Movie Theaters: The (Non)News
You know the story here: movie theaters are in trouble. If you happen to live in LA (as I do) then you’re probably well aware that theaters throughout the area were closed for much of the past year, a situation that remains in effect, thus rendering the idea of a theatrical release somewhat redundant right now (regardless of how much Martin Scorsese and Christopher Nolan would like to believe otherwise).
Online streaming, by contrast, experienced a boom period during 2020, for reasons that should be pretty obvious.
Publishing in 2020
On the publishing side of the entertainment fence things are looking much rosier. With print sales up by 8.2 percent, 2020 was, according to Random House’s Madeline McIntosh, “the best year in a very long time” for the publishing industry (although not for J.K. Rowling, whose sales apparently lagged behind those of the rest of the fiction market). The reasons for the spike (again) shouldn’t be too difficult to figure out—as one analyst stated, “All of the additional time people spent at home created a big appetite for reading.”
How long this might continue remains to be seen. The fact that we may be on the verge of returning to some form of normalcy (with may being the operative word) calls into question how much longer this reading boom will last, as does the fact that much of 2020’s bestselling reading material consisted of exposes of a president who’s not going to be in office much longer.
I’ll also have to question how these book buying statistics apply to the micro-niche publishers I like, such as Eibonvale, Atlas, Eibon and Contra Mundum. It’s great that the big publishers are doing well, but let’s not forget about the little guys, without whom publishing just ain’t publishing.
While on the subject of indie publishers…
Let’s turn to Counterpoint Press, who were supposed to put out Bruce Wagner’s new novel THE MARVEL UNIVERSE: ORIGIN STORIES in 2020. Wagner, who’s best known for the nineties miniseries WILD PALMS, isn’t my favorite writer (although I quite like the WILD PALMS graphic novel), but I’m firmly in his camp in this instance of political correctness run amok.
This may seem a passé subject at the moment, but it’s one that pervaded 2020. Regarding THE MARVEL UNIVERSE, it led to Wagner cancelling his publishing agreement and offering up the book for free on his website. The problem, it seems, had to do with Counterpoint’s Sensitivity Readers, who found a “problematic” word. The word in question, “Fat,” has been retained in the version of the novel Wagner posted online, so prospective readers are advised to proceed with caution; such a horrifically offensive term might well cause permanent cerebral damage!
Also…
There were several more examples of Wokeness Gone Wild in 2020, but I don’t want to belabor the point, and nor am I too interested in sparring with the woke mobs (I’ve currently got my hands full with militant Trump supporters). To find out what I’m talking about see here and here, and draw your own conclusions.
The Year’s True Enemy
That, of course, would be Ellen Degeneres, the allegedly kind-hearted talk show titan who throughout 2020 was kicked around in the media more than just about anyone. Her major sin? Mistreating her staff, which is apparently a massive concern of online journalists and social media loudmouths—who in late November actually celebrated the one year anniversary of Dakota Johnson telling Degeneres off on her show in 2019, which apparently kicked off the anti-Ellen train.
Please understand: I’m not a fan of Ellen D. (whose cold and unpleasant nature is widely known), and I’m certainly not unsympathetic to her put-upon staffers. Having worked in the TV trenches, I know what they’re going through; abusing one’s underlings is a hallowed Hollywood tradition, and one that I experienced first-hand.
I also know that the sole ray of hope for the put-upon is the possibility that if they stick it out they’ll someday attain a position of power, and so be able to visit the abuse they received on others. Hence, Ellen Degeneres’s outrages are but manifestations of the Hollywood food chain. She may deserve punishment for her behavior, but it isn’t in any way isolated, and certainly not unusual.
The Bene-ssance
“Go back at school, Adam!” So admonished an Italian reader outraged by an insufficiently enthusiastic review I’d written of a film by Italy’s late Carmelo Bene, apparently “the greatest genius of the 20th Century.” What this reader (who claimed to be “fluent in English”) didn’t understand is that Bene is all-but completely unknown in the US, and so “going back at” (or to) school wouldn’t have done much to enhance my appreciation of the man’s output.
