Richard Wallace, a renowned filmmaker, was born in Sacramento, California, in the year 1894. At the tender age of 14, he embarked on a journey as a theater projectionist, a profession he held dear for a period of four years. Subsequently, he ventured to Los Angeles with the aim of breaking into the burgeoning film industry, ultimately securing a position as an editor for esteemed studios such as Triangle and Robertson-Cole.
However, his illustrious career was temporarily interrupted by his service in the United States Army Signal Corps during World War I. Upon his return, he rejoined the film industry, this time securing a position as an editor with Fox Films. Through his tireless dedication and hard work, he gradually ascended the ranks, eventually becoming a director.
For several years, Wallace helmed comedy shorts for prominent studios such as Universal, Mack Sennett, and Hal Roach. His directorial debut in the feature film realm came in 1926 with the release of Syncopating Sue. He went on to spend many years at Paramount Pictures, solidifying his status as a director who occupied a niche between the ranks of "A" and "B" directors.
One of his most notable and successful films was the war picture Bombardier, released in 1943. This cinematic masterpiece earned him widespread acclaim, and he also had the privilege of collaborating with the legendary John Wayne on the adventure epic Tycoon, which hit the big screens in 1947.
