Russ Meyer, who helped spawn the “skin flick” with such films as Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! and Vixen, has died. He was 82.
Meyer died Saturday at his home in the Hollywood Hills, according to his company, RM Films International Inc. Spokeswoman Janice Cowart said Meyer had suffered from dementia and died of complications of pneumonia.
Meyer’s films were considered pornographic in their time but are less shocking by today’s standards, with their focus on violence and large-busted women but little graphic sex.
Altogether he produced, directed, financed, wrote, edited and shot at least 23 films, including his debut, The Immoral Mr. Teas, in 1959 and the 1968 film Vixen, whose success earned him notice from major studios.
He went on to direct the major studio release Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, which was co-written by film critic Roger Ebert.
Source: CNN