That, however, changed radically in 2020, when not one but two Bene-themed books appeared: MY FILMS WITH CARMELO BENE, a tri-lingual remembrance by Bene’s frequent cinematographer Mario Masini, and I APPEARED TO THE MADONNA, a highly quirky and unorthodox memoir by the man himself. Bene’s art is admittedly something of an acquired taste, but it’s great that non-Italian readers finally have a chance to become acquainted with this idiosyncratic genius.
Of course, from reading the critical reactions to these books it would seem there exist quite a few English speaking Bene “experts” out there—something I strongly doubt. For a guy who really has followed Bene’s career (in filmic form at least) see here.
And Finally…
Elem Klimov’s masterful and horrific 1985 Russian war drama COME AND SEE (IDI I SMOTRI) is a film whose praises I’ve been singing since first viewing it on the Bravo 
channel back in 1990. Over the years interest in the film has steadily increased, to the point that it appears to have entered the ranks of Consensus Masterpieces. Among its admirers is cinematographer Roger Deakins, who in a recent DVD supplement (in which he gushed about it at some length) seemed surprised that COME AND SEE has been referred to by many as “ugly.” It is indeed ugly, in both subject matter and, in its initial releases, presentation, with the print shown on Bravo (and released on VHS by Kino International) afflicted by severely degraded colors and night scenes that were impossible to make out, while the film’s initial DVD release by Ruscico was only marginally better.
I long believed the poor image quality was intentional on the part of Klimov, who (it seemed) was looking to visually enhance the death and oppression depicted in the film. Hence, viewing the 2020 Criterion Blu-ray edition of COME AND SEE was a disconcerting revelation, as in this digitally restored version (whose creation was overseen by the iconic Russian filmmaker Karen Shakhnazarov) the film turns out to be as pictorially rich as anything by Ridley Scott. Viewing this new version was, to use a shopworn cliché, like seeing an entirely new film, and demands to be seen (or re-seen) by anyone with any interest in this vital piece of cinema history.
Favorite Discoveries, Literary and Cinematic
ABED (2012)
A 50 minute zombie-fest that sets new standards for cinematic outrage. Involved is a young woman being held against her will, her zombified husband and his mother, who wants her daughter-in-law impregnated. You can probably guess where it goes from there.
CUT TO THE CHASE by SAM O’STEEN, BOBBIE O’STEEN
Consisting of an extended interview with the late film editor Sam O’Steen (whose credits include ROSEMARY’S BABY, THE GRADUATE and CHINATOWN) shortly before his 2000 demise, this is a film book that’s as gossipy, informative and entertaining as anyone could possibly want.
THE ETERNAL MASK (DIE EWIGE MASKE; 1935)
A forgotten landmark in the expressionist film cycle that, following a rather pedestrian opening, presents a peerlessly haunting and evocative universe of shadowy distortion.
THE GOAT HORN (1972)
A rape-revenge drama from Bulgaria, and a most unlikely Great Film inductee. Dark and brutal yet also quite poetic, THE GOAT HORN makes for a good companion-piece to Ingmar Bergman’s VIRGIN SPRING, and also the previous year’s STRAW DOGS.
NIGHT ON THE TOWN (1981)
A Claymation short that plays like, as a review in Shock Cinema magazine proclaimed, “Will Vinton after 23 hits of black acid,” offering a vision of big city Hell on Earth that remains quite distinct.
THE OK DOLL By PETER GREENAWAY
A never-filmed script by England’s Peter Greenaway that may well be the ultimate man-in-love-with-a-doll story.
OM DAR-B-DAR (1988)
Allegedly the “cultest” Hindi language film ever, although a better summation can be found on the film’s imdb page, which dubs it a “carefully constructed nonsense.”
PARIS-CHAMPAGNE (1964)
Surreal mondo madness from France that offers up a fine mix of sordidness and strangeness, not unlike some unholy collaboration between Russ Meyer and Louis Bunuel.
PURPLE HAZE (1982)
The late 1960s, depicted in a film whose mild-mannered protagonist, mirroring the gist of the decade overall, eventually explodes into violence.
SCORPIO NIGHTS (1985)
This torrid Filipino masterwork depicts a love affair, carried out amid outrageously claustrophobic surroundings, that makes FATAL ATTRACTION look like LITTLE WOMEN.
