Roger Watkins

Roger Michael Watkins (September 17, 1948 – March 6, 2007) was an American filmmaker best known for the 1970s grindhouse movie Last House on Dead End Street.[1] He also directed several adult films, working with pornographic actors such as Jamie Gillis, Vanessa del Rio, and Samantha Fox.

Roger Michael Watkins
Watkins in the early 1970s
BornSeptember 17, 1948
Binghamton, New York, U.S.
DiedMarch 6, 2007(2007-03-06) (aged 58)
Apalachin, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other namesClaude Armand, Ray Hicks, Victor Janos, Richard Joseph, Norman F. Kaiser, Brian Laurence, Richard Mahler, Steven Morrison, Brian Newett, Bernard Travis, Bernie Travis
Alma materOneonta State College
OccupationFilm director
Years active1973-1988
Spouse
Marcia Elizabeth Elliott
​
​
(m. 1972; div. 1987)​
Children2

The Internet Movie Database lists a number of Watkins' aliases (see the information box at right), most of which seem to have been used in Last House on Dead End Street to conceal the fact that he worked in several capacities on that film (director, actor, writer, editor, and producer).

Biography

Watkins was born in Binghamton, New York. He graduated from Oneonta State College in 1971 with a Bachelor's degree in English Literature. While studying for his degree he visited England and served as an apprentice for film director Freddie Francis. On returning to the U.S. he continued his apprenticeship, working for Otto Preminger and Nicholas Ray.[2] He married Marcia Elliott in 1972, with whom he fathered two daughters.[3][4]

Watkins began his career in adult film by writing the screenplay for Mystique (1979) which was directed by Roberta Findlay and for which he was uncredited. The following year he began writing and directing adult feature films under the pseudonym Richard Mahler, which he took from combining the names of two of his favorite composers, Richard Wagner and Gustav Mahler. His best known adult films (Her Name Was Lisa (1979), Midnight Heat (1983), Corruption (1983), and American Babylon (1985) are considered by many to be more cult films or arthouse films than pornography due to their multi layered narratives that are downbeat in tone, containing elements of avant-garde, horror and satire.

Watkins died at his home in Apalachin, New York on March 6, 2007, aged 58.[5][4]

Partial filmography
Year Film Function Notes
Director Screenwriter Producer Actor Role
1976 The Doctors (TV series) Yes Doctor Slocombe Guest appearance
1977 Last House on Dead End Street Yes Yes Yes Yes Terry Hawkins Filmed in 1973 under the working titles At the Hour of Our Death [6] and The Cuckoo Clocks of Hell.[2] Also released as The Fun House.[7] Released originally in 1973 at Cannes Film Festival.
1979 Her Name Was Lisa Yes Yes
1979 The Pink Ladies Yes Yes
1979 Mystique Yes Uncredited
1980 Shadows of the Mind Yes Yes Uncredited as screenwriter
1981 Spittoon Yes Yes
1981 A Day in the Life of... The Cosmopolitan Girls Yes Yes Uncredited
1983 Corruption Yes Yes Yes
1983 Midnight Heat Yes Yes
1984 Driller: A Sexual Thriller Production manager
1986 Avenged Yes
1986 Scorpion Yes
1986 Spine Yes At Police Headquarters
1987 American Babylon Yes Yes
1988 Decadence Yes Yes

References
  1. Kerekes, David, ed. (2002). Headpress 23: Funhouse. Headpress. pp. 67–143. ISBN 9781900486187.
  2. Dalmas, John (April 18, 1973). "He knows audiences want violence". The Journal News. Rockland County, NY. p. 10A – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Couples recite vows". The Journal News. White Plains, New York. July 11, 1972. p. 9A – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Obituaries: Roger M. Watkins". Press & Sun-Bulletin. Binghamton, NY. March 8, 2007. p. 4C – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Dermody, Dennis (April 5, 2007). "R.I.P. Roger Watkins". PaperMag.com. Archived from the original on March 30, 2008.
  6. "Modest a Bit Too Late" (PDF). Syracuse Post Standard. October 17, 1975. p. 3 – via Fultonhistory.com.
  7. "Hartford Courant". May 6, 1977. p. 79 – via Newspapers.com.


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