Richard L. Bare obit

Richard L. Bare, ‘Green Acres’ Director, Dies at 101

 He was not on the list.

Richard L. Bare, who wrote and directed hundreds of episodes of classic TV shows including “Green Acres” and “Twilight Zone,” died March 28 in Newport Beach, Calif. He was 101.

Most episodes of TV series “Green Acres” were directed by Bare, who also directed episodes of “Maverick” — he’s credited with the discovery of James Garner. Bare also directed the “Twilight Zone” episode titled “To Serve Man,” one of the series’ most famous installments. He directed the pilot of “77 Sunset Strip” as well as episodes of “Route 66,” “Maverick,” “Petticoat Junction” and “Nanny and the Professor,” as well as dozens of other series.

Born in Modesto, California, Bare was a film enthusiast from an early age, even building a small theater in his home as a young man. Bare graduated from USC film school, where he would later teach.

Bare began his career in the 1940s at Warner Bros., where he was contracted to write and direct a collection of short films about character Joe McDoakes, with titles such as “So You Want to Be a Detective” and “So You’re Going to Be a Father.”

Out of the director’s chair, Bare channeled his Hollywood experiences into a guide to directing, authoring the book “The Film Director.”

Born in Turlock, California, he attended USC School of Cinematic Arts where he directed his most notable student film, The Oval Portrait, an adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's story. He became notable post-graduation for writing and directing the Joe McDoakes series of short films for Warner Brothers between 1942 and 1956, featuring George O'Hanlon in the title role.

On television, he directed seven classic The Twilight Zone episodes: "To Serve Man", "What's in the Box?", "The Fugitive", "Third from the Sun", "The Purple Testament", "Nick of Time" and "The Prime Mover". He directed almost every episode of the 1960s-1970s CBS television series Green Acres. He also directed feature films, including Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend and Wicked, Wicked. On May 2, 2014, he acquired the rights with producer Phillip Goldfine to produce a movie and Broadway play based on Green Acres. He was once married to actress Phyllis Coates.

His memoir, Confessions of a Hollywood Director discusses his directorial work, as well as behind-the-scenes information, and his service as a captain in the Army Air Forces' First Motion Picture Unit. Bare also wrote The Film Director: A Practical Guide to Motion Picture and Television Techniques (1971; ISBN 0-02-012130-X), a text to teach the craft of directing to aspiring filmmakers. On November 19, 2007, Bare announced that he was working on a revival of Green Acres.

Filmography

 

Two Gun Troubador (1939)

Smart Girls Don't Talk (1948)

Flaxy Martin (1949)

The House Across the Street (1949)

Return of the Frontiersman (1950)

This Side of the Law (1950)

‘’So You Want To Be A Plumber’’(1951)

So You Want to Learn to Dance (1953)

Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend (1957)

Girl on the Run (1958)

I Sailed to Tahiti with an All Girl Crew (1968)

Wicked, Wicked (1973)