Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace (1875-1932) was a prolific British crime writer, journalist and playwright, who wrote 175 novels, 24 plays, and countless articles in newspapers and journals.Over 160 films have been made of his novels, more than any other author. In the 1920s, one of Wallace's publishers claimed that a quarter of all books read in England were written by him.He is most famous today as the co-creator of "King Kong", writing the early screenplay and story for the movie, as well as a short story "King Kong" (1933) credited to him and Draycott Dell. He was known for the J. G. Reeder detective stories, The Four Just Men, the Ringer, and for creating the Green Archer character during his lifetime.
For a 20th-century author he has had the greatest number of novels made into movies.
Father of Bryan Edgar Wallace , who followed in his fathers footsteps as a writer of thrillers, some of which were filmed.
Was an early mentor of director Carol Reed.
In his heyday, he was one of the most popular writers in the UK, second only to Charles Dickens.
Almost 30 years after his death there was a sudden explosion of popularity for his works due to British--and especially German--feature films based on his stories. The were also numerous TV adaptations produced in the UK.
He died while in Hollywood working on a film project that would become King Kong . He had only been in the country for three months before succumbing to double pneumonia in February 1932.
In the movie Agatha Christie: A Life in Pictures his opinion about the disappearance of Agatha Christie in 1926 is mentioned.
Father of Eleanor Clare Hellier Wallace, Bryan Edgar Wallace , Patricia Marion Caldecott Wallace, Michael Blair Wallace and Penelope Wallace , grandfather of Penelope Wyrd, half-brother of Marriott Edgar , uncle of Hindle Edgar.
Was an inveterate gambler.
Although his estate consisted mostly of debts, the ongoing popularity of his works through continuing royalties put his estate in the black within two years of his death.
Wallaces outlook was prolific. During he 1920s alone he wrote 170 novels, 170 plays and hundreds of short stories, a prodigious output. Excluding the Bible and textbooks, a fourth of all the books manufactured in the U.K were written by him.
After suffering business losses due to his his experience with British Lion Films, Wallace ran for a seat in Parliament on the Liberal Party ticket for Blackpool. He was defeated.
In 1927 he was elected chairman of the board of British Lion Films. He received 10000 pounds worth of stock, 1000 for each one of his works filmed by the company, 10% of the companys annual profits and an annual salary of 500 pounds. The deal was not particularly lucrative for him, although he acted and directed in many of the films made from his works.
The only contribution of his that would make it into the finished King Kong was the idea of giving Kong human characteristics.
More than 160 films have been made based on his work.
Formed British Lion Film Corporation with S.W. Smith as managing director in 1928. Their first film was The Squeaker., a silent film.
An Academic is someone who has found something more interesting than,sex.
What is a highbrow? He is a man who has found something more interesting than women. .
