Richard Thorpe: Richard Thorpe. Director: Ivanhoe. After working in vaudeville, on the stage and in early movies, Richard Thorpe launched his directing career in 1923. After directing dozens of low-budget comedies and westerns, his talents were recognized in the mid-'30s when he went to work for MGM. Studio chief Louis B. Mayer valued efficiency in his directors, and Thorpe prided himself on bringing a production in under budget--that would be key to...
