Review: HERSCHELL GORDON LEWIS: THE GODFATHER OF GORE

When Herschell Gordon Lewis passed away a couple on months ago, it served as a reminder to me that, while I was familiar with the man and his work, I had never actually watched any of his films. Still not sure if I wanted to, honestly, but seeking to learn more about them, all the same, I sought out the documentary HERSCELL GORDON LEWIS: THE GODFATHER OF GORE. Even Joe Bob Briggs, a friend of Lewis’s and an admirer of his films, had suggested that the documentary would be an excellent way for an interested party to educate themselves on the subject, or subjects, without needing to sit through the movies. They are, after all, and despite their importance, awfully bad pictures. They are pure exploitation, amateurish and cheap. Lewis himself never made any pretenses otherwise. Yet they have a place in cinematic history all the same. Lewis invented the “splatter film,” and, as gore was the only thing he had going for him, he made the most of it.

Outsiders who would demonize the man for his work will find it surprising, if they watch the documentary, that Lewis comes across as so immensely likeable and intelligent. In truth he was a genius at marketing, and by far the most interesting parts of his biography for me were his recounting of his varied attempts to get his films “over” and turn a buck, all while having a right good time not taking himself or his subject matter at all seriously. I recommend all Horror fans check out this documentary; the more adventuresome ones may want to seek out Lewis’s movies themselves. If one can say nothing else positive about them, they were truly groundbreaking.

By TheCheezman

WAYNE MILLER is the owner and creative director of Evil Cheez Productions (www.evilcheezproductions.com - www.evilcheezproductions.blogspot.com - www.facebook.com/evilcheezproductions) specializing in theatrical performances and haunted attractions. He has written, produced and directed over a dozen plays, most of them in the Horror and Crime genres. And he really likes vampires and werewolves. Like, a LOT.

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