Herschell Gordon Lewis (1929-)

biography

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on June 15, 1929, Herschell Gordon Lewis spent his early years in Chicago. Ofter earning a master's degree in journalism, Lewis took a position as a literature professor at Mississippi State and later left that career for a job in radio. Eventually, he returned to Chicago where he directed his first film, the explotation flick Living Venus (1960; with William Kerwin and Harvey Korman). Lewis's second film, The Prime Time (1960) is the debut of actress Karen Black. Some of Lewis' early films were nudies, tame by today's standards but risque in the early 1960s. Lewis moved to South Florida in 1962, which is where he made most of his best-known films. Later in the 1960s, after he and production partner David Friedman parted company, he returned to filmmaking in Chicago.

the films of herschell gordon lewis

Blood Feast (1963)

Blood Feast, starring William Kerwin, Connie Mason, and Mal Arnold, has been long recognized as the first slasher film and is incredibly gory even by today's standards. Legend has it that Lewis came up with the idea for Blood Feast after he mixed a gallon of stage blood for a previous film and used only a couple of teaspoons of the mixture. Not wanting to waste the entire gallon, he came up with the idea for the film. In an interesting side note, actors William Kerwin and Connie Mason married shortly after making this film.

Two Thousand Maniacs (1964)

Filmed in Kissimmee-St.Cloud area of Florida in 1964, Two Thousand Maniacs was made for a budget rumored to hover around the $60,000 mark. The story involves a sleepy southern town in which all the residents were murdered by Union soldiers during the Civil War. One hundred years later, the citizens rise from the ashes to exact revenge on a group of six northerners who are vacationing in the south.

Color Me Blood Red (1965)

Monster a Go-Go (1965)

Made in late 1964 in Chicago, Monster A Go-Go was once featured on an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Something Weird (1967)

The Wizard of Gore (1970)

herschell gordon lewis today

After directing more than 40 films in twelve years, Lewis left filmmaking after the release of his 1972 film The Gore-Gore Girls, which features a performance by Henny Youngman as a nightclub comic. The decline of horror films, combined with the death of exploitation flicks via the release of the X-rated feature Deep Throat, spelled the end of his film career. Lewis went on to be quite successful as a direct marketing wizard, college lecturer, and writer. Today, Lewis lives in Florida. He returned to directing in 2002 with the release of Blood Feast 2: All U Can Eat.

