Herschell Gordon Lewis: THE Godfather of Gore!

[Make Them Die Slowly]

Lewis is one of those directors who goes in and out of fashion within cultdom and beyond, every now and then being referenced by the mainstream. I don't think he gets the credit he deserves for pushing the boundaries of not only gore but also nudity in films along with Russ Meyer as one of the first nudie cutie film makers who came out in the wake of European art house films unleashing naked flesh on the American public.

Lewis isn't the greatest director on earth but a man with a singular vision combined with an eye on the cash which for me often makes for a far more interesting director than those who consider themselves artists or popular film makers.

[iluvdvds@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Make Them Die Slowly

Lewis is one of those directors who goes in and out of fashion within cultdom and beyond, every now and then being referenced by the mainstream. I don't think he gets the credit he deserves for pushing the boundaries of not only gore but also nudity in films along with Russ Meyer as one of the first nudie cutie film makers who came out in the wake of European art house films unleashing naked flesh on the American public.

Lewis isn't the greatest director on earth but a man with a singular vision combined with an eye on the cash which for me often makes for a far more interesting director than those who consider themselves artists or popular film makers.

Totally agree with you there, MTDS. Back in uni, I bought a few great books about HGL and the sections about his nudie movies were just as interesting as his more well-known gore movies.

I've never actually seen any of his non-gore films though! Got any recommendations dude?

[iluvdvds@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Vipp

I'm embarrased to say i have no idea who he is and i haven;t see any of his films. I do remember a mate raving about the film caled gore gore girls but i'm sure it looks like a crap porno to me when i saw the box so i never bothered with it? now i assume i was very wrong! lol - also at that time we rented a movie called 'monster man' from hollywood video and that was corny but great.

You should definitely check out his gore films, Vipp. They helped change exploitation cinema for ever and even if they're pretty tame today, they are so much fun! Corny, cheesy, silly gore and always a good laugh. I think you'll love his stuff, especially the biggies like Blood Feast. Funny to think that it managed to be one of the video nasties 20 odd years after it was made!

[Make Them Die Slowly]

Originally Posted by iluvdvds@Cult Labs

Totally agree with you there, MTDS. Back in uni, I bought a few great books about HGL and the sections about his nudie movies were just as interesting as his more well-known gore movies.

I've never actually seen any of his non-gore films though! Got any recommendations dude?

Me neither, we must have read the same books! I'm more of an early 60s New York scuzz fan when the cuties turned into roughies. Now if we only had a Robert and Roberta Findlay thread...

[iluvdvds@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Make Them Die Slowly

Me neither, we must have read the same books! I'm more of an early 60s New York scuzz fan when the cuties turned into roughies. Now if we only had a Robert and Roberta Findlay thread...

I remember you chatting about the Findlays ages ago - still haven't checked them out!

The main HGL book I have was this one. Ever read it MTDS? It's mainly just pictures, but I'm not complaining

[Make Them Die Slowly]

Originally Posted by iluvdvds@Cult Labs

I remember you chatting about the Findlays ages ago - still haven't checked them out!

The main HGL book I have was this one. Ever read it MTDS? It's mainly just pictures, but I'm not complaining

Yep, had it at one point but like so many things it vanished over time. I have always wanted to read Lewis' book on plate collecting or one of his books on the direct sales market which is where he made all his money after his film career. Herschell Gordon Lewis Interview

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by iluvdvds@Cult Labs

I remember you chatting about the Findlays ages ago - still haven't checked them out!

You've never seen Snuff or Shriek of the Mutilated Kyle?

I'd love to say you're missing out but i really would be lying. Although you really should see Shriek as it's probably the worst Yeti / Bigfoot movie ever made and that's quite an achievement as most of them are ****in' shite anyway.

[Make Them Die Slowly]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

You've never seen Snuff or Shriek of the Mutilated Kyle?

I'd love to say you're missing out but i really would be lying. Although you really should see Shriek as it's probably the worst Yeti / Bigfoot movie ever made and that's quite an achievement as most of them are ****in' shite anyway.

1966 to 1969 are the peak years for Findlay frenzy with The Flesh trilogy and other assorted deranged gems that skirt some vague pretence to poetry and out and out rabid misogynistic fury. God bless 'em.

[iluvdvds@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

You've never seen Snuff or Shriek of the Mutilated Kyle?

I'd love to say you're missing out but i really would be lying. Although you really should see Shriek as it's probably the worst Yeti / Bigfoot movie ever made and that's quite an achievement as most of them are ****in' shite anyway.

Hell yeah! Love me some Shriek Of The Mutilated. I mean, it's a Bigfoot movie... kinda. Never seen any of their nudier movies though.

Most bigfoot movies aren't shit! They're... erm... an acquired taste. I thought Shriek was actually one of the better ones - love the old 70s Bigfoot flicks.

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by iluvdvds@Cult Labs

Hell yeah! Love me some Shriek Of The Mutilated. I mean, it's a Bigfoot movie... kinda. Never seen any of their nudier movies though.

Most bigfoot movies aren't shit! They're... erm... an acquired taste. I thought Shriek was actually one of the better ones - love the old 70s Bigfoot flicks.

I like Abominable, The Abominable Snowman, Snow Beast, Legend of Boggy Creek and The Lost Coast Tapes and that one Reaper likes, and i'm sure there are one or two others, but most are dire.

As for Lewis, i'm not really a fan even though i own a couple. Have to admit 2000 Maniacs is great though...and the remake.