Richard Compton

Directing

Richard Compton

Born March 2, 1938 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Died August 11, 2007 · aged 69

Richard Compton was a director, primarily for television, after starting his career as an actor in the 1950s in government propaganda movies, eventually moving to television in the 60s, where he was best known for portraying a Romulan in several episodes of Star Trek. He directed movies in the 60s with very limited success before moving to directing for television in the 70s and 80s.

Known For

Babylon 5: The GatheringBabylon 5: The Gathering · 1993
Babylon 5: The Gathering
★ 6.51993
MovieScience FictionAction
The feature-length pilot for this Emmy award-winning show. Babylon 5 is the latest in a series of space stations built by humans. The Vorlon ambassador, Kosh, has been poisoned. It is the new commanding officer, Jeffrey Sinclair, who has the responsibility of finding the culprit. Otherwise, the space station will fail in its role of bringing many alien races together.
Macon County LineMacon County Line · 1974
Macon County Line
★ 5.91974
MovieDramaAction
A vengeful Southern sheriff is out for blood after his wife is brutally killed by a pair of drifters. Low-budget film set in Georgia in 1953 and at the time of release, purported to be based on a true story.
The California KidThe California Kid · 1974
The California Kid
★ 6.31974
MovieActionThriller
A sadistic small-town sheriff has a habit of deliberately forcing speeders to their deaths on the mountain roads leading into town. The brother of one of the victims rolls into town in his hot rod to investigate his brother's death.
Deadman's CurveDeadman's Curve · 1978
Deadman's Curve
★ 5.41978
MovieDramaHistory
Things were cool. Chicks were pretty. Waves were groovy. Cars had muscle. Jan and Dean rode their wave to the top of the pop charts. Then, in 1966, on their way to becoming rock and roll legends, they have to cope with a devastating car crash that leaves Jan brain-damaged and their dreams shattered.
Home for the HolidaysHome for the Holidays · 2005
Home for the Holidays
★ 6.12005
MovieDramaFamily
After their parents are killed in a terrible accident, the four McMurrin children live with their loving Aunt Martha. Martha wants to adopt the children but the town's bitter old banker stands in their way. However, the children's courage and ingenuity triumph and they become a family just before the holidays.
Welcome Home, Soldier BoysWelcome Home, Soldier Boys · 1971
Welcome Home, Soldier Boys
★ 5.21971
MovieDrama
Danny, Shooter, Fatback, and the Kid. They learned a trade in the army. Killing.
The RansomThe Ransom · 1977
The Ransom
★ 6.21977
MovieCrimeThriller
A Native American travels around a resort town, murdering cops and rich people with a high-powered crossbow, while demanding that the town's richest residents pay him money to stop the killings.
Kojak: It's Always SomethingKojak: It's Always Something · 1990
Kojak: It's Always Something
★ 6.71990
MovieThrillerDrama
After discovering the connection between a corrupt city commissioner and Colombian killers, Kojak is framed for the murder of a call girl and is prosecuted by former police detective Crocker, now an assistant D.A.

Filmography

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Isle of the Snake PeopleIsle of the Snake People · 1971
Isle of the Snake People
★ 3.11971
MovieHorror
The inhabitants of a small, remote island have been practicing voodoo rites and worshipping an evil priest named Damballah for years, but the local law officials generally turn a blind eye to this death cult's bizarre activities. Captain Labesch arrives from the mainland, determined to crack down on the island's lawlessness and clean up the ineffectual, hard-drinking police force. He appeals for assistance from wealthy plantation tycoon Carl Van Molder, who owns nearly half of the island and wields a great deal of influence over the population. Van Molder has made the study of parapsychology his life's work and believes in the secret powers of the mind. He warns Labesch not to interfere with this forgotten island's ancient ways. Also visiting is Van Molder's niece, Annabella, a temperance crusader who wants her uncle to help fund the International Anti-Saloon League. She falls in love with handsome police lieutenant Andrew Wilhelm

Props

L.A. LawL.A. Law · 1986
L.A. Law
★ 7.01986
SeriesDramaWar & Politics
L.A. Law is an American television legal drama series that ran for eight seasons on NBC from September 15, 1986, to May 19, 1994. Created by Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher, it contained many of Bochco's trademark features including a large number of parallel storylines, social drama and off-the-wall humor. It reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s, and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot-topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights, homophobia, sexual harassment, AIDS, and domestic violence. The series often also reflected social tensions between the wealthy senior lawyer protagonists and their less well-paid junior staff. The show was popular with audiences and critics, and won 15 Emmy Awards throughout its run, four of which were for Outstanding Drama Series.

Director