SÓLEY (1982)
A bizarre Icelandic reverie about “the dream and the reality that meet and go on a journey together,” made by a famed avant-gardist.
THE TALE OF WILLY’S RATS by MICK FARREN
Another late-sixties set artifact. On display is a wild recounting of the adventures of a debauched rock band, written by an author who really knew of what he wrote.
Remembering Those Who’ve Passed On
Joseph Adler (1940-2020) Director: SCREAM BABY SCREAM, REVENGE IS MY DESTINY
Charles Alverson (1935-2020) Screenwriter: JABBERWOCKY, BRAZIL
Bhanu Athaiya (1929-2020) Costume Designer: SIDDHARTHA, NAGIN, THE BURNING TRAIN, AGNEEPATH
Orson Bean (1928-2020) Actor/Author: ANATOMY OF A MURDER, THE TWILIGHT ZONE (TV), ME AND THE ORGONE, FORTY DEUCE, INNERSPACE, MONSTERS (TV), BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, ALIEN AUTOPSY
Chadwick Boseman (1976-2020) Actor: BLACK PANTHER
Ben Bova (1932-2020) Novelist: THX-1138, CITY OF DARKNESS
Wilford Brimley (1934-2020) Actor: DEATH VALLEY, THE THING (1982), 10 TO MIDNIGHT, TERROR IN THE AISLES, COCOON
Lewis John Carlino (1932-2020) Screenwriter/Director: SECONDS, THE MECHANIC, THE SAILOR WHO FELL FROM GRACE WITH THE SEA, I NEVER PROMISED YOU A ROSE GARDEN, HAUNTED SUMMER
Michael Chapman (1935-2020) Cinematographer/Director: TAXI DRIVER, FINGERS, AMERICAN BOY, INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (1978), HARDCORE, RAGING BULL, DEAD MEN DON’T WEAR PLAID, THE MAN WITH TWO BRAINS, THE CLAN OF THE CAVE BEAR, THE LOST BOYS, GOTHAM, SCROOGED, GHOSTBUSTERS II, WHISPERS IN THE DARK, PRIMAL FEAR, THE WATCHER, SUSPECT ZERO
Hélène Châtelain (1935-2020) Actor/Screenwriter/Director:
Mary Higgins Clark (1927-2020) Novelist: WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN?, A STRANGER IS WATCHING, A CRY IN THE NIGHT
Ron Cobb (1937-2020) Cartoonist/Art Director/Production Designer: STAR WARS, ALIEN, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, CONAN THE BARBARIAN, THE LAST STARFIGHTER, AMAZING STORIES (TV), ALIENS, LEVIATHAN, MEET THE HOLLWHEADS, THE ABYSS, ROBOT JOX, TOTAL RECALL, SPACE TRUCKERS, TITAN A.E., SOUTHLAND TALES
Sean Connery (1930-2020) Actor: THE FRIGHTENED CITY, ZARDOZ, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, METEOR, TIME BANDITS, HIGHLANDER, THE NAME OF THE ROSE, HIGHLANDER II: THE QUICKENING, THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN
Alfio Contini (1927-2020) Cinematographer: I MANIACI, THE NIGHT PORTER, FLAVIA THE HERETIC, RIPLEY’S GAME
Stuart Cornfeld (1952-2020) Producer: THE FLY (1986), KAFKA, THE RUINS, VAMPS
Denise Cronenberg (1938-2020) Costume Designer: THE FLY, DEAD RINGERS, THE GUARDIAN, NAKED LUNCH, CRASH, eXistenZ, DRACULA 2000, SPIDER, DAWN OF THE DEAD (2004), A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
Ben Cross (1947-2020) Actor: THE UNHOLY, PAPERHOUSE, HELLFIRE, EXORCIST: THE BEGINNING, STAR TREK
