A Legacy of Drive-In Cinema and Low-Budget Innovation
Samuel M. Sherman, a visionary writer, producer, and marketing expert, played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of low-budget cinema during the 1960s and 1970s. Known for his collaboration with director Al Adamson, Sherman helped bring to life films such as Satan's Sadists, Brain of Blood, and The Naughty Stewardesses. He passed away at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence independent filmmakers and movie enthusiasts.
Sherman’s death was confirmed by David Sehring, his creative director, business affairs, and sales agent since 2015. He passed away at his home in Freehold, New Jersey. His work with Adamson led to the creation of Independent-International Pictures, a production and distribution company that supplied drive-ins with a variety of genre films.
Expanding the Horizons of Drive-In Movies
The partnership between Sherman and Adamson proved to be highly successful, especially in the realm of horror and exploitation films. Their first major release, Satan's Sadists (1969), was followed by other notable titles such as Horror of the Blood Monsters (1970), Brain of Blood (1971), and Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1971), which featured Lon Chaney Jr. The duo also explored various genres, including biker films, Westerns, sexploitation, martial arts, chase pictures, and blaxploitation.
Some of their other works included Hell's Bloody Devils (1970), Angels' Wild Women (1971), Five Bloody Graves (1969), Lash of Lust (1972), The Naughty Stewardesses (1973), Dynamite Brothers (1974), I Spit on Your Corpse (1974), and Black Heat (1976). These films often relied on rebranding and reselling existing footage to capitalize on popular trends.
A Unique Approach to Filmmaking
David Gregory, co-founder of Severin Films and director of the 2019 documentary Blood and Flesh: The Reel Life and Ghastly Death of Al Adamson, highlighted Sherman and Adamson's talent for retitling and reselling the same movies repeatedly. This strategy allowed them to maximize profits while maintaining a consistent output of content.
In an interview for the 1996 book It Came from Horrorwood, Sherman revealed that most of his films were produced on budgets under $150,000. Despite their limited resources, his company provided opportunities for veteran actors like John Carradine and Lon Chaney Jr., who found steady work in the industry.
Early Career and Influences
Born in New York on April 23, 1940, Sherman attended City College of New York, where he developed a passion for film. He screened classic serials like Flash Gordon and The Mask of Fu Manchu for his peers. For a class project, he created a short film titled The Weird Stranger in a single day.
While still in college, Sherman worked as a film editor and writer/editor for James Warren, the publisher of magazines such as Famous Monsters, Wildest Westerns, and Screen Thrills Illustrated. He is credited with reviving interest in old Republic Pictures serials, which eventually influenced the 1960s Batman TV show.
A Meeting That Changed Everything
In 1962, while working for Screen Thrills Illustrated, Sherman visited Hollywood and met Al Adamson, introduced by Adamson’s father, Victor Adamson, a silent film star-producer known as Denver Dixon. Two years later, Sherman partnered with the elder Adamson to bring The Scarlet Letter (1934) back to theaters.
Later, while working for Hemisphere Pictures, Sherman tried to secure distribution for Adamson’s first film, Echo of Terror. Although it failed to make it to theaters, the footage was later used in Blood of Ghastly Horror (1967), also known as Psycho A-Go-Go and The Man With the Synthetic Brain.
Building a Company and a Legacy
Realizing the need for their own distribution company, Sherman and Adamson joined forces with former theater owner Dan Kennis in 1968 to launch Independent-International Pictures. Their first production, Satan's Sadists, was shot in California in 1968.
Sherman believed that even with a small budget, a film could stand out through unique and bizarre elements. He often modified existing footage and gave it catchy, attention-grabbing titles. This approach proved effective, and his marketing campaigns were known for their dynamic and often lurid style.
A Lasting Impact on the Industry
Although Sherman and Adamson never received Academy Awards, they contributed to the careers of several notable figures, including cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond, who worked on Satan's Sadists, Five Bloody Graves, and Horror of the Blood Monsters.
Sehring, who helped Sherman’s films find new homes on Blu-ray, described him as “the ‘Broadway Danny Rose’ of the drive-in business.” Sherman’s memoir, When Dracula Met Frankenstein: My Years Making Drive-In Movies With Al Adamson, was published in 2021, offering insight into his career and collaborations.
Personal Life and Final Years
Sherman’s life was marked by personal loss. In 1995, Al Adamson was murdered by his live-in contractor. Sherman survived his wife, Linda, who passed away in November 2022 after 52 years of marriage. He is survived by his daughter, Stephanie.
His contributions to independent filmmaking continue to inspire new generations of creators, proving that even the smallest budgets can lead to big impacts.
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