Stirling Silliphant

Writing

Stirling Silliphant

Born January 15, 1918 · Detroit, Michigan, USA

Died April 26, 1996 · aged 78

Stirling Dale Silliphant (January 16, 1918 – April 26, 1996) was an American screenwriter and producer. He is best remembered for his screenplay for In the Heat of the Night, for which he won an Academy Award in 1967, and for creating the television series Naked City, Perry Mason, and Route 66. Other features as screenwriter include the Irwin Allen productions The Towering Inferno and The Poseidon…

Known For

The Poseidon AdventureThe Poseidon Adventure · 1972
The Poseidon Adventure
7.21972
MovieAdventureDrama
When their ocean liner capsizes, a group of passengers struggle to survive and escape.
Over the TopOver the Top · 1987
Over the Top
6.51987
MovieActionDrama
Lincoln Hawk a hard-luck big-rig trucker takes us under the glaring Las Vegas lights for all the boisterous action of the World Armwrestling Championship. Relying on wits and willpower, Hawk tries to rebuild his life by capturing the first-place prize money, and the love of the son he abandoned years earlier into the keeping of his rich, ruthless father-in-law.
The Towering InfernoThe Towering Inferno · 1974
The Towering Inferno
7.01974
MovieActionDrama
At the opening party of a colossal—but poorly constructed—skyscraper, a massive fire breaks out, threatening to destroy the tower and everyone in it.
The EnforcerThe Enforcer · 1976
The Enforcer
6.71976
MovieCrimeAction
Dirty Harry Callahan returns again, this time saddled with a rookie female partner. Together, they must stop a terrorist group consisting of angry Vietnam veterans.
In the Heat of the NightIn the Heat of the Night · 1967
In the Heat of the Night
7.71967
MovieCrimeDrama
African-American Philadelphia police detective Virgil Tibbs is arrested on suspicion of murder by Bill Gillespie, the racist police chief of tiny Sparta, Mississippi. After Tibbs proves not only his own innocence but that of another man, he joins forces with Gillespie to track down the real killer. Their investigation takes them through every social level of the town, with Tibbs making enemies as well as unlikely friends as he hunts for the truth.
The New CenturionsThe New Centurions · 1972
The New Centurions
6.61972
MovieCrimeDrama
An idealistic rookie cop joins the LAPD to make ends meet while finishing law school, and is indoctrinated by a seasoned veteran. As time goes on, he loses his ambitions and family as police work becomes his entire life.
ShaftShaft · 1971
Shaft
6.41971
MovieCrimeThriller
Cool Black private eye John Shaft is hired by a crime lord to find and retrieve his kidnapped daughter.
TelefonTelefon · 1977
Telefon
6.61977
MovieThrillerAction
Nicolai Dalchimski, a mad KGB agent steals a notebook full of names of "sleeping" undercover KGB agents sent to the U.S. in the 1950's. These agents got their assignments under hypnosis, so they can't remember their missions until they're told a line of a Robert Frost poem. Dalchimski flees to the U.S. and starts phoning these agents who perform sabotage acts against military targets.

