‘Chinatown’ Screenwriter Robert Towne Dies Aged 89

Jack Nicholson in ‘Chinatown’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

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Writer and director Robert Towne died Monday at the age of 89.
He was most famous for writing ‘Chinatown’ and two of the ‘Mission: Impossible’ movies.
Towne also went uncredited for work on many other projects.

Robert Towne, the scriptwriter for one of the most famous crime thrillers in history, ‘Chinatown’, died on Monday at his home aged 89.

In addition to his many notable credits, he also helped with a variety of other movies and TV series without receiving any mention.

Here’s what he told Creative Screenwriting about his career:

“The only benefit your experience gives you is, when you’re stuck on the story point: ‘Well, hell, I got through it before, I guess I’ll get through it again.’ It’s that dumb faith in the fact of your own history. ‘I must be able to do this. I did it before’ But it’s just as hard every time.”

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Robert Towne: early Life and Career

(L to R) Julie Christie and Warren Beatty in ‘Shampoo’. Photo: Columbia Pictures.

Born Robert Bertram Schwartz in 1934, Towne grew up in the Los Angeles port town of San Pedro. His blue-collar upbringing would later infuse his work with a gritty realism.

Yet despite his renown as a writer, Towne’s initial foray into Hollywood wasn’t behind the scenes, but in front of the camera. He landed roles in Roger Corman’s early films such as ‘The Last Woman on Earth’ (though even there, he also wrote the screenplay, showcasing his dual talents.)

He also wrote on shows such as ‘The Outer Limits’, ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’ and ‘The Lloyd Bridges Show’.

NR4 SeasonsSeptember 22nd, 1964

It was his association with Corman, however, that truly launched Towne’s writing career. Corman, known for nurturing young talent, provided Towne with a platform to hone his craft. While these early scripts leaned towards genre fare like sci-fi and horror, they displayed a sharp wit and a knack for dialogue that would become Towne’s signature.

The late 1960s saw Towne emerge as a key figure in the New Hollywood movement. He penned the scripts for Hal Ashby’s acclaimed films ‘The Last Detail’ and ‘Shampoo’, earning Oscar nominations for both. These films explored the moral complexities of a changing America, showcasing Towne’s ability to blend humor and pathos.

“No *#@!!* Navy’s going to give some poor **!!@* kid eight years in the #@!* brig without me taking him out for the time of his *#@!!* life.”

R1 hr 44 minDec 11th, 1973

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Robert Towne and Chinatown

(L to R) Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in ‘Chinatown’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

It was his collaboration with Roman Polanski on ‘Chinatown’ (1974) that cemented Towne’s place in cinematic history. The movie, a scathing indictment of the times via an exploration of Los Angeles’ dark underbelly, won Towne an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. The film’s layered narrative and iconic characters, particularly Jake Gittes played by Jack Nicholson, continue to be studied and revered.

“You get tough. You get tender. You get close to each other. Maybe you even get close to the truth.”

R2 hr 10 minJun 20th, 1974

Robert Towne: Other Work

Tom Cruise in ‘Mission: Impossible’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

Elsewhere, Towne scored praise for his work on the first ‘Mission: Impossible’ and, to a lesser degree, its immediate follow-up. His movie resume includes ‘Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes’, ‘The Firm’ and ‘Days of Thunder’.

Towne’s career wasn’t without its stumbles. He directed several films throughout the 1980s and 1990s with mixed results including ‘Personal Best’, ‘Tequila Sunrise,’ ‘Without Limits,’ and a misguided attempt to follow up ‘Chinatown’ with 1990’s ‘The Two Jakes’, which Nicholson took over directing.

Yet none of that takes away from Towne’s impact on American cinema. He leaves behind a body of work that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.