What was William Girdler like as a director?
Derivative. On purpose. A very successful businessman told me, "good
business is simply the shortest path to money." Kind of a cold view, but
very valid. Girdler was a businessman first, and a director as a means to
an end. Bill was interested in making money and films. In that order.
That said, I can tell you that the one production I was on, we were all
inspired to do our best and to work hard. I never heard anyone complain
outside of Carla showing her tits and whom can blame her?
I remember two quotes whenever I think of Bill Girdler. The first is the
"turkey" comment about the movie he was making at the moment. This gave me
very clear insight to what kind of director he was at the time. The other
quote was from a newspaper article. He had received a bad review for one of
his exploitation films and said, if I may paraphrase, "I make a hundred
thousand dollars a year? Why should I respect the opinion of someone who
makes ten?"
What was his personality like? How did people on the set view him?
Into himself, out for himself. More power to him. His wife seemed to
believe in him and seemed very supportive, from what I can remember of
"Asylum..."
Did you know Barbara Girdler? What was she like?
She was very supportive and busy. I think she was in charge of wardrobe
(possibly among other things). She worked very hard.
Any places in Kentucky where Girdler is still fondly remembered?
I remember him fondly. He taught me a lot, sometimes the hard way. As for
anyone else, I imagine there are people who worked on the movie who have
their own stories to tell, and I'd love to hear them. I would especially be
interested in the girl who "fainted" during the invocation.
END.
