Even if hed never directed his 6 Living Dead films, George Andrew Romero would be remembered for The Crazies (1973), Martin (1977), Knightriders (1981) and Creepshow (1982), though his most horrifying film is Juice On The Loose, a 1974 documentary about OJ Simpson. But its Night Of The Living Dead (1968) that made Romeros name, birthed the flesh-eating zombie genre and helped bring horror into the modern day, complete with a then unheard of downbeat ending. Every zombie film, book, video game or TV series you see today is an nth generation copy of his contribution to the genre. Along the way, he helped launch the careers of Tom Savini (who made his acting debut in Martin, and also provided the effects), John Russo (who co-wrote NOTLD, and later directed 1981s Midnight) and a jobbing actor named Ed Harris, who he cast in Knightriders and Creepshow. Now wheres his honorary Oscar?
Ian Watson is the author of 'Midnight Movie Madness', a 600+ page guide to "bad" movies from 'Reefer Madness' to 'Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead.'
