Fred M. Wilcox (director)

Fred McLeod Wilcox (December 22, 1907 – September 23, 1964) was an American film director best known for his work at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). He directed a variety of genres, but is particularly remembered for family films and dramas.

Wilcox began his career in public relations before moving to Hollywood in the 1930s. He worked his way up at MGM, initially in the publicity department before transitioning to directing short subjects. His first feature film was Lassie Come Home (1943), a critically and commercially successful picture that launched a series of Lassie films.

Other notable films directed by Wilcox include The Courage of Lassie (1946), Hills of Home (1948), Three Daring Daughters (1948), and Secret Garden (1949). He is perhaps best known for directing the science fiction classic Forbidden Planet (1956), which is considered a landmark film in the genre. His final film was I Passed for White (1960).

Wilcox's directorial style was often characterized by a sensitive handling of children and animals, and a focus on emotional storytelling. He often worked with Technicolor, creating visually appealing films that resonated with family audiences. Though his filmography is relatively small, his films have had a lasting impact on popular culture, especially within the family film and science fiction genres.