Allen Daviau: (1942-2020) Cinematographer: E.T.: THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL, TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE, AMAZING STORIES (TV), EMPIRE OF THE SUN, CONGO, THE ASTRONAUT’S WIFE
Brian Dennehy (1938-2020) Actor: LOOKING FOR MR. GOODBAR, ANTS!, SPLIT IMAGE, COCOON, F/X, THE BELLY OF AN ARCHITECT, BEST SELLER, DAY ONE, PESUMED INNOCENT, FAIL SAFE (2000), ASSAULT ON PRECENCT 13 (2005)
Malcolm Dixon (1934-2020) Actor: WILLY WONKA AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, FLASH GORDON, TIME BANDITS, THE DARK CRYSTAL, LABYRINTH
Kirk Douglas (1916-2020) Actor: OUT OF THE PAST, 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA, PATHS OF GLORY, THE LIST OF ADRIAN MESSENGER, THE SEVEN DAYS IN MAY, DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (1973), THE FURY, HOME MOVIES, SATURN 3, THE FINAL COUNTDOWN, TALES FROM THE CRYPT (TV)
F.X. Feeney (1953-2020) Screenwriter/Producer: FRANKENSTEIN UNBOUND, Z CHANNEL: A MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION
Edward S. Feldman (1929-2020) Producer: WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH HELEN?, THE SENDER, HOT DOG…THE MOVIE, EXPLORERS, THE HITCHER, HAMBURGER: THE MOTION PICTURE, NEAR DARK, THE TRUMAN SHOW
Mike Fenton (1935-2020) Casting Director: DILLINGER, CHINATOWN, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, MARATHON MAN, DAMNATION ALLEY, FINGERS, THE END, THE AMITYVILLE HORROR, GHOST STORY, E.T.: THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL, POLTERGEIST (1982), MEGAFORCE, BLADE RUNNER, WHITE DOG, TIMERIDER, TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE, MICHAEL JACKSON: THRILLER, FLESH+BLOOD, RETURN TO OZ, BACK TO THE FUTURE, AMAZING STORIES (TV), INNERSPACE, TOTAL RECALL, ARACHNOPHOBIA, FORTRESS (1992), WEIRDSVILLE
Conchata Ferrell (1943-2020) Actor: FAIRIE TALE THEATRE (TV), WHERE THE RIVER RUNS BLACK, EDWARD SCISSORHANDS, TRUE ROMANCE, MODERN VAMPIRES, BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER (TV), FRANKENWEENIE (2012), KRAMPUS (2015)
Lee Fierro (1929-2020) Actor: JAWS, JAWS: THE REVENGE
Peque Gallaga (1943-2020) Director: SHAKE, RATTLE & ROLL, SCORPIO NIGHTS, ASWANG
Allen Garfield (1939-2020) Actor: PUTNEY SWOPE, TAKING OFF, TOP OF THE HEAP, THE STUNT MAN, THE STATE OF THINGS, GET CRAZY, MY BEST FRIEND’S BIRTHDAY, TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE (TV), UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD, WILD SIDE, DIABOLIQUE (1996), THE NINTH GATE
David Giler (1943-2020) Screenwriter/Producer: MYRA BRACKINRIDGE, ALIEN, SOUTHERN COMFORT, ALIENS, ALIEN 3, DEMON KNIGHT, BORDELLO OF BLOOD, ALIEN RESURRECTION, RITUAL, ALIEN VS. PREDATOR, ALIENS VS. PREDTOR: REQUIEM, PROMETHEUS, ALIEN: COVENANT
Juan Giménez (1943-2020) Comic Book Artist: Heavy Metal Magazine, THE METABRONS, HEAVY METAL (1981), FOURTH POWER
Charles Gordon (1947-2020) Producer: NIGHT OF THE CREEPS, LEVIATHAN, THE ROCKETEER, WATERWORLD
