Ib Melchior

Born in Copenhagen on September 17, 1917, Ib Melchior became a Danish-American novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter, director, and producer. He was the son of famed opera tenor Lauritz Melchior, and his career stretched across both literature and film.

He is especially remembered for science fiction, writing or directing cult favorites including The Angry Red Planet, The Time Travelers, and Robinson Crusoe on Mars. Alongside his screen work, he also published fiction and nonfiction, building a reputation as a versatile writer with a lasting place in genre storytelling.

Melchior died on March 14, 2015, at age 97. His long career left a clear mark on classic screen science fiction, especially for readers and viewers who enjoy bold ideas, strange worlds, and the inventive spirit of mid-century speculative fiction.