Movies

The Poseidon AdventureThe Poseidon Adventure · 1972
The Poseidon Adventure
7.21972
MovieAdventureDrama
When their ocean liner capsizes, a group of passengers struggle to survive and escape.
Over the TopOver the Top · 1987
Over the Top
6.51987
MovieActionDrama
Lincoln Hawk a hard-luck big-rig trucker takes us under the glaring Las Vegas lights for all the boisterous action of the World Armwrestling Championship. Relying on wits and willpower, Hawk tries to rebuild his life by capturing the first-place prize money, and the love of the son he abandoned years earlier into the keeping of his rich, ruthless father-in-law.
The Towering InfernoThe Towering Inferno · 1974
The Towering Inferno
7.01974
MovieActionDrama
At the opening party of a colossal—but poorly constructed—skyscraper, a massive fire breaks out, threatening to destroy the tower and everyone in it.
The EnforcerThe Enforcer · 1976
The Enforcer
6.71976
MovieCrimeAction
Dirty Harry Callahan returns again, this time saddled with a rookie female partner. Together, they must stop a terrorist group consisting of angry Vietnam veterans.
In the Heat of the NightIn the Heat of the Night · 1967
In the Heat of the Night
7.71967
MovieCrimeDrama
African-American Philadelphia police detective Virgil Tibbs is arrested on suspicion of murder by Bill Gillespie, the racist police chief of tiny Sparta, Mississippi. After Tibbs proves not only his own innocence but that of another man, he joins forces with Gillespie to track down the real killer. Their investigation takes them through every social level of the town, with Tibbs making enemies as well as unlikely friends as he hunts for the truth.
The New CenturionsThe New Centurions · 1972
The New Centurions
6.61972
MovieCrimeDrama
An idealistic rookie cop joins the LAPD to make ends meet while finishing law school, and is indoctrinated by a seasoned veteran. As time goes on, he loses his ambitions and family as police work becomes his entire life.
ShaftShaft · 1971
Shaft
6.41971
MovieCrimeThriller
Cool Black private eye John Shaft is hired by a crime lord to find and retrieve his kidnapped daughter.
TelefonTelefon · 1977
Telefon
6.61977
MovieThrillerAction
Nicolai Dalchimski, a mad KGB agent steals a notebook full of names of "sleeping" undercover KGB agents sent to the U.S. in the 1950's. These agents got their assignments under hypnosis, so they can't remember their missions until they're told a line of a Robert Frost poem. Dalchimski flees to the U.S. and starts phoning these agents who perform sabotage acts against military targets.
NightfallNightfall · 1956
Nightfall
6.91956
MovieCrimeThriller
An innocent man turns fugitive as he reconstructs events that implicate him for a murder and robbery he did not commit.
The Killer EliteThe Killer Elite · 1975
The Killer Elite
5.81975
MovieCrimeAction
Mike Locken is one of the principal members of a group of freelance spies. A significant portion of their work is for the CIA, and while on a case for them one of his friends turns on him and shoots him in the elbow and knee. His assignment, to protect someone, goes down in flames. He is nearly crippled, but with braces is able to again become mobile. For revenge as much as anything else, Mike goes after his ex-friend.
The SwarmThe Swarm · 1978
The Swarm
5.11978
MovieScience FictionHorror
Scientist Dr. Bradford Crane and army general Thalius Slater join forces to fight an almost invisible enemy threatening America; killer bees that have deadly venom and attack without reason. Disaster movie-master Irwin Allen's film contains spectacular special effects, including a train crash caused by the eponymous swarm.
A Walk in the Spring RainA Walk in the Spring Rain · 1970
A Walk in the Spring Rain
5.71970
MovieRomanceDrama
A sophisticated, middle-aged grandmother, wed to a New York law professor, falls in love with a down-to-earth Tennessee farmer.
Village of the DamnedVillage of the Damned · 1960
Village of the Damned
7.21960
MovieHorrorScience Fiction
In a small English village everyone suddenly falls unconscious. When they awake every woman of child bearing age is pregnant. The resulting children have the same strange blond hair, eyes and a strong connection to each other.
