I was extremely heartbroken yesterday, when I read of the passing of the man rightfully credited with starting and creating the splatter film, the Godfather of Gore, himself, Herschell Gordon Lewis AKA H.G. Lewis). He was a true legend of the genre and one of the most important and influential filmmakers in the history of the horror film.
Color Me Blood- Red
H.G. Lewis was born on June 15, 1926 in Pittsburgh. Though his career started with softcore films (which he continued to make for a good chunk of his career), it's his splatter movies that he is most connected with. His first gore film was the legendary Blood Feast. While, horror movies before this either completely lacked graphic violence or only flirted lightly with it (Hammer Studios comes to mind in that department), Blood Feast was extremely graphic and bloody. That the FX were crude and fake didn't matter. Nothing had been seen up and until that point of time like it. As result it was an instant hit at the box office, and would go on to become a cult classic (as many of his other films would).
I knew about his movies for ages, being a well read horror fan and all. But, I wouldn't see any of his movies until I bought the The Blood Trilogy DVDbox-set from Image many years back. This was composed of the first three movies he made, the aforementioned Blood Feast, Two-Thousand Maniacs, and Color Me Blood Red. I loved the whole cheesy and it's so bad so good aspect of these films. Pretty girls, bad dialogue, bad acting, and graphic but terribly fake splatter. I can't recommend these movies enough to any lovers of horror and gore, especially those who like their movies to be fun and bloody.
Though of these three, I would say Two-Thousand Maniacs is my favorite. Even if it does not come anywhere close of giving you that many maniacs, it is a fun, wild, bloody, and funny tale of a bunch of crazy, killer hicks bent on having the South rise again.
Sadly, I haven't seen as much of his work I should, with the only other two I saw being Wizard of Gore and The Gore-Gore Girls when I bought the double feature, and excellent, I must add, Blu-ray of them. I plan to revisit the highly enjoyable, wild, and over-the-top Wizard soon. Last night I revisited The Gore-Gore Girls (1972)in his honor. It is my favorite of his, and his last movie for many, many, many years to come until he made Blood Feast 2 (2002).
The Gore-Gore Girls
One thing that stands true is despite the bloody content his movies were always tongue and cheek (and the tongue ripped out!). They never felt mean-spirited or took themselves too seriously as a result were many times hilarious, both intentionally and not.
The Wizard of Gore
I loved his role in the thoroughly awesome love letter to him Smash Cut starring The Last House on the Left's David Hess and former porn goddess Sasha Grey. I also absolutely ADORE the excellent documentary made about him and his movies, Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore. You all need to do yourselves a favor and seek it out. You will be glad that you did.
I saw him at a Fangoria Weekend of Horrors many years ago, but didn't get to meet him until, last year at Chiller. I feel so lucky that I did. He was such a sweet and funny man.
The gore and horror world has lost a legend, but he will live on in our bloody hearts and in his blood drenched movies. All hail the Godfather of Gore! All hail H.G. Lewis! And, may he RIP, as my condolences go to his family and loved ones.
It had been a very long time (much too long if you ask me) since I had last gone to an Oct Chiller Theatre Convention. And, it was definitely time to change that. So, on Sat. Oct. 24, 2015, I went there with my good friends Freddie and Matt.
The first person that I went up was the beautiful Barbara Crampton. I actually had met her many years back at an old Fangoria Weekend of Horrors, but I didn't have anything for her to sign, expect for the con program. But, I had been wanting to meet her again. After all, Re-Animator is my not just my favorite horror movie, but my favorite movie (of ANY genre) of all time. And, she's been in so many other favorites of mine like From Beyond and Castle Freak. Add to that the fact that I had THE absolute and completely biggest crush on her as a kid, I just had to. And, so I did. Barbara signed my blu-ray of Re-Animator and is just so sweet in person! She loves talking to her fans and is so friendly and down to earth. Not to mention that she is still utterly breathtaking in her beauty!
