According to one obituary, he was "a prime exponent of that style, being a master of swift exposition and fast action. His no-nonsense approach also made him a fine serial director, and when given the chance of a top-budget adventure film he gave his studio one of its biggest hits in Arabian Nights."[2] Another said he "was a prime example of a no-frills director of Bs, who got his job done quickly, competently and cheaply."[3]
Biography
Rawlins was born in Long Beach, California, in 1902. He started work as a stuntman and bit player in action films and serials. He wrote jokes for comedies, then worked at Columbia as an editor.
In 1933, he made his directing debut with two short films, Sign Please and They're Off!. He directed his first feature in 1938, State Police. According to an obituary, it "instantly established his forte - quickly made, inexpensive "B" movies of around 60 minutes' running time, distinguished by fast pacing and non-stop action.[2] He was signed to a long term contract by Universal. In 1951 he directed Fort Defiance.[4] In the fifties he left the film business become a property developer.[2][3]
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