Vantage Point Interviews Goes Hollywood!

Photo courtesy of Tom DeSimone.

Well, sort of. I noticed that my website Vantage Point Interviews was getting some traffic from The Hollywood Reporter, and it didn't take long for me to figure out that their obituary for the late Tom DeSimone links to and quotes from my interview with him. 

I believe it's the first time The Hollywood Reporter has quoted my work, and it's always rewarding seeing my work turn up in mainstream publications. It's just too bad it had to be for an obituary for a person I interviewed.

Cult Film Director Tom DeSimone Passes Away at 87

According to producer Tony Randel, Tom DeSimone, a director who helmed such notable cult classics as Chatterbox (1977), Hell Night (1981), The Concrete Jungle (1982), and Reform School Girls (1986), passed away on October 17. He was 87. (The tribute Tony Randel posted on social media lists Tom DeSimone's date of birth as July 1, 1939.)

While I never met Tom DeSimone in the flesh, I did interview him a few years ago regarding his work on Terror in the Jungle (1968), a pretty bad adventure flick but one with a fascinating production history. Terror in the Jungle came to my attention via its release on a Mill Creek 50-movie DVD set (namely "Pure Terror"), and, when I contacted Mr. DeSimone about sharing his memories of the shoot, he was happy to answer my questions.

Although we were connected via social media, we didn't correspond very much after the interview, and I never pursued meeting him in person when I was living in California. Naturally, I regret that now, but I'm grateful that I was able to interview him and record his memories of his first film (as dubious an experience as it was.)

Rest in peace, Tom.

Vantage Point Interviews Explores One of the Worst Movies Ever!

Photo courtesy of Tom DeSimone. 

It's not tokusatsu, but, if you like old, whacked-out cult movies, you might find this one interesting. Director Tom DeSimone discusses making arguably one of the worst movies ever, Terror in the Jungle (1968), on Vantage Point Interviews. At least he talks about making the first 30 minutes of the flick, as he quit the production due to constant disagreements with the producer. It's all fascinating stuff; give it a read!