herschell gordon lewis films available through movies unlimited

Living Venus [DVD](1960) DVD
One of H.G. Lewis' first films was this sexploitation melodrama about the rise and decline of a men's magazine publisher who falls for and marries one of his models, but continues to have affairs with the beautiful women paraded before him. William Kerwin, Danica D'Hondt star; look for Harvey Korman in his film debut. 87 min.
The Adventures Of Lucky Pierre [DVD](1961) DVD
Lucky Pierre is a bumbling artist whose sexual fantasies won't stop in this nudes-a-poppin' farce from sultan of schlock Herschell Gordon Lewis. Nudity abounds in this made-in-a-week "skinemascope" masterpiece, as Pierre encounters naked gals all over the place--even in his studio and at the drive-in! Billy Falbo and William Kerwin star.
BOIN-N-G! [DVD](1962) DVD
"The most protracted peeks...longest leers...and greatest guffaws yet...as two simple citizens set out to make a 'cutie' movie!" Classic shot-on-pennies sex flick from Herschell Gordon Lewis and David Friedman features "damsels by the dozen in various stages of array and disarray!" With Tommy Sweetwood, Bill Johnson and Christina Castel.
Nature's Playmates [DVD](1962) DVD
Horror director H.G. Lewis goes the "nudie picture" route with this tale of a male-female Chicago detective team whose investigation takes them to the naturist camps of Florida. Scott Osborne, Vickie Miles and the members of the Sunny Rest Lodge Nudist Camp star. 56 min.
The Defilers (1964)/Scum Of The Earth [DVD](1963) DVD
Loosely based on John Fowles' "The Collector," this classic exploitationer tells the story of two wealthy, pot-smoking creeps who terrorize and imprison a young woman who has recently moved to L.A. from Minnesota. Snatched, snared and strapped, she tries to salvage her dignity. Mai Jansson, Jerome Eden star in this David F. Friedman production. Then, the last nudie collaboration between Herschell Gordon Lewis and David Friedman was this no-holds-barred look at the nude modeling industry and a sleazy photographer who teams with his top model to blackmail gorgeous young women to pose in uncompromising positions. Thomas Sweetwood and Sandra Sinclair star. 142 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; audio commentary
Sinderella And The Golden Bra (1964)/Goldilocks And The Three Bares [DVD](1963) DVD
Sexy "Cinderella" send-up finds a love-starved prince searching for the woman whose breasts fit the golden bra. Mountains of merriment and song ensue with Suzanne Sybele, Bill Gaskin and Sydney Lassick. AKA: "Cindy and Her Golden Dress." Then, Herschell Gordon Lewis helmed this nudie gem about a nightclub singer who joins his comedian friend to track down their girlfriends during one of their secret weekend trips. Their search leads them to a Miami nudist colony--and lots of fun in their birthday suits! Rex Marlow, Vickie Miles and Joey Maxim star. 140 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; art gallery; audio commentary; bonus shorts; theatrical trailers.
The Blood Trilogy [DVD] DVD
Three-disc boxed set includes "Blood Feast," "Two Thousand Maniacs," and "Color Me Blood Red."
The Blood Trilogy [Blu-ray]
Includes "Blood Feast," "Two Thousand Maniacs," and "Color Me Blood Red."
Blood Feast [DVD](1963) DVD
The first "splatter film" from gore auteur Herschell Gordon Lewis. An ancient Egyptian cult that thrived on human sacrifices is resurrected in a modern metropolis, under the guise of...a catering service! The unprecedented display of slashing, murder and dismemberment stars Mal Arnold, Connie Mason. 70 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; audio commentary by Lewis and David Friedman; outtakes; art gallery; theatrical trailer; bonus short "Carving Magic."
Two Thousand Maniacs [DVD](1964) DVD
What do you get when you mix "The Beverly Hillbillies" with "Brigadoon" and toss in oodles of blood, gore and violence? You get H.G. Lewis' tale of townsfolk massacred during the Civil War who come back to life to torture unwary Yankee tourists. Playboy centerfold Connie Mason stars. Y'all come back now, y'hear? 75 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English mono, French; outtakes; photo gallery; audio commentary by Lewis and producer David F. Friedman; theatrical trailer; scene access.
Color Me Blood Red [DVD](1965) DVD
H.G. Lewis' look at the art world follows a struggling painter who cannot complete his latest work until after killing his girlfriend and finding just the right shade of red. He becomes a hit, but must maintain a steady supply of the special pigment. "They say Gauguin was obnoxious, too!" Don Joseph stars. 78 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English mono; audio commentaries; outtakes; art gallery; theatrical trailer; scene access.
Moonshine Mountain [DVD](1965) DVD
Wild, fightin', furious, still-swiggin' hillbilly flick from H.G. Lewis centers on a successful Country and Western star who returns to his beloved Carolina hills only to be pulled into the middle of a feud between two rival clans. Chuck Scott, Adam Song and the Sweet Gum Sisters star. 90 min.
Jimmy, The Boy Wonder [DVD](1966) DVD
A family film by noted goremeister Herschell Gordon Lewis? Yep, and it's as weird as you think. A young boy, bored with school, goes on a magical adventure to find who stopped the world's time and encounters an absent-minded astronomer, an evil character named Mr. Fig, and even discovers what awaits at World's End.
Alley Tramp (1966)/Over 18...And Ready [DVD](1968) DVD
A teenage temptress takes an intimate class in human sexuality with her insatiable cousin. Their furious lovemaking sessions lead the young lady into seeking fun with her mother's extramarital interest in "Alley Tramp." Annette Souvet and Jean Lamee star in this wild whirlpool of sexploitation. And, a porno filmmaker and his lesbian talent agent wife lure young women into their web of kinkiness, in "Over 18...And Ready," a lurid shocker that's been called a "more bounce to the ounce show." With Mary McRea. 136 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; featurettes; art gallery; theatrical trailers.