Stuart Gordon (1947-2020) Director: RE-ANIMATOR, FROM BEYOND, DOLLS, ROBOT JOX, THE PIT AND THE PENDULUM, FORTRESS (1992), CASTLE FREAK, SPACE TRUCKERS, DAGON, KING OF THE ANTS, EDMUND, MASTERS OF HORROR (TV), STUCK, FEAR ITSELF (TV)
Juliette Gréco (1927-2020) Actor: ORPHEUS, CRACK IN THE MIRROR, BELPHEGOR (2001)
Cliff Green (1934-2020) Screenwriter: PICNIC AT HANGING ROCK
Ronald Harwood (1934-2020) Novelist/Playwright/Screenwriter: EYEWITNESS, THE DOCTOR AND THE DEVILS, THE PIANIST, THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY
Olivia de Havilland (1916-2020) Actor: THE DARK MIRROR, THE SNAKE PIT, LADY IN A CAGE, HUSH…HUSH SWEET CHARLOTTE, THE SCREAMING WOMAN, THE SWARM
Buck Henry (1930-2020) Actor/Screenwriter: CANDY, TAKING OFF, THE DAY OF THE DOLPHIN, THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH, EATING RAOUL, ALFRED HITCHOCK PRESENTS (1985), ARIA, TALES FROM THE CRYPT (TV), TO DIE FOR, BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS
Dan Hicks (1951-2020) Actor: EVIL DEAD II, MANIAC COP, INTRUDER, DARKMAN, 2001 MANIACS, MY NAME IS BRUCE, OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL
Ian Holm (1931-2020) Actor: OH! WHAT A LOVELY WAR, ALIEN, TIME BANDITS, TERROR IN THE AISLES, DREAMCHILD, BRAZIL, NAKED LUNCH, KAFKA, MARY SHELLY’S FRANKENSTEIN, THE FIFTH ELEMENT, eXistenZ, WISCONSIN DEATH TRIP, FROM HELL
Enrique Irazoqui (1944-2020) Actor: THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW, DANTE NO ES UNICAMENTE SEVERO
Terry Jones (1942-2020) Screenwriter/Actor/Producer/Director: MONTY PYTHON’S FLYING CIRCUS (TV), MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL, MONTY PYTHON’S LIFE OF BRIAN, THE MEANING OF LIFE, LABYRINTH, CONSUMING PASSIONS
John Karlen (1933-2020) Actor: DARK SHADOWS (TV), HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS, DAUGHTERS OF DARKNESS, NIGHT OF DARK SHADOWS, NIGHT GALLERY (TV), THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY (1973), TRILOGY OF TERROR, SUPERTRAIN (TV), PENNIES FROM HEAVEN, IMPULSE
Hugh Keays-Byrne (1947-2020) Actor: STONE, MAD DOG MORGAN, DEATH TRAIN, MAD MAX, WHERE THE GREEN ANTS DREAM, THE BLOOD OF HEROES, SLEEPING BEAUTY, MAD MAX: FURY ROAD
Irrfan Khan (1967-2020) Actor: HISSS, LIFE OF PI, JURASSIC WORLD
Kim Ki-duk (1960-2020) Screenwriter/Director: THE ISLE, BAD GUY, 3-IRON, TIME, DREAM
Gary B. Kibbe (1941-2020) Cinematographer: PRINCE OF DARKNESS, THEY LIVE, TALES FROM THE CRYPT (TV), ROBOCOP 3, BODY BAGS, IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS, VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED (1995), ESCAPE FROM L.A., VAMPIRES, GHOSTS OF MARS
Gary Howard Klar (1947-2020) Actor: STREETWALKIN’, DAY OF THE DEAD, HACKERS
Douglas Knapp (1949-2020) Cinematographer: DARK STAR, ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 (1976), STAR TREK: VOYAGER (TV), STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE (TV)
Shirley Knight (1936-2020) Actor: THE OUTER LIMITS (TV), TALES OF THE UNEXPECTED (TV), THE SENDER, COLOR OF NIGHT, INDICTMENT: THE McMARTIN TRIAL, DIABOLIQUE (1996)
