RIP: Ray Dennis Steckler

Ray Dennis Steckler died on Jan. 7 at the age of 70 (almost 71). Active almost to the last, the famed cult film director had a few words to say in November at a tribute in Los Angeles to Academy Award-winning cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond. Steckler gave him his start, as well as dozens of others. Steckler, like all true cultists, stayed obscure and more or less free of great wealth.
(The photo to the left is from his MySpace page)

I enjoyed reading his interviews and articles published in Cult Movies magazine. He was funny, humble and unique. I loved the quote, "What they have I don't need," in describing former associates now well off who were afraid to return his friendly phone calls.

Steckler also had a sense of humor when dealing with the mockers, including the MST3K crowd who wittily mocked "Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies." He took it in stride, likely just happy to see his best-known film on TV. (One thing I love about ISCWSLABMUZ is that much of it was filmed at the old Pike amusement park in my hometown, Long Beach, Calif.) Steckler was a serious craftsman, who late in life took many of his features and condensed them into hour B&W features. Those efforts, including his series of shorts, "The Lemon Grove Kids ..." underscored his love of the old, forgotten C-film genre. Steckler loved the Bowery Boys, the old PRC and Monogram films and particularly, the hour-long cowboy films of that genre.

I wish I had met the man. His interviews in 'zines and in Sinister Cinema DVD extras reveal a talented actor and filmmaker with the certain uniqueness that leaves a legitimate cult legacy. He was also cool. Who can forget the words in "Wild Guitar," from Steckler's "Cash Flagg" character "Steak": "This is Daisy, she's gonna teach you how to swing." You have to see and hear it to do it justice. Steckler was a trooper too. He directed that film as well, indulged his cinema love by using Bowery Boys-type characters and survived broken teeth when a punch from star Arch Hall Jr. was too realistic.

I'm glad that Steckler's films "Wild Guitar," Incredibly Strange Creatures..." and "Rat Pfink a Boo Boo" made it on Turner Classic Movies the last couple years of his life. He deserved the recognition. It's time to get more Steckler on TCM Underground. My vote would be for "Body Fever," Steckler's film-noir classic in which he and ex-wife Carolyn Brandt are perfect in their roles as private eye and jailbait thief. Other candidates include "The Thrill Killers," "Blood Shack" and "The Hollywood Strangler Meets the Skid Row Slasher." The Independent Film Channel could also benefit with some Steckler films on its roster.

So, RIP Ray Dennis Steckler, I hope you have had plenty of time to catch up with Liz Renay, Titus Moede, Forrest J. Ackerman, Coleman Francis, Arch Hall Sr., John Andrews and other cult icons long gone from Earth who once crossed your path.

-- Doug Gibson