History Creator / RaoulWalsh

Walsh continued directing and acting intermittently in the tens and twenties. but he became a full time director as a result of a 1928 freak accident. Walsh was directing and starring in a film called, ''In Old Arizona''. While driving his car down a highway, a jackrabbit in the path of the car, jumped on top and burst through the windshield. Walsh lost an eye as a result of this accident and gave up acting for good, famously [[EyepatchOfPower wearing a distinctive eyepatch]] for the rest of his life. This accident was partly recreated in ''Film/HighSierra'' with far less drastic results. As a director, Walsh directed the likes of Creator/DouglasFairbanks, Creator/JamesCagney, Creator/ErrolFlynn, Creator/HumphreyBogart, Creator/JohnWayne, Creator/RobertMitchum, Creator/SpencerTracy, Creator/ClarkGable, Creator/GregoryPeck. He's most associated with Cagney having made four films with the actor, including Film/WhiteHeat, arguably Walsh's most widely known film. He's mostly associated with FilmNoir, war films and westerns but admirers note that he made several different kinds of films. The likes of Creator/MartinScorsese admire his films set in TheGayNineties (''The Bowery'' which inspired ''Film/GangsOfNewYork'' as well as ''The Strawberry Blonde'' and ''Gentleman Jim''), which was based on his childhood. Walsh was a larger than life personality and a renowned practical joker, according to legend, after John Barrymore died, he hijacked the corpse and stashed it in Errol Flynn's room and was thrilled at his shock of horror. The page quote by Jack Warner is regarded by many as a good description of his BoisterousBruiser personality.

* ''Film/{{The Thief of Baghdad|1924}}'' (1924)

!! Selected Filmography

* ''[[Film/TheThiefOfBagdad1924 The Thief of Baghdad]]'' (1924)

* ''Film/TheRoaringTwenties'' (1939)

Walsh was the son of Irish Catholic immigrants and from an early age was drawn into the performance arts, working on stage in New York City. He eventually came into contact with Creator/DWGriffith and appeared in many films, most notably when he played John Wilkes Booth in ''Film/{{The Birth of a Nation|1915}}''. Walsh also worked as Griffith's assistant director and eventually went into films. Famously, he made a film in Mexico about Pancho Villa, ''starring Pancho Villa'' in 1914. Historians feel that his BreakthroughHit was ''Regeneration'' (1915), a proto-gangster film shot on location in New York's fading Five Points district.

Walsh was the son of Irish Catholic immigrants and from an early age was drawn into the performance arts, working on stage in New York City. He eventually came into contact with Creator/DWGriffith and appeared in many films, most notably when he played John Wilkes Booth in ''Film/TheBirthOfANation''. Walsh also worked as Griffith's assistant director and eventually went into films. Famously, he made a film in Mexico about Pancho Villa, ''starring Pancho Villa'' in 1914. Historians feel that his BreakthroughHit was ''Regeneration'' (1915), a proto-gangster film shot on location in New York's fading Five Points district.

Walsh was the son of Irish Catholic immigrants and from an early age was drawn into the performance arts, working on stage in New York City. He eventually came into contact with Creator/DWGriffith and appeared in many films, most notably he played John Wilkes Booth in ''Film/TheBirthOfANation''. Walsh also worked as Griffith's assistant director and eventually went into films. Famously, he made a film in Mexico about Pancho Villa, ''starring Pancho Villa'' in 1914. Historians feel that his BreakthroughHit was ''Regeneration'' (1915), a proto-gangster film shot on location in New York's fading Five Points district.

[[quoteright:300:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/raoulwalsh2.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:300:Walsh with his [[EyepatchOfPower one good eye]].]]

[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/raoulwalsh2.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"Walsh with his [[EyepatchOfPower one good eye]]"]]

'''Raoul Walsh''' (March 11, 1887 – December 31, 1980) was one of [[ThePioneer the pioneers]] of Hollywood, a man who had a storied career and colourful personality with which he infused into his movies. His movies are noted for being highly rambunctious, filled with [[RatedMForManly men being men]], tough women and a great sense of adventure, especially when the going was tough.

----

--> ''"To Raoul Walsh, a tender love scene is burning down a whorehouse."''

