Cult Movie Directors Trivia Quiz

Answer: Lust in the Dust (1985)

John Waters, born in 1946, is an American filmmaker, writer, actor and artist. He rose to fame in the early 1970s with transgressive cult films such as "Multiple Maniacs" (1970), "Pink Flamingos" (1972) and "Female Trouble" (1974). In 1988, he directed the successful comedy film "Hairspray", which was later adapted into a hit Broadway musical. Waters' films transitioned to mainstream appeal with works such as "Cry-Baby" (1990). Waters was named an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters in France in 2018 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2023. Other notable works of his include:

"Serial Mom", a black comedy film starring Kathleen Turner as the title character, Beverly Sutphin, a seemingly perfect suburban housewife with a secret life as a serial killer.

"Eat Your Makeup", a short film about the antics of a criminal duo who kidnap models and force them to model themselves to death in front of their friends.

"Desperate Living", a black comedy that follows the escapades of Peggy Gravel (Mink Stole) and Grizelda Brown (Jean Hill) after Peggy accidentally kills her husband.

"Lust in the Dust", however, is not part of Waters' filmography. This western comedy, starring Tab Hunter, Divine, Cesar Romero and Lainie Kazan, was directed by Paul Bartel. John Waters was originally considered to direct, but declined because he did not write the screenplay.

Answer: The Violent Years (1956)

Ed Wood (1924-1978) was an American filmmaker, actor and pulp novelist. In the 1950s, Wood directed low-budget cult classics such as "Glen or Glenda" about transvestism and gender identity in which Wood himself played the title role, "Jail Bait", about the plight of a young man who becomes involved in criminal activities, and "Bride of the Monster" (1955).

In 1957 he directed the infamous "Plan 9 from Outer Space", a science fiction film about aliens trying to stop humanity from creating a doomsday weapon - often described as one of the "worst films ever made".

Known for campy aesthetics, technical errors and eccentric casting, Wood was posthumously "honoured" with a Golden Turkey Award for Worst Director. Tim Burton's biopic "Ed Wood" (1994), starring Johnny Depp, won critical acclaim and an Oscar.

"The Violent Years" is an American exploitation film directed by William Morgan and starring Jean Moorhead as Paula Parkins, the leader of a gang of delinquent high school girls. The screenplay, written uncredited by Ed Wood, contributed to the film's financial success. Despite criticism of wooden acting and a tawdry, preachy tone, it became a household name in independent cinema.

Answer: The Hideous Sun Demon (1958)

Roger Corman, born in 1926, is an American filmmaker, producer and director who earned the nicknames "Pope of Pop Cinema" and "King of the B-Movie" for his prolific output of low-budget films. His career spanned decades and covered a wide range of genres, including much acclaimed film adaptations of E. A. Poe's work.

In 1960 he directed "The Little Shop of Horrors", a dark comedy about a florist who discovers a bloodthirsty plant with a taste for human flesh. The film launched the career of Jack Nicholson. In 1962, "The Intruder", starring a young William Shatner, tackled the sensitive issue of racial integration in the American South. "The Trip" is a psychedelic drama about a man who takes hallucinogenic drugs, resulting in a surreal journey through altered states of consciousness.

An occasional actor, Corman also played supporting roles in films such as "The Silence of the Lambs" and "The Godfather Part II".

"The Hideous Sun Demon" is a science fiction horror film directed by Robert Clarke and Tom Boutross. This B-movie classic revolves around a scientist who, after a radioactive accident, is transformed into a reptilian creature that can only survive in the dark.

Answer: The Young Nurses (1973)

Stephanie Rothman, born in 1936, is an American filmmaker best known for her contributions to exploitation cinema in the 1960s and 1970s. One of the few female directors in the genre during this period, Rothman made a name for herself with her bold and unapologetic storytelling.

Her first film was "It's a Bikini World", about Californian beach culture in the 1960s. Later works include "Student Nurses", a film about four nursing students navigating their personal and professional challenges. The film explores themes of relationships, societal expectations and the evolving role of women. Despite its exploitation genre, it also tackles some contemporary issues such as abortion and immigration.

"Terminal Island" is a science fiction action film set in a dystopian future where convicted criminals are sent to Terminal Island to fend for themselves. Rothman explores themes of survival, morality and the consequences of social choices. The film features an early screen appearance by Tom Selleck.

"The Young Nurses" is a 1973 exploitation film directed by Clint Kimbrough. The film follows a group of young nurses who become involved in a dangerous world of drugs and crime and became a cult classic within the 1970s exploitation cinema.

Answer: Wild in the Streets (1968)

Richard Rush (1929-2021) was an American filmmaker known for his diverse contributions to cinema. From acclaimed dramas like "The Stunt Man" (1980), to genre-bending works like "Psych-Out" (1968), Rush's career was full of innovation. His ability to combine different genres with a unique touch earned him recognition in the industry.

