Robert Wise was a producer and director most notable of The Sound Of Music, but he made films across a wide variety of different genres from action, to sci-fi to musicals. His career started at the bottom with RKO Pictures and worked his way up to an editor and edited Citizen Kane. His first film as director was the psychological horror Curse Of The Cat People which was followed up with the period war drama Mademoiselle Fifi. THis was followed by THe Body Snatcher with Boris Karlov and Bella Lugosi.With Blood On The Moon he directed a western but with something of a noir feel.
In 1951 he directed the classic Sci-Fi film The Day The Earth Stood Still. Executive suite was another change of direction with an all star ensemble cast. With Helen Of Troy he made a bif epic historical drama, with big sets and big battles. I Want To Live is based on a real life murder trial and earned Robert Wise a Best Director Oscar nomination in this powerful drama. In 1961 he brought the popular stage musical West Side Story to the big screen which he also produced and directed. This is one of the great dance musicals and Best Director and Best Picture. This was repeated when he adapted The Sound Of Music in which he turned a static stage paly inot sweeping cinema. His big success towards the end of his career was Star Trek The Motion Picture.
