Robert Manby; Former President of RKO Pictures

Robert Manby, 73, former president and chairman of the New York-based RKO Pictures. During his tenure from 1978 until his retirement in 1986, RKO films included “Plenty,” “The Lighthorsemen” and “Hamburger Hill,” and, with Universal, “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” A native of Battle Creek, Mich., he was educated at Hillsdale College and Harvard University. Manby served in the Coast Guard during World War II and began his career in Cleveland with the Mutual Broadcasting System radio network in 1947. A decade later, Manby co-founded Show Corp. of America to distribute RKO’s old movies overseas. He co-founded RKO Pictures in 1978, picking up the old studio name, and a year later helped form RKO Home Video to distribute RKO classics such as the original “King Kong” and “Fort Apache.” The company also produced stage plays and musicals for television. On Aug. 6 in New York of a heart attack.