus Publishing republished The Philadelphian in hardcover and paperback in November 2006. The new edition features a foreword by Robert Vaughn
and additional material from Powell and his daughter. Shell Game and A Shot in the Dark were republished by Starkhouse Press in 2008.
Biography
Born in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, Powell graduated from Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
in 1930 then worked at the Philadelphia Evening Public Ledger newspaper. After ten years, he joined the advertising agency N. W. Ayer & Son. Following service on Gen. Douglas MacArthur
Douglas MacArthur
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the...
's staff during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he returned to N.W. Ayer, where he rose to vice president of information services in 1952.
In the 1940s, Powell began writing fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
and in 1958 was able to devote himself to writing full time. His first published books were Inner Sanctum Mysteries
Inner Sanctum Mysteries
Inner Sanctum Mysteries, a popular old-time radio program that aired from January 7, 1941 to October 5, 1952, was created by producer Himan Brown. A total of 526 episodes were broadcast.-Horror hosts:...
, published from 1943 to 1955. His major publishing debut, The Philadelphian in 1957, spent more than six months on the bestseller list.
Richard Powell died on December 8, 1999 in Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 62,298 in the 2010 census, a 29.23 percent increase over the 2000 figure....
.
Novels
- Don’t Catch Me (1943)
- All Over But the Shooting (1944)
- Lay that Pistol Down (1945)
- Shoot if You Must (1946)
- And Hope to Die (1947)
- Shark River (1949)
- Shell Game (1950)
- A Shot in the Dark (1952), republished with Shell Game in 2008, ISBN 1933586184
- Say It With Bullets (1953), republished in 2006, Dorchester PublishingDorchester PublishingDorchester Publishing is a publisher of mass market paperback books. Although mostly known for romance, Dorchester also publishes horror, thriller and Western titles.-Publication lines:...
Hard Case Crime, ISBN 0843955899 - False Colors (1955)
- The Philadelphian (1957), republished in 2006, Plexus Publishing, ISBN 0937548626
- Pioneer, Go Home!Pioneer, Go Home!Pioneer, Go Home! is a satirical novel by Richard P. Powell, first published in 1959. The novel follows a New Jersey family, The Kwimpers, who relocate to Columbiana, a fictional state that resembles Florida, and squat on the side of a highway where a new bridge is being built, outraging local...
(1959), ISBN 0891760083 - The SoldierThe Soldier (novel)The Soldier is a novel, by Richard P. Powell. It was first published in 1960 by Charles Scribner's Sons, and later serialized in The Saturday Evening Post. It came out as a Bantam paperback in 1962....
(1960) - I Take this Land (1963)
- Daily and Sunday (1964)
- Don Quixote, U.S.A. (1966)
- Tickets to the DevilTickets to the DevilTickets to the Devil by Richard P. Powell is novel taking a glimpse into the world of duplicate bridge in the late Sixties. The story features characters loosely based on great players of those days, along with some fictional characters...
(1968), ISBN 0910791414 - Whom the Gods Would DestroyWhom the Gods Would DestroyWhom the Gods Would Destroy is a novel written by Richard P. Powell. It was published in 1970 by Charles Scribner's Sons, NY. The title is currently out of print....
(1970)
Dorchester Publishing republished Say It With Bullets in paperback in March 2006 as part of its Hard Case Crime
Hard Case Crime
Hard Case Crime is an American imprint of hardboiled crime novels founded in 2004 by Charles Ardai, also known as the founder of the Internet service Juno Online Services, and Max Phillips....
series. Plexus Publishing republished The Philadelphian in hardcover and paperback in November 2006. The new edition features a foreword by Robert Vaughn
Robert Vaughn
Robert Francis Vaughn, , is an American actor noted for stage, film and television work. His best known roles include the suave spy Napoleon Solo in the 1960s television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., wealthy detective Harry Rule in the 1970s television series The Protectors, Albert Stroller in...
and additional material from Powell and his daughter. Shell Game and A Shot in the Dark were republished by Starkhouse Press in 2008.
In film
- The Philadelphian was made into the movie The Young PhiladelphiansThe Young PhiladelphiansThe Young Philadelphians is a 1959 drama film starring Paul Newman, Barbara Rush and Alexis Smith, and directed by Vincent Sherman. Robert Vaughn was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The film is based on the novel The Philadelphian by Richard P...
(1959), starring Paul NewmanPaul NewmanPaul Leonard Newman was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, professional racing driver and auto racing enthusiast...
, Barbara RushBarbara RushBarbara Rush is an American stage, film, and television actress.-Career:A student at the University of California, Santa Barbara, Barbara Rush performed on stage at the Pasadena Playhouse before signing with Paramount Pictures...
and Robert VaughnRobert VaughnRobert Francis Vaughn, , is an American actor noted for stage, film and television work. His best known roles include the suave spy Napoleon Solo in the 1960s television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., wealthy detective Harry Rule in the 1970s television series The Protectors, Albert Stroller in...
, who received an Academy Award nomination for his role. - Pioneer, Go Home! was made into a 1962 film renamed Follow That DreamFollow that DreamFollow That Dream is a 1962 musical film starring Elvis Presley made by Mirisch Productions. The movie was based on the 1959 novel Pioneer, Go Home! by Richard P. Powell. Producer Walter Mirisch liked the song Follow that Dream and retitled the picture...
, starring Elvis PresleyElvis PresleyElvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
. - The 1971 Woody AllenWoody AllenWoody Allen is an American screenwriter, director, actor, comedian, jazz musician, author, and playwright. Allen's films draw heavily on literature, sexuality, philosophy, psychology, Jewish identity, and the history of cinema...
movie BananasBananas (film)Bananas is a 1971 comedy film written by Mickey Rose and Woody Allen, directed by Allen, and starring himself and Louise Lasser. Parts of the plot were based on the book Don Quixote, U.S.A. by Richard P. Powell. It was filmed on location in New York City, Lima , and various locations in Puerto...
also uses elements of Don Quixote, U.S.A. in its plot.