Writing

Oliver Drake

Born May 28, 1903 · Boise, Idaho, USA

Died August 19, 1991 · aged 88

Oliver Drake was an American screenwriter and director, primarily known for his contributions to the Western genre. Over his career, he wrote and directed numerous low-budget Westerns, including Today I Hang (1942). Drake's work was instrumental in shaping the B-Western film landscape during the 1930s and 1940s.

Known For

West of the DivideWest of the Divide · 1934
West of the Divide
★ 5.21934
MovieActionWestern
Ted Hayden impersonates a wanted man and joins Gentry's gang only to learn later that Gentry was the one who killed his father.
The DrifterThe Drifter · 1932
The Drifter
★ 6.01932
MovieDramaWestern
A man known as The Drifter returns home to his cabin in the woods and winds up getting involved with an escaped convict, a gunfighter, lumber company rivals, mysterious family ties and murder.
The Mummy's CurseThe Mummy's Curse · 1944
The Mummy's Curse
★ 5.51944
MovieHorrorFantasy
After being buried in quicksand for the past 25 years, Kharis is set free to roam the rural bayous of Louisiana, as is the soul of his beloved Princess Ananka, still housed in the body of Amina Mansouri, who seeks help and protection at a swamp draining project.
Dragoon Wells MassacreDragoon Wells Massacre · 1957
Dragoon Wells Massacre
★ 7.21957
MovieWestern
A cavalry officer, the sole survivor of an Indian attack, and a wagon load of prisoners travel through hostile Indian country.
The Feathered SerpentThe Feathered Serpent · 1948
The Feathered Serpent
★ 6.11948
MovieComedyCrime
In order to learn the location of a fabled Aztec treasure, a professor kidnaps his colleague, the only man able to read the ancient Aztec script that is supposed to reveal the location of the treasure. Charlie Chan and his #1 and #2 sons journey to the jungles of Mexico to find the victim and bring the kidnapper and his gang to justice.
The Renegade RangerThe Renegade Ranger · 1938
The Renegade Ranger
★ 6.01938
MovieWestern
Two Texas Rangers have their worlds rocked by a wrongfully accused female bandit.
The Las Vegas StranglerThe Las Vegas Strangler · 1968
The Las Vegas Strangler
★ 5.11968
MovieHorrorThriller
Previously lost proto-slasher that chronicles the life of murderous psychotic, Jeff Murray, whose perverted mother obsession leads him on a blood-soaked rampage across the glitter of Sin City.
Rainbow Over the RockiesRainbow Over the Rockies · 1947
Rainbow Over the Rockies
★ 9.01947
MovieWestern
Driving a herd of cattle to market, Jimmy finds the trail has been fenced off by an old friend of his. While the two sides try to settle the matter peaceably, a man from each outfit get together to try and start a range war between them figuring they will end up with the cattle. When cattle are rustled, Jimmy finds the clue, horses with shoes that make tracks that look like cattle.

Filmography

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Sharad of AtlantisSharad of Atlantis · 1936
Sharad of Atlantis
★ 4.41936
MovieActionFantasy
Crash Corrigan, a recent graduate of Annapolis, and Diana, a go-getting reporter, join Professor Norton for a search for the source of a string of earthquakes, Atlantis. They ride Prof. Norton's rocket submarine searching the sea and little Billy Norton, the professor's son stows away, of course. When they find Atlantis they are caught in a war between peaceful Atlanteans, note their white capes, and war-monging Atlanteans, note their black capes. After many harrowing moments for Crash, Diana, Prof. Norton and Billy, they barely get away with their lives when they escape a tower of Atlantis raised to the surface for the sole purpose of dominating or destroying the Earth (Which one depends on the compliance of the upper world dwellers.)

Screenplay