Yasumi Kobayashi (1962-2020) Writer: LAIRS OF THE HIDDEN GODS VOLUME 3, SPECULATIVE JAPAN 2
John Lafia (1957-2020) Screenwriter/Director: CHILD’S PLAY, FREDDY’S NIGHTMARES (TV), CHILD’S PLAY 2, MAN’S BEST FRIEND, JOE BOB’S DRIVE-IN THEATER, BABYLON 5 (TV), MONSTER!, THE DEAD ZONE (TV), THE RATS
David Lander (1947-2020) Actor: CRACKING UP, 1941, USED CARS, WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT, MONSTERS (TV), TITAN A.E., FREDDY’S NIGHTMARES (TV), TWIN PEAKS (TV), SCARY MOVIE
Dieter Laser (1942-2020) Actor: THE GLASS CELL, WIR, THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE, THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE 3
Tommy Lister Jr. (1958-2020) Actor: RUNAWAY TRAIN, PRISON, MIDNIGHT (1989), HOMER AND EDDIE, TRESSPASS (1992), THE FIFTH ELEMENT, JACKIE BROWN, WISHMASTER II: EVIL NEVER DIES, LITTLE NICKY, DRACULA 3000, SANTA’S SLAY, THE DARK KNIGHT, THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE 3
Michael Lonsdale (1931-2020) Actor: THE TRIAL (1962), THE BRIDE WORE BLACK, SUCCESSIVE SLIDINGS OF PLEASURE, THE PHANTOM OF LIBERTY, CHRONOPOLIS (1982), THE NAME OF THE ROSE, WOYZECK (1993), GOYA’S GHOSTS
Richard A. Lupoff (1935-2020) Novelist: LOVECRAFT’S BOOK, MARBELHEAD
Malcolm Marmorstein (1928-2020) Screenwriter/Director: DARK SHADOWS (TV), NIGHT GALLERY (TV), MARY MARY BLOODY MARY, DEAD MEN DON’T DIE
Linda Manz (1961-2020) Actor: THE WANDERERS, DAYS OF HEAVEN, OUT OF THE BLUE, GUMMO, THE GAME
José Mojica Marins (1939-2020) Director/Screenwriter/Actor: AT MIDNIGHT I’LL TAKE YOUR SOUL, THIS NIGHT I’LL POSSESS YOUR CORPSE, TRILOGIA OF TERROR, THE STRANGE WORLD OF COFFIN JOE, AWAKENING OF THE BEAST, EXORMCISMO NEGRO, THE STRANGE HOSTEL OF NAKED PLEASURES, HELLISH FLESH, HALLUCINATIONS OF A DERANGED MIND
Jiří Menzel (1938-2020) Screenwriter/Director/Actor: THE CREMATOR, THE APPLE GAME, FERAT VAMPIRE
Monique Mercure (1930-2020) Actor: MON ONCLE ANTOINE, LE TEMPS D’UNE CHASSE, ODYSSEY OF THE PACIFIC, THE BLOOD OF OTHERS, NAKED LUNCH, SAINT MARTYRS OF THE DAMNED
Alan Metter (1942-2020) Director: BACK TO SCHOOL, COLD DOG SOUP
Ennio Morricone (1928-2020) Composer: NIGHTMARE CASTLE, THE BIBLE: IN THE BEGINNING, THE WITCHES, DANGER: DIABOLIK, TEOREMA, A QUIET PLACE IN THE COUNTRY, THE GREAT SILENCE, H2S, INVESTIGATION OF A CITIZEN ABOVE SUSPICION, THE BIRD WITH THE CRYSTAL PLUMAGE, THE CAT O’NINE TAILS, A LIZARD IN A WOMAN’S SKIN, COLD EYES OF FEAR, TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE, FOUR FLIES ON GREY VELVET, ALMOST HUMAN, THE ANTICHRIST, LEONOR, HITCH-HIKE, EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC, THE ISLAND (1980), THE THING, WHITE DOG, ORDER OF DEATH, RAMPAGE, FRANTIC, A PURE FORMALITY, WOLF, THE STENDHAL SYNDROME, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1998), MISSION TO MARS, RIPLEY’S GAME, THE UNKNOWN WOMAN
Lori Nelson (1933-2020) Actor: REVENGE OF THE CREATURE, DAY THE WORLD ENDED, THE NAKED MONSTER!
