Even though the title draws attention to his horror films, the documentary covers his entire career, which includes nudies, educational shorts and just about any genre. Featuring cult director john waters, drivein movie critic joe bob briggs, herschell gordon lewis himself and a cast of thousands, youll witness the innocent barenaked era of nudiecuties before lewis schocked the world with blood feast, the. The postmodern gore film had its innovatorsits elvis and its beatlesand these. Lewis pioneered the horror genre in the 1960s known as the splatter film. Lewis blood trilogy consisting of blood feast, 2000 maniacs and color me blood red. Herschell gordon lewis died peacefully, in his sleep, on september 26th 2016. Featuring interviews with cast, crew, and critics such as director john waters, drivein movie critic joe bob briggs, and. The godfather of gore 1 hours and 46 minutes movie 2011 gory, gory, hallelujah. Horror filmmaker herschell gordon lewis, known as the godfather of gore for his bloody exploitation movies that launched the splatter genre. Herschel leibowitz 1925 2011, american psychologist herschell gordon lewis 19292016, a u. To celebrate the appearance of one of the genres greatest names on the calling hours horror podcast next week 23 at 8 pm est, i am going to remind the old school fans and educate the newer generation to the films of the godfather of gore herschell gordon lewis, the innovator of the gore film the southern hamlet of pleasant valley was the scene of a. Experience a decade of motionpicture madness with tons of clips, rare outtakes, and testimony from the people who were there as herschell gordon lewis, the godfather of gore leaves you laughing and screaming.
The godfather of gore takes place at cinefamily in hollywood, ca on october 12th on a double feature bill with the gore classic, two thousand maniacs. Exploitation filmmaker herschell gordon lewis is credited with singlehandedly creating the gore genre with the 1963 release blood feast. The effects are primitive at best, the acting not so great and while people always say ed wood jr. Now, anyone familiar with lewis output as a director realized that this was the tip of a gory iceberg. Take an outrageous ride through this wild world of exploitation films with this. There are myriad reasons why the term torture porn never made sense and one of the most important is the irrevocable impact herschell gordon lewis s schlocky gore cinema had on american movies. Beloved horror director herschell gordon lewis, who was affectionately known as the godfather of gore, has passed away at the age of 87. Gore pioneer herschell gordon lewis gets his due at.
Lisa petrucci of something weird video posted the following on their facebook page this morning. The audience loved it, recalls one former usher in herschell gordon lewis. Godfather of gore herschell gordon lewis celebrated in 35mm retrospective marathon screening. Herschell gordon lewis, a horror icon long known as the godfather of gore, has passed away of unspecified causes at 87. The godfather of gore chooses to focus on his output from roughly 1960 to 1972, compiling interviews with his crew, his actors, and people his films have influenced. The godfather of gore 2010 12 out of 4 very good documentary from director frank henenlotter basket case taking a look at the career of cult filmmaker herschell gordon lewis. Yet, while gordons softcore porn the adventures of lucky pierre and heavyduty gore the gruesome twosome were never blockbuster films, they were popular drivein fare in the sixties and. Many moons ago something weird video released a box set of h. Until herschell gordon lewis came along, cowboys died like cowards and vampires acted like flirts. Lewis annual stuffed full with lewisthemed activities plus archive promotional material fullyillustrated 92page art book featuring the definitive overview of the entire career of h. He was best known for innovating the splatter subgenre with 1963. He then moved to chicago, where he graduated with a bachelors and masters degrees in journalism from northwestern university, one of. Herschell gordon lewis, the godfather of gore and director of exploitation classics like blood feast, two. Over 100,000 german translations of english words and phrases.
Lewis written by stephen thrower, with a brand new foreword. We here at are terribly saddened to learn this morning that herschell gordon lewis, known to most horror fans affectionately as the godfather of gore, is no longer with us. Herschell gordon lewis headed lewis enterprises, through which he writes and consults individually. Herschell gordon lewis something weird videoimage entertainment. Take an outrageous ride through this wild world of exploitation films with this thoroughly entertaining documentary, herschell gordon lewis the godfather of gore.
Many of these are fascinating and fun including the odd connection between a lewis film and the manson family, the difficulties of casting for nudie cuties, and some form of behind the scenes info for. Herschell gordon lewis, godfather of gore wrong side of. Lisa petrucci from something weird video, the company. Featuring cult director john waters, drivein movie critic joe bob briggs, herschell gordon lewis himself and a cast of thousands, youll witness the. Herschell gordon lewis was born in pittsburgh the home of another horror legend, george a. Featuring interviews with cast, crew, and critics such as director john waters, drivein movie critic joe bob briggs, and herschell gordon lewis himself, the godfather of gore traces lewis start in the. In 1963, director herschell gordon lewis pulled a cows tongue out of an actress mouth on camera, and in doing so, changed the landscape of horror cinema forever. Herschell gordon lewis june 15, 1926 september 26, 2016 was an american filmmaker, best known for creating the splatter subgenre of horror films.
Herschell gordon lewis blood feast, two thousand maniacs. That sequence was just one of numerous gruesome gags featured in blood feast, the film credited as being the worlds first gore movie. Herschell gordon lewis 19292016, american filmmaker lucio fulci 19271996, italian film director, screenwriter, and actor. Its with a heavy heart that we report the death of herschell gordon lewis, the godfather of gore, who passed away at the age of 87. Phelim oneill pays tribute to the undisputed godfather of gore fri. He lived a full life, enjoying brief careers in teaching and advertising as a young man before taking the leap into independent filmmaking. However, he soon became known as the godfather of gore for his gruesome and sometimes silly outings released throughout the 60s and 70s.
This lowbudget shocker would ultimately influence nearly every horror movie which has followed, as well as highbrow films as varied the wild bunch and reservoir dogs. No reason for his passing has yet been released but we. H es 80 this year, but herschell gordon lewis is still the living, breathing, marvellously jovial and effervescent originator of the american splattermovie and presiding genius of the skinflick. Godfather of gore herschell gordon lewis celebrated in. Scene from herschell gordon lewis 1963 blood feast this september horror and exploitation film fans mourned the death of the godfather of gore, herschell gordon lewis. Lewis, dubbed the godfather of gore, crafted more than thirtyfive. Without a big budget, special effects team, or professional actors and crew members, herschell gordon lewis created films that he himself admits were trash. German translation of godfather the official collins englishgerman dictionary online. Lewis, originally known as a producer of nudie pictures in the early 60s, became a horror trailblazer with 1963s blood feast, considered to be the first gore film. Rip cult movie director herschell gordon lewis, the. He is often called the godfather of gore a title also given to lucio fulci, though his film career included works in a range of exploitation film genres including juvenile delinquent films, nudiecuties, two childrens films and at least.