Richard L. Bare

Richard L. Bare was an influential American film and television director, producer, and screenwriter, best known for his prolific work in classic television comedy. He directed a significant portion of the popular CBS sitcom Green Acres and was a frequent contributor to the anthology series The Twilight Zone. Bare's career spanned over five decades, beginning with a series of innovative short film comedies and extending to major network television series, earning him recognition from the Directors Guild of America and a dedicated following among classic TV enthusiasts.

Early life and education

Richard Lindon Bare was born in Turlock, California, and developed an early interest in filmmaking. He attended the University of Southern California, where he studied at the renowned USC School of Cinematic Arts. His student film, So You Want to Give Up Smoking, caught the attention of Warner Bros., launching his professional career and establishing a template for the comedic instructional film format he would later perfect.

Career

Bare's professional breakthrough came with the creation of the Joe McDoakes series of short comedies for Warner Bros. in the 1940s and 1950s; he directed, wrote, and produced over sixty entries in the series, which were often shown before feature films. This success led to work in television, where he became a highly sought-after director for numerous series during the Golden Age of Television. He directed multiple episodes of iconic shows such as The Twilight Zone, 77 Sunset Strip, Maverick, and The Virginian. His most enduring television association was with producer Paul Henning on the rural comedy series Green Acres; Bare directed the vast majority of the show's episodes and served as its producer, helping to define its surreal comedic style. He also directed episodes of other Henning-produced hits like Petticoat Junction and The Beverly Hillbillies. Later in his career, he directed feature films including the cult horror-comedy The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz and authored the filmmaking guide The Film Director.

Filmography

A selected filmography highlights Bare's diverse directorial work across shorts, feature films, and television. His short film series, Joe McDoakes, includes notable entries like So You Want to Be a Detective. Feature film directing credits include This Rebel Breed and The Wicked Dreams of Paula Schultz. His extensive television work encompasses episodes of The Twilight Zone (e.g., "The Purple Testament"), Green Acres, Maverick, The Virginian, The Barbara Stanwyck Show, Cheyenne, and Lawman.

Awards and honors

For his consistent excellence in television direction, Richard L. Bare received the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Series in 1969 for his work on Green Acres. His pioneering Joe McDoakes shorts are preserved and celebrated by film historians, and his contributions to classic American television have been recognized by organizations such as the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Personal life and death

Bare was married twice, first to Mary Ellin Barrett, daughter of composer Irving Berlin, and later to actress Diane Dare, with whom he had two children. He remained active in the film community, participating in retrospectives and interviews about his work well into his later years. Richard L. Bare died of natural causes at the age of 101 in Los Angeles, California, survived by his wife and children. His long life and career provided a unique bridge from the studio system of Classical Hollywood cinema to the enduring era of network television.

Category:American film directors Category:American television directors Category:1913 births Category:2015 deaths