Daria Nicolodi (1950-2020) Actor/Screenwriter: SALOME (1972), DEEP RED, SUSPIRIA, SHOCK, INFERNO, TENEBRE, PHENOMENA, OPERA, PAGANINI HORROR, THE SECT, SCARLET DIVA
Nobuhiko Obayashi (1938-2020) Director: HOUSE, THE AIMED SCHOOL, THE DRIFTING CLASSROOM, THE DISCARNATES, SADA
George Ogilvie (1931-2020) Director: MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME
Ken Osmond (1943-2020) Actor: THE MUNSTERS (TV), DEAD WOMEN IN LINGERIE
Juan Padrón (1947-2020) Comics Artist/Animator: VAMPIRES IN HAVANA
Alan Parker (1944-2020) Screenwriter/Director: MIDNIGHT EXPRESS, PINK FLOYD: THE WALL, BIRDY, ANGEL HEART, THE LIFE OF DAVID GALE
Goran Paskaljević (1947-2020) Director: CABARET BALKAN, THE OPTIMISTS
Ivan Passer (1933-2020) Director: CUTTER’S WAY, FAIRIE TALE THEATRE (TV), HAUNTED SUMMER
Michel Piccoli (1925-2020) Actor: DIARY OF A CHAMBERMAID, THE SLEEPING CAR MURDERS, BELLE DE JOUR, DANGER: DIABOLIK, LA PRISONNIERE, DILLINGER IS DEAD, TOPAZ, LIZA, THE DISCREET CHARM OF THE BOURGEOISE, THEMROC, LE GRAND BOUFFE, DON’T TOUCH THE WHITE WOMAN!, GRANDEUR NATURE, LEONOR, THE LAST WOMAN, MAUVAIS SANG, HOLY MOTORS
Boris Plotnikov (1949-2020) Actor: THE ASCENT, THE SAVAGE HUNT OF KING STACH, HEART OF A DOG
Tom Pollock (1943-2020) Producer: KILLING ME SOFTLY, DISTURBIA, THE UNINVITED, CHLOE, HITCHCOCK
Lovelady Powell (1930-2020) Actor: DARK SHADOWS (TV), THE POSSESSION OF JOEL DELANEY
Kelly Preston (1962-2020) Actor: 10 TO MIDNIGHT, METALSTORM: THE DESTRUCTION OF JARED-SYN, CHRISTINE, SPACE CAMP, AMAZON WOMEN ON THE MOON, TALES FROM THE CRYPT (TV), FROM DUSK TILL DAWN, CURDLED, JACK FROST, BATTLEFIELD EARTH, DEATH SENTENCE
David Prowse (1935-2020) Actor: THE HORROR OF FRANKENSTEIN, A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, VAMPIRE CIRCUS, DOCTOR WHO (TV), FRANKENSTEIN AND THE MONSTER FROM HELL, SPACE: 1999 (TV), STAR WARS, JABBERWOCKY, THE PEOPLE THAT TIME FORGOT, THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, RETURN OF THE JEDI
Wojciech Pszoniak (1942-2020) Actor: DIABEL, THE TIN DRUM, GOLEM (1980), ROSEMARY’S BABY (2014)
Adolfo Quinones (1955-2020) Actor/Dancer: XANADU, BREAKIN, BREAKIN 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO
Kevin Rafferty (1947-2020) Director: THE ATOMIC CAFÉ, BLOOD IN THE FACE
Jean Raspail (1925-2020) Novelist: THE CAMP OF THE SAINTS, BLUE ISLAND
Elsa Raven (1929-2020) Actor: THE HONEYMOON KILLERS, THE AMITYVILLE HORROR, AMERICAN POP, TWILIGHT ZONE: THE MOVIE, BACK TO THE FUTURE, THE MODERNS, FEARLESS
Joel M. Reed (1933-2020) Director/Screenwriter/Actor: BLOOD BATH, BLOODSUCKING FREAKS, NIGHT OF THE ZOMBIES
Carl Reiner (1922-2020) Director/Screenwriter/Actor: WHERE’S POPPA?, NIGHT GALLERY (TV), THE END, DEAD MEN DON’T WEAR PLAID, THE MAN WITH TWO BRAINS, FATAL INSTINCT
Mike Resnick (1942-2020) Novelist: REDBEARD, STALKING THE UNICORN, THE BUNTINE SPECIAL, THE MASTER OF DREAMS
Luke Rhinehart (1932-2020) Novelist: THE DICE MAN, LONG VOYAGE BACK, THE SEARCH FOR THE DICE MAN
Diana Rigg (1938-2020) Actor: THEATRE OF BLOOD, THE WORST WITCH, REBECCA (1997)
Naya Rivera (1987-2020) Actor: AT THE DEVIL’S DOOR
