Herschell Gordon Lewis is my favorite cult film director. He has directed such films as Blood Feast, 2000 Maniacs, The Wizard of Gore and Blood Feast 2. He was so kind enough to let me interview him, so here it is.

Kristy Langford: You have made some awesome cult horror films. Do you like horror? If so, what are your favorite horror films?


Herschell Gordon Lewis: I find contemporary horror films formulaic. The "Scream" series was (to me) not the least bit horrifying. The Freddies and Houses on Elm Street are repetitive. So when I rent DVDs from Netflix I center on action and comedy.

KL: How did you get started in the film industry?

HGL: I was in the advertising business and bought a half-interest in a small commercial film studio. To compete, we had to buy 35mm motion picture equipment … and that led to considering features, because I then had both the technical and directorial background to make movies.

KL: Blood Feast is one of my favorite films and I loved the tongue ripping scene. What was it like to film that scene?


HGL: We had a blast shooting the tongue scene. Afterward, one question hung in the air: Could we actually insert that scene into a movie without having theatre owners jump down our necks? But yes, that was the watershed scene.

KL: Fuad Ramses was my favorite character. What was it like to work with Mal Arnold? Do you ever hear from him anymore?


HGL: I understand Mal Arnold is in the real estate business somewhere near here. He always was cooperative, and the in-joke he and I shared was that he had just played a young "tough" in "Scum of the Earth," moving directly into the eyebrow-popping role of Fuad Ramses.

KL: I loved Blood Feast 2. What made you decide that you wanted to do a sequel?


HGL: Over the years, many so-called producers have said to me, "Let's make 'Blood Feast 2.'" My defense-mechanism was, "Put your deal together and call me." A fellow named Jacky Morgan actually put a deal together and called me. When he agreed to insert some of the black-humor touches I suggested, I wasn't about to pass up the opportunity. And it was exhilarating!

KL: Are there any projects that you are currently working on?


HGL: I want to make "Grim Fairy Tale," which I may retitle "Uh-oh." But it won't happen until and unless a producer comes up with a respectable deal. Meanwhile, as you know, I'm kept busy by being very much into the world of marketing.

KL: Before we go, is there anything that you would like to say to all your fans out there?


HGL: To my fans: Bless you. You're my kind of people - totally nuts. That you understand what we did so many years ago and still find these films interesting is as heartwarming (and as undeserved) a tribute as any film director could ever hope to have.

KL:  I really want to thank you for taking the time to do this interview with me. You are great!


HGL: No problem.