Tribute 71: Robert Towne

In our latest tribute, Janet, John, (and Pen) celebrate the life and career of a ledgendary American screenwriter and director whose career spanned over four decades... Robert Town! After graduating college he worked many odd jobs, including being a tuna fisherman, until he started taking acting classes and became friends and roommates with none other than Jack Nicholson. His breakthrough came in the form of his assistance in the script for Bonnie and Clyde (1967), and Hollywood began to notice him as a top script doctor. Towne would go on to make award-winning screenplays throuhgout the 1970s, before trying his hand at directing in the 80s. He become one of the great screenwriters of the 20th century and his work spand many films and genres including but not limited to, The Last Detail (1973), Chinatown (1974), Shampoo (1975), Personal Best (1982), Mission: Impossible (1996, 2000), and Ask the Dusk (2006). Towne made a return to television in the 2010s, working as a consulting producer and prequel miniseries based on a character in Chinatown (1974).

To learn more about this episode and others, visit the official Cinema Sounds & Secrets website!