Robert L. Lippert, the offspring of a hardware store proprietor in Alameda, California, made his arrival shortly after the turn of the century. Born with a distinct lack of enthusiasm for his father's business, Lippert instead cultivated a profound fascination with the nascent and emerging technology of motion pictures. As a young adult, Lippert embarked on a series of odd jobs at the local cinema, ultimately finding his way into the projection room where he refined his skills and made notable improvements to the projectors.
During this formative period, he also conceived novel variations of the projectors, many of which remain on display at the Alameda County museum, a testament to his innovative spirit and dedication to the art of filmmaking.
As the years went by, Lippert's fervent enthusiasm for the cinematic art form continued to escalate, and by the mid-1940s, he had built an impressive network of theaters spanning the vast territories of California and Oregon. Around the late 1940s, he made the bold decision to take the next logical step and embark on a new venture, venturing into the realm of producing his own films, specifically designed to be showcased in his very own theaters.
From the late 1940s to the early 1950s, the prolific producer and distributor, Lippert, unleashed a staggering number of films onto the big screen, many of which have since become revered cult classics. Movie enthusiasts, familiar with the "Lippert Pictures" logo, knew that they were in for a unique cinematic experience whenever it appeared on the screen.
It was during this remarkable period that Lippert released a plethora of cinematic gems, including the science fiction masterpiece "Rocketship X-M" in 1950, the historical drama "Little Big Horn" in 1951, the gritty war film "The Steel Helmet" also in 1951, and the Western adventure "The Tall Texan" in 1953, to name just a few.
In the year 1956, a pivotal agreement was struck between Lippert and 20th Century-Fox, paving the way for Lippert's future endeavors to be financed and distributed through the newly established "Regal Films" banner, rather than the previously utilized "Lippert Pictures" moniker.
The life and career of Robert Lippert, a trailblazing film producer, may not have been marked by the most acclaimed or illustrious of projects, yet he played a significant role in fostering the talents of notable directors such as Samuel Fuller and Charles Marquis Warren, providing them with opportunities to hone their craft and make a name for themselves in the industry.
While many of the films produced by Lippert's company, Film Classics, may have been considered "B" movies, lacking in production values and artistic merit, there were undoubtedly some hidden gems scattered throughout his filmography, showcasing his ability to identify and nurture emerging talent.
Despite his relatively unassuming legacy, Lippert's contributions to the film industry cannot be overstated, as he helped pave the way for future generations of filmmakers, leaving behind a lasting impact on the art form.
