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Herschell Gordon Lewis

Herschell Gordon Lewis

Director, actor, producer, writer, cinematographer and composer · Died September 26, 2016, aged 90 · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Herschell Gordon Lewis (June 15, 1926 – September 26, 2016) was an American filmmaker, best known for creating the 'splatter' subgenre of horror films. He is often called the 'Godfather of Gore' (a title also given to Lucio Fulci), though his film career included works in a range of exploitation film genres including juvenile delinquent films, nudie-cuties, two children's films, and at least one rural comedy.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 15, 1926
Died
September 26, 2016 (aged 90)
From
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Works as
Director, actor, producer, writer, cinematographer and composer
Titles
10 on MovieCove · 56 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 22% in 30 days

What are Herschell Gordon Lewis' films like?

Across their 11 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

Genres

Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 17th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 75th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 19th percentile
: browse their Horror movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
32%
Survival
26%
Self
15%
Ideas
12%
Society
8%
Power
5%
Bonds
3%
Violence5 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 3 · Wry 1 · Earnest 7

Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 6 · Serious 0 · Dark 5

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 6 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 6 · Intense 3

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 5 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 2

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

A split, not a type: Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 8 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 9 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 1

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Absurd
7
Dread
4
Warm
3
Thrilling
3
Other
7

How their films linger

Unsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet1
  • Ambiguous8

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Herschell Gordon Lewis' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 9 of their 10 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Herschell Gordon Lewis' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

56 credits, 10 with a MovieCove page; 16 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Virgin Cheerleaders in Chains(2018)

    In Memory Of

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Herschell Gordon Lewis' BloodMania(2017)

    Director · Screenplay · as The Host

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Blood Feast(2016)

    as Professor Lou Herschell

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Tonight You Die (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • The Chainsaw Sally Show - Season One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Executive Producer

  • Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • 2001 Maniacs: Field of Screams(2010)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Uh-oh Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Director · Writer · as Uncle Herschell (uncredited)

  • 7 Deadly Sins: Inside The Ecomm Cult (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Actor

  • Smash Cut (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Fred Sandy / Radio Announcer

  • Psycho Holocaust (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Radio News Broadcaster (voice)

  • Book of Lore (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Bingo Record (voice)

  • The Wizard of Gore(2007)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Chainsaw Sally(2004)

    as Mr. Gordon

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Blood Feast 2: All U Can Eat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director

  • Crystalstone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Antique Dealer

  • Wanted: The Sundance Woman(1976)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Bridger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Sound Editor · Writer

  • The Gore Gore Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Director · Composer · Makeup Effects · Producer

  • Black Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director · Cinematographer · Producer

  • This Stuff'll Kill Ya! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director · Composer · Producer · Writer

  • The Year of the Yahoo! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Director · Composer · Producer

  • The Wizard of Gore (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Director · Producer · Special Effects

  • Miss Nymphet's Zap-In (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Director · Producer · Writer

  • The Great Chicago Conspiracy Circus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Writer

  • Linda and Abilene (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • The Ecstasies of Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

  • How to Make a Doll (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay · Sound Effects · as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

  • Just for the Hell of It (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Director · Producer

  • The Psychic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Cinematographer · Writer

  • The Alley Tramp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Director · Producer · as Radio Reporter Gene Stallion (voice)

  • Suburban Roulette (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Director · Additional Dialogue · Composer · Producer

  • She-Devils on Wheels(1968)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Blast-Off Girls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Producer · Writer

  • The Girl, the Body, and the Pill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Producer

  • The Gruesome Twosome (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Producer · as Radio Announcer (voice) (uncredited)

  • A Taste of Blood (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Producer · as The Limey Seaman / Baron Khron (voice) (as Seymour Sheldon)

  • Something Weird (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Cinematographer · as Narrator (voice) (as Sheldon Seymour)

  • Magic Land of Mother Goose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • A Hot Night at the Go-Go Lounge! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Director

  • Jimmy, the Boy Wonder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Director · as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

  • Color Me Blood Red (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

  • Monster a Go-Go! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Director · Additional Dialogue · Producer · Production Design

  • Moonshine Mountain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Director · Cinematographer · Composer · Producer

  • Two Thousand Maniacs!(1964)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Scum of the Earth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer · as Narrator (voice)

  • Bell, Bare and Beautiful (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • Goldilocks and the Three Bares (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Director · Cinematographer · as Voice Introducing Sonny Seymour (voice)

  • Blood Feast(1963)

    Director · Cinematographer · Composer · Producer · Special Effects · Story · as Radio Announcer (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Boin-n-g (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Director · Cinematographer · Composer · Screenplay

  • Nature's Playmates (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Director · Cinematographer

  • Daughter of the Sun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Director · Cinematographer · Writer

  • The Adventures of Lucky Pierre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Director · Cinematographer · Composer · Writer

  • Living Venus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Director · Producer · Screenplay · as Man on Street (uncredited)

  • The Prime Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Additional Dialogue · Producer

  • Carving Magic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Director

Career shape

A full career of 54 titles from 1959 to 2018.

Biggest box office

Blood Feast (2016)

$8.7K worldwide

Highest rated

American Grindhouse (2010)

Midcredits 81st

Most popular right now

Chainsaw Sally (2004)

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting21 of 54: 9 only acting, 12 with another roleDirecting38 of 54: 3 only directing, 35 with another roleWriting19 of 54: 2 only writing, 17 with another roleProducing21 of 54: 1 only producing, 20 with another roleMusic8 of 54: 0 only music, 8 with another roleCinematography17 of 54: 0 only cinematography, 17 with another roleOther crew9 of 54: 1 only other crew, 8 with another role

54 titles, 38 with more than one role — directing and acting overlap on 12 of them.

By decade

1950s1 · crew1960s30 · 10 acting · 30 crew1970s9 · crew1980s1 · acting2000s7 · 6 acting · 2 crew2010s6 · 4 acting · 3 crew

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 6 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Herschell Gordon Lewis' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 17th percentile, the median of all 10; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 18th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

18thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

26thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 10 titles, by percentile

  • 25th to 49th2
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

8 of their 10 titles are Mixed.

  • Divisive2
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · actor

Chainsaw Sally (2004)

94th percentile spread · 52% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director, writer, cinematographer

Two Thousand Maniacs! (1964)

Midcredits 37th · 39% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 45/100 and the pacing 39/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Herschell Gordon Lewis' work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 91 · severeMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 46 · moderateMedian of all films: 32
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 74 · intenseMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Herschell Gordon Lewis work with?

People who share at least 2 of Herschell Gordon Lewis' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; David F. Friedman shares the most, 4.

Writers

Actors

Editors

Producers