Phil Tucker (May 22, 1927 – November 30, 1985) was an American film director, producer, writer, and editor. While Tucker directed his first six feature films in the span of two years (while still in his mid-20s), he is best known for his first film, the science fiction B movieRobot Monster, often considered an example of "so bad it's good" film-making in the Ed Wood vein, and for the Lenny Bruce movie Dance Hall Racket featuring Bruce's wife Honey Harlow.
In 1952, he was reportedly offered $300,000 to make a sympathetic biopic about Lucky Luciano.[1]
In December 1953, he attempted suicide in response to the poor reception of Robot Monster and his subsequent inability to find work.[1] According to Keep Watching The Skies! by Bill Warren, his attempted suicide was actually fueled by depression and a dispute with the film's distributor, who had allegedly refused to pay Tucker his contracted percentage of the film's profits.
There are further claims that after 1955, Tucker was blacklisted within the film industry, though he did go on to direct a number of other productions, including 1960's The Cape Canaveral Monsters.
By the 1970s, Tucker had established himself as a formidable film editor, finally escaping the stigma of his early directorial work. He contributed to such well-known films as Orca and the 1976 remake of King Kong, and remained in post-production throughout the rest of his career.
In addition to his love of film, Tucker had an avid interest in all things mechanical. He invented a rotary engine known as the CT Surge Turbine (CT stood for Carnot/Tucker) for which he was granted a US patent. Tucker built and operated a prototype of the engine which he tried, unsuccessfully, to sell to the automobile industry as a more efficient alternative to the conventional internal combustion engine.
In 2010, Zed Fest Film Festival named a top award after Phil Tucker. The Phil Tucker Spirit Award is given out to encourage and support independent filmmakers that work in the horror, suspense, science fiction, drama, action, adventure, and art house genres. The event is held annually every November in North Hollywood Arts District.
^ ab"MOVIE DIRECTOR'S DEATH TRY BALKED: Letter Sent to Newspaper Results in His Being Found Unconscious in Room at Hotel". Los Angeles Times. December 16, 1953. p. 18.
phil, tucker, 1927, november, 1985, american, film, director, producer, writer, editor, while, tucker, directed, first, feature, films, span, years, while, still, best, known, first, film, science, fiction, movie, robot, monster, often, considered, example, go. Phil Tucker May 22 1927 November 30 1985 was an American film director producer writer and editor While Tucker directed his first six feature films in the span of two years while still in his mid 20s he is best known for his first film the science fiction B movie Robot Monster often considered an example of so bad it s good film making in the Ed Wood vein and for the Lenny Bruce movie Dance Hall Racket featuring Bruce s wife Honey Harlow In 1952 he was reportedly offered 300 000 to make a sympathetic biopic about Lucky Luciano 1 In December 1953 he attempted suicide in response to the poor reception of Robot Monster and his subsequent inability to find work 1 According to Keep Watching The Skies by Bill Warren his attempted suicide was actually fueled by depression and a dispute with the film s distributor who had allegedly refused to pay Tucker his contracted percentage of the film s profits There are further claims that after 1955 Tucker was blacklisted within the film industry though he did go on to direct a number of other productions including 1960 s The Cape Canaveral Monsters By the 1970s Tucker had established himself as a formidable film editor finally escaping the stigma of his early directorial work He contributed to such well known films as Orca and the 1976 remake of King Kong and remained in post production throughout the rest of his career In addition to his love of film Tucker had an avid interest in all things mechanical He invented a rotary engine known as the CT Surge Turbine CT stood for Carnot Tucker for which he was granted a US patent Tucker built and operated a prototype of the engine which he tried unsuccessfully to sell to the automobile industry as a more efficient alternative to the conventional internal combustion engine In 2010 Zed Fest Film Festival named a top award after Phil Tucker The Phil Tucker Spirit Award is given out to encourage and support independent filmmakers that work in the horror suspense science fiction drama action adventure and art house genres The event is held annually every November in North Hollywood Arts District Filmography EditYear Film Director Producer Writer Editor1953 Robot Monster N NDance Hall Racket N1954 Tia Juana After Midnite NDream Follies NBaghdad After Midnight N1955 Broadway Jungle N N N1960 The Cape Canaveral Monsters N NKiss Me Baby N1976 Death Riders N1980 The Nude Bomb N1985 Out of Control NReferences Edit a b MOVIE DIRECTOR S DEATH TRY BALKED Letter Sent to Newspaper Results in His Being Found Unconscious in Room at Hotel Los Angeles Times December 16 1953 p 18 External links EditPhil Tucker at IMDb This article about a United States film director born in the 1920s is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Phil Tucker amp oldid 1132477818, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