* ''Film/WhiteHeat'' (1941)

Walsh continued directing and acting intermittently in the tens and twenties. but he became a full time director as a result of a 1928 freak accident. Walsh was directing and starring in a film called, ''In Old Arizona''. While driving his car down a highway, a jackrabbit in the path of the car, jumped on top and burst through the windshield. Walsh lost an eye as a result of this accident and gave up acting for good, famously [[EyepatchOfPower wearing a distinctive eyepatch]] for the rest of his life. This accident was partly recreated in ''Film/HighSierra'' with far less drastic results. As a director, Walsh directed the likes of Creator/DouglasFairbanks, Creator/JamesCagney, Creator/ErrolFlynn, Creator/HumphreyBogart, Creator/JohnWayne, Creator/RobertMitchum, Creator/SpencerTracy, Creator/ClarkGable, Creator/GregoryPeck. He's most associated with Cagney having made four films with the actor, including Film/WhiteHeat, arguably Walsh's most widely known film. He's mostly associated with FilmNoir, war films and westerns but admirers note that he made several different kinds of films. The likes of Creator/MartinScorsese admire his films set in TheGayNineties (''The Bowery'' which inspired ''Film/GangsOfNewYork'' as well as ''The Strawberry Blonde'' and ''Gentlemen Jim''), which was based on his childhood. Walsh was a larger than life personality and a renowned practical joker, according to legend, after John Barrymore died, he hijacked the corpse and stashed it in Errol Flynn's room and was thrilled at his shock of horror. The page quote by Jack Warner is regarded by many as a good description of his BoisterousBruiser personality.

Walsh continued directing and acting intermittently in the tens and twenties. but he became a full time director as a result of a 1928 freak accident. Walsh was directing and starring in a film called, ''In Old Arizona''. While driving his car down a highway, a jackrabbit in the path of the car, jumped on top and burst through the windshield. Walsh lost an eye as a result of this accident and gave up acting for good, famously [[EyepatchOfPower wearing a distinctive eyepatch]] for the rest of his life. This accident was partly recreated in ''Film/HighSierra'' with far less drastic results. As a director, Walsh directed the likes of Creator/DouglasFairbanks, Creator/JamesCagney, Creator/ErrolFlynn, Creator/HumphreyBogart, Creator/JohnWayne, Creator/RobertMitchum, Creator/SpencerTracy, Creator/ClarkGable, Creator/GregoryPeck. He's most associated with Cagney having made four films with the actor, including Film/WhiteHeat, arguably Walsh's most widely known film. He's mostly associated with FilmNoir, war films and westerns but admirers note that he made several different kinds of films. The likes of Creator/MartinScorsese admire his films set in TheGayNineties (''The Bowery'' which inspired ''Film/GangsOfNewYork'' as well as ''The Strawberry Blonde''), which was based on his childhood. Walsh was a larger than life personality and a renowned practical joker, according to legend, after John Barrymore died, he hijacked the corpse and stashed it in Errol Flynn's room and was thrilled at his shock of horror. The page quote by Jack Warner is regarded by many as a good description of his BoisterousBruiser personality.

Walsh continued directing and acting intermittently in the tens and twenties. but he became a full time director as a result of a 1928 freak accident. Walsh was directing and starring in a film called, ''In Old Arizona''. While driving his car down a highway, a jackrabbit in the path of the car, jumped on top and burst through the windshield. Walsh lost an eye as a result of this accident and gave up acting for good, famously [[EyepatchOfPower wearing a distinctive eyepatch]] for the rest of his life. This accident was partly recreated in ''Film/HighSierra'' with far less drastic results. As a director, Walsh directed the likes of Creator/DouglasFairbanks, Creator/JamesCagney, Creator/ErrolFlynn, Creator/HumphreyBogart, Creator/JohnWayne, Creator/RobertMitchum, Creator/SpencerTracy, Creator/ClarkGable, Creator/GregoryPeck. He's most associated with Cagney having made four films with the actor, including Film/WhiteHeat, arguably Walsh's most widely known film. He's mostly associated with FilmNoir, war films and westerns but admirers note that he made several different kinds of films. The likes of Creator/MartinScorsese admire his films set in TheGayNineties (''The Bowery'' which inspired ''Film/GangsOfNewYork'' as well as ''The Strawberry Blonde''), which was based on his childhood. Walsh was a larger than life personality and a renowned practical joker, according to legend, after John Barrymore died, he hijacked the corpse and stashed it in Errol Flynn's room and was thrilled at his shock of delight. The page quote by Jack Warner is regarded by many as a good description of his BoisterousBruiser personality.

Walsh continued directing and acting intermittently in the tens and twenties. but he became a full time director as a result of a 1928 freak accident. Walsh was directing and starring in a film called, ''In Old Arizona''. While driving his car down a highway, a jackrabbit in the path of the car, jumped on top and burst through the windshield. Walsh lost an eye as a result of this accident and gave up acting for good, famously wearing a distinctive eyepatch for the rest of his life. This accident was partly recreated in ''Film/HighSierra'' with far less drastic results. As a director, Walsh directed the likes of Creator/DouglasFairbanks, Creator/JamesCagney, Creator/ErrolFlynn, Creator/HumphreyBogart, Creator/JohnWayne, Creator/RobertMitchum, Creator/SpencerTracy, Creator/ClarkGable, Creator/GregoryPeck. He's most associated with Cagney having made four films with the actor, including Film/WhiteHeat, arguably Walsh's most widely known film. He's mostly associated with FilmNoir, war films and westerns but admirers note that he made several different kinds of films. The likes of Creator/MartinScorsese admire his films set in TheGayNineties (''The Bowery'' which inspired ''Film/GangsOfNewYork'' as well as ''The Strawberry Blonde''), which was based on his childhood. Walsh was a larger than life personality and a renowned practical joker, according to legend, after John Barrymore died, he hijacked the corpse and stashed it in Errol Flynn's room and was thrilled at his shock of delight. The page quote by Jack Warner is regarded by many as a good description of his BoisterousBruiser personality.

