Stuart Gordon, Cult Classic Horror Director, Dies at 72 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Torgo · 03-25-2020, 07:42 AM

Stuart Gordon, best known as the filmmaker behind such cult classics as “Re-Animator” and “From Beyond,” has died, his family confirmed to Variety Tuesday night. He was 72.

Although best known for his seminal work in independent horror, Gordon had a varied career that included founding the Organic Theater Company with his wife, Carolyn Purdy-Gordon. The Organic premiered such prominent works as David Mamet’s “Sexual Perversity in Chicago” and “Bleacher Bums,” which starred Dennis Franz and Joe Mantegna. He was a co-creator of the “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” franchise, for which he shared a story credit, and produced the film’s sequel and directed an episode of the TV spin-off. In 2005, he directed a film adaptation of Mamet’s “Edmond,” starring William H. Macy. Other films include “Fortress,” “Castle Freak” and “King of the Ants.”

In recent years, Gordon was active in L.A. theater, finding success directing the solo show “Nevermore…An Evening with Edgar Allen Poe” starring his “Re-Animator” star Jeffrey Combs. He also directed and co-wrote the book for “Re-Animator: The Musical,” which won several awards and was praised by a Variety critic, who wrote, “not since ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ has a screamfest tuner so deftly balanced seriousness and camp.”

Gordon also won a Stage Raw Award for directing “Taste,” a two-person drama that premiered in 2014, based on a true story where one man agrees to be eaten by another.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Purdy-Gordon, daughters Suzanna, Jillian and Margaret Gordon, four grandchildren and his brother, David George Gordon.

https://variety.com/2020/film/news/s...QnHmIYykE4xKa4

Torgo · 03-25-2020, 03:19 PM

Besides Re-Animator and From Beyond, Stuart Gordon also directed the HP Lovecraft film Dagon, which was more of an an adaption of Lovecraft's The Shadow Over Innsmouth.

He also directed Dolls, one of the best killer dolls movies. His real life wife (Carolyn Purdy-Gordon) played the bitchy stepmother perfectly.

AB · 03-25-2020, 05:51 PM

Rest in peace.

JamesG · 03-26-2020, 04:53 AM

I was saddened to hear this.

I remember from his docu. included on "Masters of Horror" where his wife said that he wasn't a fan of gore as he was very squeamish.

MA · 03-30-2020, 06:56 AM

I was only familiar with him through Honey, We Shrunk The Kids and Honey, We Blew Up The Kid and that was it.

03-25-2020, 07:42 AM	#1
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,033	Stuart Gordon, Cult Classic Horror Director, Dies at 72 Stuart Gordon, best known as the filmmaker behind such cult classics as “Re-Animator” and “From Beyond,” has died, his family confirmed to Variety Tuesday night. He was 72. Although best known for his seminal work in independent horror, Gordon had a varied career that included founding the Organic Theater Company with his wife, Carolyn Purdy-Gordon. The Organic premiered such prominent works as David Mamet’s “Sexual Perversity in Chicago” and “Bleacher Bums,” which starred Dennis Franz and Joe Mantegna. He was a co-creator of the “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” franchise, for which he shared a story credit, and produced the film’s sequel and directed an episode of the TV spin-off. In 2005, he directed a film adaptation of Mamet’s “Edmond,” starring William H. Macy. Other films include “Fortress,” “Castle Freak” and “King of the Ants.” In recent years, Gordon was active in L.A. theater, finding success directing the solo show “Nevermore…An Evening with Edgar Allen Poe” starring his “Re-Animator” star Jeffrey Combs. He also directed and co-wrote the book for “Re-Animator: The Musical,” which won several awards and was praised by a Variety critic, who wrote, “not since ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ has a screamfest tuner so deftly balanced seriousness and camp.” Gordon also won a Stage Raw Award for directing “Taste,” a two-person drama that premiered in 2014, based on a true story where one man agrees to be eaten by another. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Purdy-Gordon, daughters Suzanna, Jillian and Margaret Gordon, four grandchildren and his brother, David George Gordon. https://variety.com/2020/film/news/s...QnHmIYykE4xKa4 Attached Images
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03-30-2020, 06:56 AM	#5
MA Member Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: May 20, 2017 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127,567	I was only familiar with him through Honey, We Shrunk The Kids and Honey, We Blew Up The Kid and that was it.
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03-25-2020, 03:19 PM	#2
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,033	Besides Re-Animator and From Beyond, Stuart Gordon also directed the HP Lovecraft film Dagon, which was more of an an adaption of Lovecraft's The Shadow Over Innsmouth. He also directed Dolls, one of the best killer dolls movies. His real life wife (Carolyn Purdy-Gordon) played the bitchy stepmother perfectly.

03-25-2020, 05:51 PM	#3
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,428	Rest in peace.

03-26-2020, 04:53 AM	#4
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,127	I was saddened to hear this. I remember from his docu. included on "Masters of Horror" where his wife said that he wasn't a fan of gore as he was very squeamish.