MarloweMarlowe · 1969
Marlowe
6.11969
MovieCrimeMystery
Mysterious Orfamay Quest hires Los Angeles private investigator Philip Marlowe to find her missing brother. Though the job seems simple enough, it leads Marlowe into the underbelly of the city, turning up leads who are murdered with ice picks, exotic dancers, blackmailed television stars, and self-preserving gangsters. Soon, Marlowe's life is on the line right along with his case.
MaracaiboMaracaibo · 1958
Maracaibo
6.51958
MovieDrama
A firefighter is sent to Venezuela to battle a blazing oil well but still finds time for romance.
When Time Ran Out...When Time Ran Out... · 1980
When Time Ran Out...
5.41980
MovieActionAdventure
An active volcano threatens a south Pacific island resort and its guests as a power struggle ensues between the property's developer and a drilling foreman.
Murphy's WarMurphy's War · 1971
Murphy's War
6.21971
MovieDramaWar
Murphy is the sole survivor of his crew, that has been massacred by a German U-Boat in the closing days of World War II. He is rescued, and ends up at a forgotten mission station near the mouth of the Orinoco, and begins to plot his vengeance. He wishes to sink the U-Boat by means of any method imaginable to him, and sets about to make the courageous attempt, assisted by Louis, the administrator of the local oil company.
5 Against the House5 Against the House · 1955
5 Against the House
5.91955
MovieCrimeDrama
Former war-time Army buddies now students in college decide to rip off a Reno casino.
The Grass HarpThe Grass Harp · 1996
The Grass Harp
5.91996
MovieComedyDrama
Based on the novel by Truman Capote, this often-witty coming-of-age drama looks at a young man growing up with an unusual family in the Deep South in the 1940s. Becoming an orphan in 1935, Collin moves to his dad's cousins Verena and Dolly. Verena is a rich, bossy businesswoman. Dolly, Collin and the maid revolt, moving to a tree house.
Huk!Huk! · 1956
Huk!
5.21956
MovieActionDrama
After 14 years in the United States, Greg Dickson returns to his family's plantation in the Philippines to settle his slain father's estate. Boyhood friend Bart Rogers and his wife Cindy meet Greg's plane at Manila, but he dismisses their warnings about the marauding Huks, fanatic guerrillas who are plundering nearby plantations. They repulse a Huk attack on the way to the plantation and are met by Stephen Rogers, Bart's father and the village schoolteacher. With him is Philippine Army Major Balatbat who tells Greg that Kalak, leader of the Huks and murderer of Greg's father, is also after him.
Circle of IronCircle of Iron · 1978
Circle of Iron
5.51978
MovieActionAdventure
In a mystical desert kingdom, young martial arts fighter Cord loses a contest to determine who will journey to take the powerful Book of All Knowedge from Zetan, an evil wizard. Despite his lack of a sponsor, Cord's rule-breaking nature leads him to try retrieving the book anyway. Help is offered by a mysterious blind man who gives advice as Cord fights his way through multiple opponents, discovering more about himself as he gets closer to Zetan.
The Slender ThreadThe Slender Thread · 1965
The Slender Thread
7.11965
MovieDrama
Alan is a Seattle college student volunteering at a crisis center. One night when at the clinic alone, a woman calls up the number and tells Alan that she needs to talk to someone. She informs Alan she took a load of pills, and he secretly tries to get help. During this time, he learns more about the woman, her family life, and why she wants to die. Can Alan get the cavalry to save her in time before it's too late?
Shaft in AfricaShaft in Africa · 1973
Shaft in Africa
6.11973
MovieAdventureCrime
Detective John Shaft travels incognito to Ethiopia, then France, to bust a human trafficking ring.
CharlyCharly · 1968
Charly
6.51968
MovieDramaRomance
An experiment on a simpleton turns him into a genius. When he discovers what has been done to him he struggles with whether or not what was done to him was right.

