This is definitely an end of an era, with the news of the passing of Sam Sherman. He was mainly known as a producer, one half of Independent International, working with Al Adamson, but his contributions to the horror genre is just massive. From his work with Jim Warren and Famous Monsters of Filmland, to working with Hemisphere Pictures, especially in their promotion department, then moving on to work with Adamson. While he was a very multi-talented man, it is his work in PR is what I loved about him. He knew how to sell a film and came up with some of the most beautiful and crazy advertising. Of course, Sherman was the man responsible for bringing Paul Naschy to the states, picking up the rights and releasing Naschy’s first picture, Mark of the Wolfman, though changing it to Frankenstein’s Bloody Terror, yet again with some really great ad campaign for it! Sure, there’s no Dr. Frankenstein or Frankenstein creature in the film, but we do get a WOLF-STEIN!!!
Mr. Sherman knew film. He knew the industry. But he also was a huge fan of movies. His knowledge of anything and everything to do with film would take multiple volumes to fill. He will definitely be missed. But thankfully, Sherman recorded a bunch of different audio commentaries for many of the films he was involved with, filling us fans with stories upon stories of things were done back then.
Our thoughts go out to his friends and family during this difficult time. Gone, but definitely will be remembered very fondly by this film fan.
