 In her book, "Reeling", Pauline Kael calls Richards “A real southpaw” and said that, “"Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins" sneaks up on you-you discover it like a ‘sleeper.’ I found it a funny, velvety film, with the kind of tenderness you can almost feel on your fingertips.”

That same year Richard directed Robert Mitchum and Charlotte Rampling in the Raymond Chandler adaptation, "Farewell, My Lovely" (1975).Roger Ebert said the movie “Never steps wrong” and called it “a totally assured piece of work.” Sylvia Miles earned a Best Supporting Actress Nomination.Sylvester Stallone also appears on screen in an early, pre-"Rocky" role.