TV Shows

Perry MasonPerry Mason · 1957
Perry Mason
7.71957
SeriesMysteryDrama
The cases of master criminal defense attorney Perry Mason and his staff who handled the most difficult of cases in the aid of the innocent.
Dick Powell's Zane Grey TheatreDick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre · 1956
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
6.21956
SeriesWesternDrama
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre, sometimes simply called Zane Grey Theatre, is an American Western anthology series which ran on CBS from 1956 to 1961.
Naked CityNaked City · 1958
Naked City
5.71958
SeriesDramaCrime
Naked City is a police drama series which aired from 1958 to 1963 on the ABC television network. It was inspired by the 1948 motion picture of the same name, and mimics its dramatic “semi-documentary” format. In 1997, the episode “Sweet Prince of Delancey Street” was ranked #93 on TV Guide’s “100 Greatest Episodes of All Time”.
Route 66Route 66 · 1960
Route 66
6.71960
SeriesDramaCrime
After discovering that his late father has gone through most of the family fortune, Tod Stiles hits the title trans-America highway in his Corvette in search of adventure with friend Buz Murdock, a survivor of New York's mean streets. The two work odd jobs as they meet and interact with colorful characters and find themselves plunged into one situation after another, some of them romantic, some of them very dangerous. Later, Linc Case, a Vietnam war hero trying to find himself, takes over as Tod's travel companion.
Alfred Hitchcock PresentsAlfred Hitchcock Presents · 1955
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
7.81955
SeriesMysteryDrama
A television anthology series hosted by Alfred Hitchcock featuring dramas, thrillers, and mysteries.
M SquadM Squad · 1957
M Squad
5.41957
SeriesCrimeDrama
Lt. Frank Ballinger is a no-nonsense plain clothes cop in the elite M Squad Division. The Squad's task is to root out organised crime and corruption in America's Second City, Chicago.
Mr. LuckyMr. Lucky · 1959
Mr. Lucky
6.71959
SeriesDrama
Mr. Lucky is a CBS adventure/drama television series that aired from October 24, 1959, to June 18, 1960, with repeats until September 3. Blake Edwards developed the program as a retooling of his Willie Dante character from Four Star Playhouse, where the role was played by studio boss Dick Powell. In the 1960–1961 season, Howard Duff assumed the role of Willie Dante in the NBC adventure/drama series Dante. Mr. Edwards directed and co-wrote the first episode of Mr. Lucky, and the credits of the first eighteen episodes included "Entire production supervised by Blake Edwards." Jack Arnold produced the show and directed fifteen of the thirty-four episodes. Henry Mancini's smooth theme music for the show reached Number 21 in the US singles charts. He released two successful LP's based on the show, Mr. Lucky and Mr. Lucky Goes Latin.
Alcoa TheatreAlcoa Theatre · 1957
Alcoa Theatre
7.01957
SeriesDrama
Alcoa Theatre is a half-hour American anthology series telecast on NBC at 9:30 pm on alternate Monday nights from October 7, 1957 to September 16, 1960. The program also aired under the title Turn of Fate, with the stories depicting the difficulties faced by individuals who are suddenly thrust into unexpected and perilous dangers. Alcoa Theatre was syndicated together with Goodyear Theatre as Award Theatre. In 1955, The Alcoa Hour premiered in a one-hour format aired on Sunday nights, but it was reduced to 30 minutes, retitled Alcoa Theatre, and moved to Monday evening in 1957. The show employed an alternating rotating company of actors: David Niven, Robert Ryan, Jane Powell, Jack Lemmon and Charles Boyer. Each appeared in dramatic and light comedic roles through the first season.
SuspicionSuspicion · 1957
Suspicion
6.21957
SeriesCrimeDrama
Suspicion is the title of an American television mystery drama series which aired on the NBC from 1957 through 1959. The executive producer of Suspicion was film director Alfred Hitchcock.
Salem's LotSalem's Lot · 1979
Salem's Lot
6.81979
SeriesMystery
Ben Mears has returned to his hometown to write a book about the supposedly haunted Marsten House. When people around the Marsten House start dying mysteriously, Mears discovers that the owner of the mansion is actually a vampire who is turning them into an army of undead slaves.
LongstreetLongstreet · 1971
Longstreet
7.01971
SeriesDrama
Longstreet is an American crime drama series that was broadcast on the ABC in the 1971-1972 season. A 90-minute pilot movie of the same name aired prior to the debut of the series as an ABC Movie of the Week.
SpaceSpace · 1985
Space
7.71985
SeriesDrama
A 13-hour miniseries detailing James A. Michner's fictional account of the American space program from the years after World War II to the Apollo landings on the moon in the early 1970s.
Mussolini: The Untold StoryMussolini: The Untold Story · 1985
Mussolini: The Untold Story
5.31985
SeriesDrama
The rise and fall of Italy's fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. Recounting his life with his wife, children and mistress, this biography (based on the recollections of Mussolini's eldest son, Vittorio) chronicles Il Duce's tyranny as he plunges Italy into the dark days of World War II.
PearlPearl · 1978
Pearl
6.01978
SeriesDrama
Miniseries about the events leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Brotherhood of the RoseBrotherhood of the Rose · 1989
Brotherhood of the Rose
6.91989
Series
Romulus and Remus were picked up at an orphanage at a young age, raised together as brothers and trained to supersede every other CIA agents.