**Howard Hawks (1896-1977)** was an influential American director, screenwriter, and producer, renowned for his extraordinary genre versatility. His filmography masterfully spanned screwball comedies (*Bringing Up Baby*, *His Girl Friday*), film noir (*The Big Sleep*, *To Have and Have Not*), Westerns (*Red River*, *Rio Bravo*), gangster films (*Scarface*), and adventure films.

His style was characterized by lean and direct storytelling, sharp dialogue, and an emphasis on characters' professionalism, loyalty, and competence. He often explored group dynamics and the role of the "Hawksian woman": strong, intelligent, and on par with men. Despite a seemingly "invisible" direction, Hawks is considered a pivotal auteur who influenced generations of filmmakers.