|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
"You don't need someone to write a great story for a film when the people have already written a great story with their lives." -- D.W. Griffith
The following interviews are indispensable in respect to understanding the films of William Girdler. You can read them in any order you choose. Just click on the "Next Page" link in the bottom right corner to hop from page to page. These links will also take you to new interviews when you finish up. Or, you can return to this page when you complete an article. I recommend you start with the first interview and work your way through to the last so you experience the desired effect.
Also check out the Plot Summaries to read commentaries from Pat Kelly, David Sheldon, Michael Clifford, and more!
 |
Don Wrege was 17 when he joined the crew of William Girdler's debut feature Asylum of Satan. His witty stories make for a breezy and entertaining read. This was the very first interview published at William Girdler.com.
|
 |
Exploitation auteur Lee Jones helped make Billy Girdler's movie dreams become realities. Lee Jones is a man of many talents: one of which is speaking about his old friend.
|
 |
Hugh Smith starred in Billy's The Zebra Killer and Three on a Meathook. He was also a partner in Mid America Pictures until a falling out with Billy spurred him to conquer Hollywood by himself. In what is easily the most revealing site interview to date, Hugh describes his days with Billy, as well as their eventual reconciliation.
|
 |
Seventies mega-star Carol Speed talks about her experiences on the sets of Abby, her memories of Louisville, and her fondness for Girdler's possession opus.
|
 |
Some people go the whole nine yards to follow their obsessions. I'll go at least 648 miles. I traveled to Louisville, Kentucky in June of 2000 to learn more about my favorite filmmaker. Together with Louisville native Tobin Fields, we scoured the city for all traces of Girdler. Lee Jones gave us a guided tour of Bill's old studio. I spoke with Joe Schulten, a personal friend and financier for several Girdler movies. I also spoke with Lois Haynie, the script supervisor on Girdler's Kentucky films. I could go on and on. Just read it. This is the beefiest portion of the site and it also houses some of the best media clips.
|
 |
Girdler's adaptation of Graham Masterton's smash horror novel The Manitou would have changed the entire scope of Bill's career had he lived to see it. Graham Masterton talks with WG.com about his role in the movie's creative process, his working relationship with Girdler, and his impressions of the final film.
|
 |
Simply amazing audio interviews with William Girdler, Michael Ansara, Susan Strasberg, and Ann Sothern. The spots come from a 1977 LP that was distributed for radio broadcasts.
|
 |
New! A phenomenal short documentary about the making of Grizzly from 1976. The super-rare video features William Girdler in action, among other things. Special thanks to Brent Girdler for providing this mouth-watering treat!
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