The Girl, The Body And The Pill [DVD](1967) DVD
Lewis' cautionary tale of a hip high school instructor who teaches sex education classes, gets canned by the uncool principal and continues her lectures at home. Meanwhile, her students learn about "the pill" and play musical beds, while one punk tries to rape the teacher. Pamela Rhea, Bill Rogers and Nancy Lee Noble, "the teenie-bopper bombshell," star.
The Magic Land Of Mother Goose [DVD](1967) DVD
Favorite nursery rhymes are brought to life in this whimsical live-action fantasy featuring appearances by King Cole, a nasty witch, magic tricks by Merlin, and that jolly old elf, Santa Claus himself. Directed by H.G. Lewis. AKA: "Santa Visits the Magic Land of Mother Goose." 60 min.
A Taste Of Blood [DVD](1967) DVD
Herschell Gordon Lewis' ambitious vampire epic centers on a man who drinks two mysterious bottles of brandy and turns into a ghastly bloodsucker. The ghoul goes to England and Europe to quench his thirst for human blood, leaving a trail of dead bodies in his wake. Bill Rogers, Elizabeth Wilkinson star. AKA: "The Secret of Dr. Alucard." 120 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby mono; audio commentary by Lewis; bonus short "Nightmare at Elm Manor"; theatrical trailer; art gallery.
Suburban Roulette [DVD](1967) DVD
A wild and appropriately seedy wife-swapping epic from H.G. Lewis about the evils of suburbia, where husbands offer their spouses in lotteries and sex-lusting housewives rant and rave until they get it on. Once taboo-shattering drama, now a camp classic, starring Elizabeth Wilkinson. 91 min.
Just For The Hell Of It (1968)/The Blast-Off Girls [DVD](1967) DVD
The "teen gang" genre receives the Herschell Gordon Lewis touch in this violent tale of a group of young vandals who call themselves Destruction, Inc. and get their kicks from crashing parties, dousing cars with paint, pushing blind people into traffic and other anti-social actions. Ray Sager, Nancy Lee Noble star. Then, Lewis presents his own version of "A Hard Day's Night" in this not-to-be-believed tale of unscrupulous rock promoter Boojie Baker, who guides a band called The Big Blast! to fame, fortune and gorgeous groupies, only to have the whole gig turn sour. Far-out flick features Dan Conway, Ray Sagar and "guest star" Col. Harland Sanders. 164 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; theatrical trailers; bonus shorts; photo
How To Make A Doll [DVD](1968) DVD
Herschell Gordon Lewis directed this amusing sex farce about a nerdy math professor whose intense shyness with the ladies inspires him to carry on his late mentor's work and invent android women to satisfy his sexual needs. Robert Wood and Jim Vance star.
Something Weird [DVD](1968) DVD
A man is horribly disfigured in an industrial accident that also gives him the power of E.S.P. He soon becomes involved in a bizarre mix of witchcraft, murder and psychic suspense in this psychedelic treat from H.G. Lewis. Tony McCabe, Elizabeth Lee star. 87 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; audio commentary; introduction by Lewis; art gallery; featurette; bonus shorts "LSD Psychedelic Freak Out," "Monsterama Nightmare from the Weird World of LSD" and "Psyched-Out Singalong With the 4D Witch!"
She-Devils On Wheels [DVD](1968) DVD
"We don't owe nobody nothin,' and we don't make no deals; We're swingin' chicks on motors, we're man-eaters on wheels." From B-film legend Herschell Gordon Lewis comes this tale of a deadly female biker gang and their codes of sex and violence. Features special Lewis "gore" touches and real members of the Iron Cross cycle club. 83 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; audio commentary by Lewis; art gallery; theatrical trailer; bonus short "Biker Beach Party."
The Wizard Of Gore [DVD](1970) DVD
Illusion defies reality (or does it?) when Montag the Magician performs his amazing tricks of mutilation on female volunteers from the audience...but will a nosy local TV personality bring the curtain down on his all-too-real act? All of the gore and horror effects that H.G. Lewis fans have come to expect, plus a wild "zen" ending. With Ray Sager. 95 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono; audio commentary; art gallery; theatrical trailer; scene access.
This Stuff'll Kill Ya! (1971)/The Year Of The Yahoo [DVD](1972) DVD
Wild stuff, Herschell Gordon Lewis-style. First comes the story of a preacher who uses his religious musings as a cover for his moonshine ring and other seedy activities. With Tim Holt, Jeffrey Allen. Then, a naive country singer is tapped by a Southwestern state's political machine to run against a popular liberal U.S. senator. What follows is a wild campaign filled with nasty commercials, music and intrigue. Claude King, Ray Sager and Ronna Riddle star. 186 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; audio commentary; theatrical trailers; bonus shorts "The Old Gray Goose Is Dead" and "Naked Moonshine"; more.
The Gore-Gore Girls [DVD](1972) DVD
The final horror entry from splatter maven H.G. Lewis follows a detective's search for the fiend who has been horribly mutilating and killing beautiful young dancers. Among the suspects are a bar patron who smashes melons with his bare hands, a tough "women's libber," and nightclub owner Henny Youngman (that's right, we said Henny Youngman!). 84 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; audio commentary by Lewis; featurette; art gallery.
Blood Feast 2: All U Can Eat (Special Edition) [DVD](2002) DVD
Nearly 40 years after his crimson-stained creation launched the "splatter film" genre, B-movie legend Herschell Gordon Lewis returns with a shock-filled sequel. Faud Ramses III, grandson of the original cannibalistic caterer, follows in his grandpappy's gruesome footsteps, chopping up beautiful women in bizarre cult sacrifices. J.P. Delahoussaye, Toni Wynne, Christy Brown star; look for John Waters in a cameo as a clergyman. Uncut, unrated version; 98 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; audio commentary by Lewis; photo gallery; deleted scenes; behind-the-scenes footage; "making of" featurette; interview. Two-disc set.

