Richard Maibaum

Biography

Richard Maibaum (May 26, 1909 – January 4, 1991) was an American film producer, playwright, and screenwriter best known for his screenplay adaptations of Ian Fleming's James Bond novels.

Among his works are the first anti-lynching play on Broadway, The Tree (1932); the first anti-Nazi play on Broadway, Birthright (1933); the first film that dealt with the problem of medication abuse, Bigger Than Life, written in 1955, released in 1956; the first film that dealt with the ethical and moral decisions in kidnapping cases, Ransom! the first film that introduced the American public to the importance of training airmen for the defense of the United States in a war many recognized as coming, I Wanted Wings (Spring, 1941); and Diamonds Are Forever, begun 1970, the first film that discussed the use of laser-like satellite mounted weapons for global warfare.

His papers now reside at his alma mater, the University of Iowa.