A young Harrington in the 1950s.
Gene Curtis Harrington (September 17, 1926 – May 6, 2007) was an American writer and director who worked in film and television. Viewed as one of the forerunners of New Queer Cinema, his body of work includes experimental films, science fiction and horror films and episodic television. He is probably best known for his cult horror classic, Night Tide.
Theatrical Filmography as a Director:
- Night Tide (1961)
- Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet (1965)
- Queen of Blood (1966)
- Games (1967)
- Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? (1972)
- What's the Matter with Helen? (1971)
- The Killing Kind (1973)
- Ruby (1977)
- Mata Hari (1985)
Writing Credits:
- Night Tide (1961) - Screenplay/short story
- Voyage to the Prehistoric Planet (1965) – as John Sebastian
- Queen of Blood (1966)
- Games (1967) – Story
- Nice Guys Don't Work in Hollywood (2013) – Autobiography
Short Filmography:
- House of Usher (1942)
- Fragment of Seeking (1946)
- Picnic (1949)
- On the Edge (1949)
- The Assignation (1953)
- The Wormword Star (1956)
- Usher (2000)
TV Movie Filmography :
- Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell (1978)
- The Dead Don't Die (1975)
- Killer Bees (1974)
- The Cat Creature (1973)
Harrington's body of work contains examples of the following:
- Nothing Is Scarier: His works typically employed this.When it comes to fear, I usually go by instinct. I know what will affect me, but I don't have a formula. I avoid the cheap effect—adding a loud noise to the soundtrack that startles the audience, for example. I still think the Val Lewton approach is the best one, and that is the power of suggestion. What you don't see is more unsettling than what you do see.
- Sex Is Evil, and I Am Horny: Many characters in works written or directed by Harrington appear to struggle with their sexuality and/or sexual desires.