* ''Film/TheRoaringTwenties''
* ''Film/HighSierra''
* ''Film/TheStrawberryBlonde''
* ''Film/WhiteHeat''.

Walsh continued directing and acting intermittently in the tens and twenties. but he became a full time director as a result of a 1928 freak accident. Walsh was directing and starring in a film called, ''In Old Arizona''. While driving his car down a highway, a jackrabbit in the path of the car, jumped on top and burst through the windshield. Walsh lost a eye as a result of this accident and gave up acting for good, famously wearing a distinctive eyepatch for the rest of his life. This accident was partly recreated in ''Film/HighSierra'' with far less drastic results. As a director, Walsh directed the likes of Creator/DouglasFairbanks, Creator/JamesCagney, Creator/ErrolFlynn, Creator/HumphreyBogart, Creator/JohnWayne, Creator/RobertMitchum, Creator/SpencerTracy, Creator/ClarkGable, Creator/GregoryPeck. He's most associated with Cagney having made four films with the actor, including Film/WhiteHeat, arguably Walsh's most widely known film. He's mostly associated with FilmNoir and westerns but admirers note that he made several different kinds of films. The likes of Creator/MartinScorsese admire his films set in TheGayNineties (''The Bowery'' which inspired ''Film/GangsOfNewYork''), which was based on his childhood. Walsh was a larger than life personality and a renowned practical joker, according to legend, after John Barrymore died, he hijacked the corpse and stashed it in Errol Flynn's room and was thrilled at his shock of delight. The page quote by Jack Warner is regarded by many as a good description of his BoisterousBruiser personality.

Historians often believe that Walsh was OvershadowedByAwesome, as great as he was, his contemporaries were Creator/DWGriffith, Creator/JohnFord, Creator/HowardHawks and Creator/KingVidor. Despite this he is considered a great film-maker and an influence on several film-makers and artists around the world, from Creator/MartinScorsese to Creator/RainerWernerFassbinder, as well as composer Creator/StephenSondheim.

Historians often believe that Walsh was OvershadowedByAwesome, as great as he was, his contemporaries were Creator/DWGriffth, Creator/JohnFord, Creator/HowardHawks and Creator/KingVidor. Despite this he is considered a great film-maker and an influence on several film-makers and artists around the world, from Creator/MartinScorsese to Creator/RainerWernerFassbinder, as well as composer Creator/StephenSondheim.

Walsh continued directing and acting intermittently in the tens and twenties. but he became a full time director as a result of a 1928 freak accident. Walsh was directing and starring in a film called, ''In Old Arizona''. While driving his car down a highway, a jackrabbit in the path of the car, jumped on top and burst through the windshield. Walsh lost a eye as a result of this accident and gave up acting for good, famously wearing a distinctive eyepatch for the rest of his life. This accident was partly recreated in ''Film/HighSierra'' with far less drastic results. As a director, Walsh directed the likes of Creator/DouglasFairbanks, Creator/JamesCagney, Creator/ErrolFlynn, Creator/HumphreyBogart, Creator/JohnWayne, Creator/RobertMitchum, Creator/SpencerTracy, Creator/ClarkGable, Creator/GregoryPeck. He's most associated with Cagney having made four films with the actor, including Film/WhiteHeat, arguably Walsh's most widely known film. He's mostly associated with FilmNoir and westerns but admirers note that he made several different kinds of films. The likes of Creator/MartinScorsese admire his films set in TheGayNineties (''The Bowery'' which inspired ''Film/GangsOfNewYork''), which was based on his childhood. Walsh was a larger than life personality and a renowned practical joker, according to legend, after Creator/JohnBarrymore died, he hijacked the corpse and stashed it in Errol Flynn's room and was thrilled at his shock of delight. The page quote by Jack Warner is regarded by many as a good description of his BoisterousBruiser personality.

Historians often believe that Walsh was OvershadowedByAwesome, as great as he was, his contemporaries were Creator/DWGriffth, Creator/JohnFord, Creator/HowardHawks and Creator/KingVidor. Despite this he is considered a great film-maker and an influence on several film-makers and artists around the world, from Creator/MartinScorsese to CreatorRainerWernerFassbinder, as well as composer Creator/StephenSondheim.