Giovanni Romanini (1945-2020) Comic Book Artist/Cartoonist: DIABOLIK, SATANIK
Reni Santoni (1938-2020) Actor: STRANGERS IN THE CITY, I NEVER PROMISED YOU A ROSE GARDEN, DEAD MEN DON’T WEAR PLAID, RADIOACTIVE DREAMS, COBRA, PRIVATE PARTS (1997)
John Saxon (1936-2020) Actor: THE GIRL WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, QUEEN OF BLOOD, BLACK CHRISTMAS, THE BEES, FAST COMPANY, THE GLOVE, CANNIBAL APOCALYPSE, BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS, BLOOD BEACH, TENEBRAE, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS, WED CRAVEN’S NEW NIGHTMARE, FROM DUSK TILL DAWN
Joel Schumacher (1939-2020) Director: THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING WOMAN, THE LOST BOYS, FLATLINERS, FALLING DOWN, BATMAN FOREVER, BATMAN AND ROBIN, 8MM, PHONE BOOTH, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (2004), THE NUMBER 23, TRESPASS (2011)
Jacqueline Scott (1931-2020) Actor: MACABRE (1958), THE TWILIGHT ZONE (TV), THE ALFRED HITCHCOCK HOUR (TV), THE OUTER LIMITS (TV), DUEL, PLANET OF THE APES (TV), EMPIRE OF THE ANTS
Matty Simmons (1926-2020) Magazine Publisher/Producer: National Lampoon Magazine, DISCO BEAVER FROM OUTER SPACE, CLASS REUNION
Guy N. Smith (1939-2020) Novelist: NIGHT OF THE CRABS, DEAD MEAT, THE SUCKING PIT, THE SLIME BEAST, BATS OUT OF HELL, FIEND, THE CAMP, MANIA, WRITING HORROR FICTION
Fernando Solanas (1936-2020) Director: THE HOUR OF THE FURNACES
Peter Sova (1944-2020) Cinematographer: SHORT EYES, FATHERLAND, CLOSE YOUR EYES, WICKER PARK, THE STRANGERS
Volker Spengler (1939-2020) Actor: MACBETH (1974), SATAN’S BREW, ADOLF AND MARLENE, DESPAIR, BERLIN ALEXANDERPLATZ (TV), 100 YEARS OF ADOLF HITLER, GERMAN CHAINSAW MASSACRE
Billy Hin-Shing Tang (1951-2020) Director: DR. LAMB, RUN AND KILL, BROTHER OF DARKNESS, RED TO KILL, DIAL D FOR DEMONS, CHINESE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS
Dyanne Thorne (1936-2020) Actor: STAR TREK (TV), PINOCCHIO (1971), POINT OF TERROR, BLOOD SABBATH, ISLA: SHE WOLF OF THE SS, ILSA: HAREM KEEPER OF THE OIL SHIEKS, ILSA: THE WICKED WARDEN, ILSA THE TIGRESS OF SIBERIA, HELLHOLE, ARIA
Alex Trebek (1940-2020) Actor/TV Host: PREDATOR 2, THE X FILES, SHORT CUTS
Joseph Vilsmaier (1939-2020) Cinematographer/Director: BROTHER OF SLEEP
Lyle Waggoner (1935-2020) Actor: LOST IN SPACE (TV), JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF TIME, LOVE ME DEADLY, WONDER WOMAN (TV), SUPERTRAIN, SURF II, DEAD WOMEN IN LINGERIE
Kent L. Wakeford (1928-2020) Cinematographer: MEAN STREETS, ALICE DOESN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE, NIGHT EYES II, HOLD ME THRILL ME KISS ME, SOME FOLKS CALL IT A SLING BLADE
Dawn Wells (1938-2020) Actor: THE INVADERS (TV), THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN, RETURN TO BOGGY CREEK, THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS ON GILLIGAN’S ISLAND
Fred Willard (1933-2020) Actor: THE HARRAD EXPERIMENT, AMERICATHON, SALEM’S LOT, MOVING VIOLATIONS, IDLE HANDS
Johnny Yune (1936-2020) Actor/Screenwriter/Director: THEY CALL ME BRUCE?, THEY STILL CALL ME BRUCE