Herschell Gordon Lewis

Born on June 15, 1929 in Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania),  Herschell Gordon Lewis ‘s childhood  was marked by the untimely disappearance of his father. After studying Journalism at Northwestern University, in Evanston, Illinois, to later work as a professor of English literature.

However, he ended up leaving teaching to dedicate himself to the world of advertising, making his debut as a director of television commercials. He began in the world of cinema associating with the producer David F. Friedman, who exploited very low-budget films, and little interest, characterized by the fact that they included numerous scenes of female nudes, which did not appear in the films of the big production companies in the years 60. He commissioned Lewis’ debut feature,  Living Venus , which loosely recreated the story of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner.

They continued in zero-quality erotic cinema until the vein ran out. They decided to go to extreme violence. Thus, Lewis directed  Blood Feast , around a psychopath who persecutes beauties, whom he savagely mutilates. Here the interpretations do not matter, nor the story, nor the photography, nor anything other than the bloody excesses, which is why it is considered the first ‘gore’ film in history.

“I always compare  Blood Feast  to a Walt Whitman poem, not because it’s good, but because it’s the first of its kind,” he went on to say.

Despite its modest budget, it was successful in the drive-in market and in double-screen theaters, to the point that it raised four million dollars, when it had cost 40,000. This allowed Friedman and Lewis to continue with films in the same vein, such as  2000 Maniacs , their biggest hit, where six lost travelers end up in a small southern town with disturbing neighbors.

“Human beings have always had an enormous thirst for blood,” declared the filmmaker. “I think it is an inherent fact of our nature. We are cultural ‘voyeurs’ who have that need. But we are not social commentators, we portray what is around us,” he added.

After his 60s, powerful production companies began to encroach on his land, so Lewis decided to concentrate on his advertising career. However, with the arrival of the 21st century, he had become a kind of cult filmmaker for fans of extreme films, which is why some of his titles were revived in theaters. He decided to return to directing, in 2002 with  Blood Feast 2: All U Can Eat,  sequel to his first big hit. He leaves BloodMania in post-production  .

Married to Margot Lewis, the filmmaker had two children who survive him.