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filmography

This is a listing of films that Lewis has directed:
Blood Feast 2: All U Can Eat (2002) with John Waters
Black Love (1972)
The Gore-Gore Girls (1972) with Henny Youngman
Year of the Yahoo! (1972)
This Stuff'll Kill Ya! (1971) with Tim Holt
Miss Nymphet's Zap-In (1970)
The Wizard of Gore (1970)
Linda and Abilene (1969)
The Ecstasies of Women (1969)
The Psychic (1968)
How to Make a Doll (1968)
Just for the Hell of It (1968)
Suburban Roulette (1968) with William Kerwin
She-Devils on Wheels (1968)
Something Weird (1968) with Tony McCabe, Elizabeth Lee, and William Brooker
Blast-Off Girls (1967)
The Magic Land of Mother Goose (1967)
The Girl, the Body, and the Pill (1967)
The Gruesome Twosome (1967)
A Taste of Blood (1967) with William Kerwin
Alley Tramp (1966)
Jimmy, the Boy Wonder (1966)
Monster a-Go Go (1965)
Sin, Suffer and Repent (1965)
Color Me Blood Red (1965) with Gordon Oas-Heim and Jerome Eden
Moonshine Mountain (1964) with Gordon Oas-Heim
Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964) with Connie Mason, William Kerwin, and Jerome Eden
Scum of the Earth (1963) with William Kerwin and Mal Arnold
Bell, Bare and Beautiful (1963) with William Kerwin and Jerome Eden
Goldilocks and the Three Bares (1963)
Blood Feast (1963) with Connie Mason, William Kerwin, and Mal Arnold
Boin-n-g (1963) with William Kerwin
Daughter of the Sun (1962)
Nature's Playmates (1962)
The Adventures of Lucky Pierre (1961) with William Kerwin
Living Venus (1960) with William Kerwin and Harvey Korman
The Prime Time (1960)

herschell gordon lewis links

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