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Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

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Old 06-24-13 | 04:50 PM
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Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

It's starting to hit the wire now. The Great Richard Matheson has passed away.

Den of Geek


The man who wrote the likes of Duel, I Am Legend, Hell House and so much more has left us, at the age of 87.

We've got some sad news to report. Author and screenwriter Richard Matheson has died at the age of 87.

It's hard to know quite where to start when trying to get across just how much Matheson contributed to the world of science fiction. Amongst his novels were I Am Legend (filmed three times), The Shrinking Man, What Dreams May Come and Hell House. He also wrote many, many short stories, including the one that became one of Steven Spielberg's finest movies, Duel. Most recently, one of his short stories formed the basis of the film Real Steel.

Prolific across the big and small screen too (not least more than one contribution to The Twilight Zone), Matheson leaves behind an incredible collection of quality writing, that's had a signficant impact in the world of science fiction. His is survived by his wife and four children. Our thoughts are very much with them.

People are already sharing their favourite Richard Matheson works on Twitter, with the hashtag #RIPMatheson. There's quite a list to get through.

Rest in peace, Mr Matheson. And thank you.

This news could be spread across many forums (Book, Television, Movie). A great, great author who shall be missed.
Old 06-24-13 | 04:56 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

Sad news. He was a great writer.
Old 06-24-13 | 04:57 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

One of the best genre writers of the 20th century, IMO. RIP.
Old 06-24-13 | 04:58 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

Wow, bummer. Loved his Twilight Zone work, along with the great Amazing Stories episode, The Doll.
Old 06-24-13 | 05:18 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

In a just world he'd be a household name. I don't think a single film has captured his stories perfectly -- "I Am Legend" has been messed up a couple of times now. I remember watching "The Incredible Shrinking Man" as a kid and it blew my MIND. Anyone who likes any of the movies, TV shows based on his work need to check out his superior original writing. RIP.
Old 06-24-13 | 05:36 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

Ironically, it is nearly impossible to put into words how much the "words" of this man shaped and influenced and scared countless fans throughout his historical career. He work was simply brilliant.

Old 06-24-13 | 05:48 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

One of the greats! It always stuns me when you look over the lists of movies and televisions episodes over the years that were either based on a book, short story, screenplay, idea, teleplay, etc. by him.

My personal favorite book of his: Bid Time Return (which became Somewhere In Time - which he also wrote the screenplay which had a ton of differences from the book).
Old 06-24-13 | 05:56 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

Do we have any living television writer whose work compares with the caliber of what Richard Matheson did?

I can't think of anyone. This is depressing.
Old 06-24-13 | 05:59 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

Amazing talent.
Old 06-24-13 | 06:06 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

Didn't know Real Steel was based on a short story of his. He will definitely be missed.
Old 06-24-13 | 06:23 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

Originally Posted by Spiderbite
One of the greats! It always stuns me when you look over the lists of movies and televisions episodes over the years that were either based on a book, short story, screenplay, idea, teleplay, etc. by him.


Richard Matheson
Old 06-24-13 | 06:44 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

I Am Legend is one of my favorite books of all time.


RIP
Old 06-24-13 | 06:49 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

I Am Legend is my favorite book of all time.


RIP
Old 06-24-13 | 06:54 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

His Twilight Zone work alone makes him a legand. He wrote "Steel", "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet", and "Little Girl Lost". Probably the three best episodes of the series.
Old 06-24-13 | 08:23 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

Originally Posted by Spiderbite
My personal favorite book of his: Bid Time Return (which became Somewhere In Time - which he also wrote the screenplay which had a ton of differences from the book).
Me too...love the book, but REALLY love the movie (it's my all-time favorite film, believe it or not).
Old 06-24-13 | 08:36 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

An incredible writer. Saddens me he passed away.

RIP
Old 06-24-13 | 08:48 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

RIP. A great creator of tales.
Old 06-24-13 | 09:24 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

Originally Posted by Shannon Nutt
Me too...love the book, but REALLY love the movie (it's my all-time favorite film, believe it or not).

Last edited by DonnachaOne; 06-25-13 at 04:21 PM.
Old 06-24-13 | 10:19 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

Damn. Vince Flynn last week, and now him.
Old 06-24-13 | 10:35 PM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

It saddens me to say that 1) I wasn't aware he was still alive, and 2) as much as I've enjoyed the filmic treatments of his work throughout my life, I have read very little of his written work. I'll have to remedy that.

R.I.P. Mr. Matheson
Old 06-25-13 | 12:59 AM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

Originally Posted by Spiderbite
One of the greats! It always stuns me when you look over the lists of movies and televisions episodes over the years that were either based on a book, short story, screenplay, idea, teleplay, etc. by him.

My personal favorite book of his: Bid Time Return (which became Somewhere In Time - which he also wrote the screenplay which had a ton of differences from the book).
Not 10 minutes before I read this thread, my daughter asked my wife what movie we could watch tonight. Since I picked a move for last night, my wife chose "Somewhere in Time". I haven't seen it in years and I was every bit as riveted as I was when I first saw it.
Old 06-25-13 | 02:25 AM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

Richard's cameo in SIT:

Old 06-25-13 | 06:39 AM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

Since there is a Stephen King book club, I have always wished that had the same thing for Matheson. I know that would be unlikely but I would have joined in a heartbeat.

A few years ago I read that a compendium or omnibus type collection of his books and works was going to be released but I guess that never came to fruition.
Old 06-25-13 | 06:50 AM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

Sad. I Am Legend is one of those books that actually lives up to the hype.

I just happened to have watched The Legend of Hell House over the weekend. (I've been wanting to see it since I read the book last fall, but only recently got Netflix.) I've barely put a dent in his written stuff, which I plan to rectify. A friend said his short story collections are pretty creepy. Those will be next for me.
Old 06-25-13 | 09:57 AM
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Re: Richard Matheson - R.I.P.

I just looked up his credits on IMDB to remind myself what he's done:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0558577/?ref_=sr_1

...And I'd forgotten how much great stuff he was associated with in both movies and television. He wrote a lot of screenplays and teleplays (TV movies and TV episodes) as well as short stories and novels. The first movie he wrote, THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN, is arguably one of his best. He also wrote screenplays for several of the Corman Poe films.

I'm trying to figure out the first film or TV show with his name on it that I saw on its initial release and with films it's THE OMEGA MAN (and I read the book right afterwards) and with TV, it would have to be a Twilight Zone episode. I later caught up with lots of the earlier stuff and acquired more of his books.

But he had a great run.


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