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Science Fiction and Fantasy Author Richard Matheson Dead At 87

Posted by timothy on from the long-and-storied-career dept.

New submitter no bloody nickname writes "The BBC reports that well-known U.S. author Richard Matheson has passed away. He was 87 years old. Mathesons prolific career lasted for more than 60 years and his works include the novels Hell House, The Shrinking Man, A Stir of Echoes, and I am legend. Matheson also wrote for television and cinema. Among the screenplays he wrote were the Spielberg movie Duel as well as multiple episodes of The Twilight Zone. Several of his novels have also been adapted into movies. In the case of I Am Legend this was done not just once but three times. Matheson continued to write books until recently and his most recently published book Generations was released in 2012." Adds reader Dave Knott: "Richard Matheson was a recipient of lifetime achievement recognition in both fantasy (World Fantasy Awards, 1984) and horror (Bram Stoker Awards, 1991), and was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2010. Matheson passed away on Sunday at his home in Los Angeles."

8 of 57 comments (clear)

  1. Why so unknown? by Sam_In_The_Hills · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I find in taking to non-scifi geeks that while everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE, has seen a movie(s) or tv shows based on Richard Matheson's work no one seems to have heard of him. It's really odd.

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    1. Re:Why so unknown? by seven+of+five · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Unlike Stephen King, whose name is attached to everything, i.e. "Stephen King's The Tommyknockers" etc. Matheson was more low key. On the other hand, I am Legend must've set some record for the number of movie versions.

    2. Re:Why so unknown? by Sethmiesters · · Score: 2

      He is Legend

  2. For what it's worth by mmcxii · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I think that I Am Legend is pretty weak from the science fiction aspect. Omega Man and I Am Legend (the movie) did a better version of the story. The idea that Neville coming up with a cure for the plague without any prior education is a bit far fetched.

    But over all his short stories are a good read and he did write my favorite Twilight Zone episode (Night Call). I've never read the story that was to be made into Night Call, if one exists. Does anyone know?

    1. Re:For what it's worth by Anonymous+Codger · · Score: 3, Interesting

      I beg to differ on I Am Legend. I read the book many years ago and found it suspenseful, engrossing, moving, and, to one willing to suspend disbelief, reasonably plausible.

      None of the movies lived up to the original. They went more for thrills and chills at the expense of the humanity of the story.

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  3. Someday they'll film it right? by LNO · · Score: 5, Informative

    If you haven't read I Am Legend, you're doing yourself a disservice. The three adaptations mentioned in the summary are The Last Man On Earth in 1964 starring Vincent Price, The Omega Man in 1971 starring Charleton Heston, and I Am Legend in 2007 starring Will Smith. Of all of these, the oldest is the closest to the actual novella and takes the fewest liberties.

    When the 2007 version was in preproduction, I was geeking out as I could not wait to see this done with modern technology and techniques. Of course, as I should have known (and we should all have known with, say, Ender's Game or World War Z) that what made the book excellent is not what would be shown on the screen.

    Even though the story is 59 years old, I'm still loathe to spoil it. Go read it. Do Richard Matheson one last tribute.

  4. Trilogy of Terror by invid · · Score: 2

    I remember discovering that a number of movies that had major impacts on me growing up were written by the same person, ( Trilogy of Terror, Duel, The Omega Man) and wondering why I hadn't heard his name before. I had nightmares about that little idol doll for weeks.

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    1. Re:Trilogy of Terror by invid · · Score: 2

      Camera shooting from the left and at a shallow downward angle. Now the camera starts to pull ahead, drawing around so that Mann's car remains in sight. After a while, the truck is revealed foot by foot; a gigantic gasoline tanker truck pulling a tank trailer, each of them having six wheels. It is not a new rig but dented and in need of renovation, its tanks painted a cheap looking silver color. We hear the grinding strain of the truck's motor. The vertical pipe to the left of the cab is spewing dark smoke which clouds back across the trailer.

      This is fairly detailed. 92 pages. The movie is 90 minutes.

      --
      The Moore-Murphy Law: The number of things that will go wrong will double every 2 years.