Next was the Godfather of Gore himself, H.G. Lewis. He was really cool in person, and his assistant was really nice, too. They got a kick that I was a gorehound who carried around a Spongebob folder. He's another person that I had wanted to meet for a long time. I saw him talk at a Fango con once, but he wasn't signing at that one. Well he signed my Wizard of Gore/ Gore, Gore Girls blu-ray, at this one. And, I couldn't have been happier!
The last celeb that I went up was Frankenhooker, herself, the beautiful Patty Mullen. This former Penthouse Pet of the Year and guest judge on one of the editions of WCW's Clash of the Champions is still gorgeous and also very friendly in person. She talked to us and signed my blu-ray copy of Frankenhooker (which I had already gotten signed by the film's writer/ director Frank Henenlotter).
From then it was just hanging out and buying cool shit. As, this is the Oct show, there was lots of cosplay on hand.
This Walking Dead inspired walker guard was freaking cool!
My friend Maria and her brother had THE best cosplay of the night with this kick ass one form Little Shop of Horrors!
After dinner Matt and went back to our room and got into our costumes. This was the first time we had ever done this for Chiller or any other con. And, it was a total fucking blast!! Matt was dressed as one of the Hanson brothers from Slap Shot, while I was the Sith Lord himself, Darth Vader!
The past meets the future as Klyo Ren and I team-up and try to turn this Hanson brother to the dark side!
One of the my favorite costumes had to be this beauty. She was doing the cheerleader from Nirvana's classic video "Smells Like Teen Spirit". I always had a thing for the cheerleaders from that video (cheerleaders + anarchy symbols + great music = everything!). So, seeing someone as truly beautiful as this stunner was in that outfit truly made my night! She was glad I her recognized her costume cause she says a lot don't. Well, I am just gonna say this here: those people are probably lame anyway.
Darth Vader and the Hitchhiker from Creepshow 2 are not happy about YOU killing us!
As always the music was just kicking some major ass and adding to the fun of the Chiller party!
This cutie photobomed my selfie earlier, and she made for such a sexy Harley Quinn that I had to get a pic with her!
Lady Loki and Wolf-Cop!
Darth Vader meets those damn Peanuts kids!
Four badasses at Chiller! At last, Darth Vader vs. Ash from the Evil Dead movies!
Her Blade Runner costume was just awesome! I told her that I loved it and that said film is one of my favorite movies (which it most definitely is!) This little kid loved my costume, which really made me smile and touched my dark Sith heart. His parents, fellow horror fans, made his costume which lit up was just so cool! One of the many fun things was how many people wanted to battle me, the Sith Lord!
This little doggy was just too freaking cute and tiny!
Well, Chiller was a blast, and I hope to never let so much time between Oct Chillers happen again. I also think I may need to do more cosplaying, at this show! Cause I fucking loved it!
H.G. Lewis was born on June 15, 1926 in Pittsburgh. Though his career started with softcore films (which he continued to make for a good chunk of his career), it's his splatter movies that he is most connected with. His first gore film was the legendary Blood Feast. While, horror movies before this either completely lacked graphic violence or only flirted lightly with it (Hammer Studios comes to mind in that department), Blood Feast was extremely graphic and bloody. That the FX were crude and fake didn't matter. Nothing had been seen up and until that point of time like it. As result it was an instant hit at the box office, and would go on to become a cult classic (as many of his other films would).
Sadly, I haven't seen as much of his work I should, with the only other two I saw being Wizard of Gore and The Gore-Gore Girls when I bought the double feature, and excellent, I must add, Blu-ray of them. I plan to revisit the highly enjoyable, wild, and over-the-top Wizard soon. Last night I revisited The Gore-Gore Girls (1972)in his honor. It is my favorite of his, and his last movie for many, many, many years to come until he made Blood Feast 2 (2002).
I loved his role in the thoroughly awesome love letter to him Smash Cut starring The Last House on the Left's David Hess and former porn goddess Sasha Grey. I also absolutely ADORE the excellent documentary made about him and his movies, Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore. You all need to do yourselves a favor and seek it out. You will be glad that you did.
