Howard Hawks Here

One of Hawks’s most unique contributions to filmmaking was his writing and directing process, often referred to as the Talking Draft Improvisational Writing

From pilot Geoff Carter in Only Angels Have Wings (1939) to sheriff John T. Chance in Rio Bravo (1959), Hawks’ heroes are men (and sometimes women) who know their job, do it well, and refuse to whine about it. They live by an unspoken code: perform under pressure, protect your crew, and never, ever talk about your feelings. Howard Hawks

Hawks' influence on American cinema is incalculable. Directors like Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, and Quentin Tarantino have cited Hawks as a major influence, and his films continue to inspire new generations of filmmakers and film enthusiasts. The American Film Institute recognized Hawks' contributions to cinema in 1992, awarding him an Honorary Oscar for his "pioneering work in the art of film." One of Hawks’s most unique contributions to filmmaking

: His characters are often defined by how well they do their jobs under pressure. Hawks' influence on American cinema is incalculable

Hawks is celebrated for creating some of the most independent and sharp-tongued female characters in classical cinema. The "Hawksian Woman" is a peer to the male protagonist—mentally agile, emotionally tough, and often the one to initiate the verbal sparring that serves as a precursor to romance.

Rosalind Russell in His Girl Friday holds her own against a room of cigar-chomping reporters—and out-acts Cary Grant. Angie Dickinson in Rio Bravo walks into a saloon and immediately owns the place. Lauren Bacall, just 19 years old in To Have and Have Not (1944), practically invents modern flirtation: “You know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve? You just put your lips together and blow.”