Richard Murphy was an American screenwriter and director known for his work in film during the mid-20th century. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he began his career as a journalist before transitioning to screenwriting. Murphy wrote scripts for films such as Boomerang! (1947) and The Desert Rats (1953). He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay for The Desert Rats. Murphy's writing was noted for its strong character development and engaging narratives, contributing to the success of numerous films during Hollywood's Golden Age.