Why wasn't Richard Matheson As Famous As Stephen King?

[@darkbites]

Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed this video, check out my chat with Richard Chizmar who reveals what it's like to publish and write with Stephen King: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKnKl5qMlJmcoJI

[@davidbernardi3410]

I'm a 20-year book editing pro. I've heard that Stephen King could crank out a thousand words a day ready-for-print copy. They'd give it to the editor, who would say, there's nothing to do here.

[@darkbites]

@@davidbernardi3410 It always impresses me when writers can write such clean first draft copies. I wish I were one of them. Some also give their editors a list of "rules" that normally editors would want changed, but is just that writers style. Not sure if King does that, though,

[@thatlittlevoice6354]

I recommend a short story by Matheson's son. It's 'I am legend' from the vampire's side.

[@darkbitesclips5752]

I've read quite a few stories from RC. Not sure if I have read the one you're referring to. Do you remember the title of story or if it was in a collection? RC is also a fantastic writer for sure.

[@peterolbrisch8970]

Steven Spielberg started to make a name for himself when he directed made for tv movie called Duel based on a Matheson story. Stephen King said Matheson was a major influence on him. Think of sll the movies Spielberg went on to make, all the books King went on to write and all the movies made from those books and the movies made from Matheson's books. It would be easy to say yhe Richard Matheson is the most influential writer in the last half of the twentieth century.

[@darkbites]

Oh, absolutely. While King is certainly the most prolific horror author of our time, Matheson is by far the most influential and, I beleive, will continue to be for a long time to come.

[@peterolbrisch8970]

@@darkbites Thanks for your reply and have a great day!

[@CaesarDarias]

I enjoyed the discussion. The Star Trek episode, “The Enemy Within,” was also very interesting and creative. I loved Spock’s dialogue. Gene Roddenberry is credited as the co-winter.

[@darkbites]

I really enjoyed The Enemy Within as well. A classic Jekyll And Hyde take done in an interesting way.

[@4817Indian]

The general public is stupid.Karl Edward Wagner should be better known,too.But, no one surpasses Matheson.

[@darkbites]

True, there are so many who should be. Sadly, Matheson was perhaps too humble for his own good, but his words will be making plenty of their own news for generations yet to come. Thanks for watching, Kirk!

[@timmc8444]

Wagner had a short run..unforantely..no great king fan but he's a legend

[@2msvalkyrie529]

I finished my first book when I was twelve....then I started reading another one...

[@darkbites]

Are you referring to your first Matheson book or your first King book? Which book was it?

[@RSEFX]

Not to mention the huge success that the film adaption of THE SHRINKING MAN could've brought him. His name should have been above the credits, in my opinion. That alone could have set in motion subsequent movie advertising credits of "...BY THE SAME AUTHOR AS "THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN", which, subsequent to that could easily have led to further (and accumulating) such notices.

[@darkbites]

Exactly. Of a film is adapted from an author's work, it should always be listed in the credits. Sadly, that's often not in the case, especially in the case of writers such as Matheson who tend to shy away from butting heads.

[@RSEFX]

@@darkbites Met and interviewed him twice, mostly in connection his work on the Poe films (mainly USHER). Also MASTER OF THE WORLD. For retrospective articles yet to see the light of day. He was a major hero of mine. I read his I AM LEGEND shortly after it came out at a very young age. Unforgettable.

[@RSEFX]

@@darkbites I wish the posters, movie credits and ads had read "Richard Matheson's THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN".

[@darkbites]

@@RSEFX That must have been an amazing experience. I've had the pleasure of interview his son, RC Matheson a few times. He is such a kind a gracious guy, and also very talented as a writer..

[@bradroberts4202]

You could also ask the question: "Why aren't there any movies based on Jonathan Carroll novels?"

[@darkbites]

While I admit I'm not familiar with Carroll, you're right in that there are so many brilliant stories out there worth tapping into if only Hollywood was more daring and had the balls to bring them to life.

[@peterolbrisch8970]

He's pretty good.

[@timmc8444]

he was too early...King benefitted by the explosion on cable and the internet

[@darkbites]

That no doubt helped, although there are so many great television shows and film adaptions that Matheson wrote that a lot of people aren't aware he write them. It's also interesting to think how different King's own writing may have been had there been no Matheson to influence him (and so many others).

[@thatlittlevoice6354]

King blew up in the 70s and 80s......

[@davidbernardi3410]

Matheson always seems defensive and on the back foot. He seems shifty and insincere. Then again, that could have been a byproduct of his genius (and he was a genius-his works are the proof). It's like he's hiding a dark secret.

[@darkbites]

I'm curious why you feel that why? Sadly, I never had the chance to interact with him, but I do understand he was a very humble and quiet man, though to your point, I have heard he could be rather insecure as many of the greats were despite their greatness.