Garland Roark(1904-1985)
- Writer
Garland Roark was born July 26, 1904 in Groesbeck, Texas the son of
James H. and Mona Lee Roark. He married Leola Elisabeth Burke on
September 14, 1939. He died February 9, 1985 in Nacogdoches, Texas. He
was celebrated as a writer of seafaring adventures and, under the
pseudonym George Garland, wrote a variety of western novels as well.
Roark held advertising positions with various stores in Texas from 1924
until 1946, when he quit to write full time. The decision proved
fortuitous; throughout the 1950s and 1960s Roark maintained a solid
reputation for pulp-style adventure stories.
His first novel, Wake of the Red Witch, set the tone for his subsequent work. Set in the South Seas, the story encompassed sunken treasure and the unbridled greed of the men searching for it - and willing to kill if necessary. Critics of this book, and others, were less than enthusiastic about the story lines and the men and women who populated them. But Hollywood saw the potential. The success of Wake of the Red Witch played into the post-War desire for escapist entertainment, and Republic Studios optioned the rights in 1946. Director Edward Ludwig hired screenwriters Harry Brown and Kenneth Garnet to adapt the novel and it was filmed in 1948 starring John Wayne, Gail Russell, Gig Young and Luthr Adler. Produced on a budget of $1.2 million, it was the most expensive Republic Picture produced that year.
Only two of Mr. Roark's novels have ever been adapted - Fair Wind to Java was produced by Republic in 1953 and starred Fred MacMurray.
His first novel, Wake of the Red Witch, set the tone for his subsequent work. Set in the South Seas, the story encompassed sunken treasure and the unbridled greed of the men searching for it - and willing to kill if necessary. Critics of this book, and others, were less than enthusiastic about the story lines and the men and women who populated them. But Hollywood saw the potential. The success of Wake of the Red Witch played into the post-War desire for escapist entertainment, and Republic Studios optioned the rights in 1946. Director Edward Ludwig hired screenwriters Harry Brown and Kenneth Garnet to adapt the novel and it was filmed in 1948 starring John Wayne, Gail Russell, Gig Young and Luthr Adler. Produced on a budget of $1.2 million, it was the most expensive Republic Picture produced that year.
Only two of Mr. Roark's novels have ever been adapted - Fair Wind to Java was produced by Republic in 1953 and starred Fred MacMurray.