Some of his most notable films include "Hells Angels on Wheels" with Jack Nicholson playing a gas station attendant who becomes involved with a gang of Hell's Angels. "Getting Straight", starring Candice Bergen and Harrison Ford, was about a Vietnam War veteran who returns to college and becomes involved in student activism and "Freebie and the Bean", which follows two San Francisco police detectives, played by James Caan and Alan Arkin, as they pursue a dangerous mobster.

"Wild in the Streets" is a 1968 satire film directed by Barry Shear. The film explores the rise of a young rock star turned political figure, who campaigns to lower the voting age to 14. It remains a notable entry in the counterculture film movement of the late 1960s.

Answer: Hollywood Boulevard (1976)

Paul Bartel (1938-2000) was an American director, actor and writer best known for his contributions to the cult film genre. With a penchant for dark humour and satire, Bartel's works often explored unconventional themes and social norms. His filmography includes the cult classic "Eating Raoul" and collaborations with other cult figures in the industry.

Some of his major films include "Private Parts" about a young woman who, after being assaulted, decides to take revenge on her attackers, "Cannonball", an action-comedy film around an illegal cross-country car race, and "Not for Publication" about a tabloid journalist who becomes embroiled in a plot involving espionage and political intrigue. The film satirises the media industry and explores themes of sensationalism and ethics in journalism.

Paul Bartel played a director in the 1976 comedy film "Hollywood Boulevard", but the film was directed by Allan Arkush and Joe Dante. It is a humorous take on the exploitation film industry, following a group of aspiring actresses as they navigate the challenges of Hollywood. Shot in ten days, the film used leftover footage from other films and parodied New World "three girls" films such as "Summer School Teachers".

Answer: Motorpsycho (1965)

Herschell Gordon Lewis (1926-2016), known as the "Godfather of Gore" was a pioneering American filmmaker. He gained fame for creating the splatter subgenre of horror films, including the first gore film, "Blood Feast" (1963). The film follows an Egyptian caterer in Miami who commits gruesome murders to resurrect an ancient goddess. The film is notorious for its explicit gore and is credited for its impact on the horror genre.

Lewis worked across various exploitation genres, producing low-budget films for profit. Lewis' influence on horror cinema is evident in cult classics such as "Two Thousand Maniacs!" about a US Southern town seeking revenge on Northern tourists during a centennial celebration and "The Wizard of Gore", which centres around a magician whose stage illusions seem to involve real, brutal violence. After leaving filmmaking in the early 1970s, he became a successful advertising copywriter and author.

"Motorpsycho" is a Russ Meyer film about a male motorcycle gang. Notably, the film contains one of the earliest portrayals of a disturbed Vietnam veteran character in cinema. The success of the film inspired Meyer to write "Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill!" (1965), featuring female bikers, which marked his commercial breakthrough in the exploitation genre.

Answer: McVicar (1980)

Ken Russell (1927-2011) was a British film director known for his flamboyant style and groundbreaking work in TV and film. He often adapted existing texts or biographies, focusing particularly on composers of the Romantic era. Notable films include the Oscar-winning "Women in Love" (1969), "The Devils" (1971), "Tommy" (1975) and "Altered States", a science fiction horror film, starring William Hurt, about the effects of sensory deprivation and hallucinogenic drugs on the human mind.

"Lisztomania", a musical fantasy film starring Roger Daltrey as Franz Liszt, takes a fantastical and exaggerated look at the life of the famous composer and pianist. "Salome's Last Dance" is an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's play, presenting a fictional scenario in which Wilde watches his own play, "Salome", in a brothel.

"McVicar" is a crime drama film directed by Tom Clegg. It tells the true story of John McVicar, a British bank robber, and his experiences in prison. The film stars Roger Daltrey of The Who and is notable for its portrayal of McVicar's life and the British penal system.

Answer: Play it Again, Sam (1972)

Woody Allen, born Allan Stewart Konigsberg in 1935, is an American filmmaker, actor, writer and comedian. His distinctive style often explores neurotic characters and complicated relationships. Allen and his films have received numerous awards, including Academy Awards.

Some of his lesser known films include "Another Woman", about a philosophy professor (Gena Rowlands), who eavesdrops on a stranger's therapy lessons and begins to reevaluate her own life, "Alice" about Alice Tate (Mia Farrow), a wealthy New Yorker who begins to question her life choices and priorities, and "Take the Money and Run", a mockumentary comedy film that follows the misadventures of a bumbling and inept criminal, played by Allen, as he tries to navigate a life of crime.

"Play It Again, Sam" is a romantic comedy directed by Herbert Ross. It stars Woody Allen as a film critic who seeks dating advice from the ghost of Humphrey Bogart, played by Jerry Lacy. The film humorously explores the protagonist's attempts to navigate the complexities of love and relationships.

Answer: Andy Warhol's Bad (1971)

Paul Morrissey, born in 1938, is an American film director known for his association with Andy Warhol. Despite political conservatism and anti-immorality protests, Morrissey's avant-garde filmmaking, influenced by Warhol and The Factory, marked a bold direction in cinema. He used 16mm news cameras for portability and improvisation, challenging traditional filmmaking methods.

Notably, he directed "Trash", a film that explores the lives of heroin addicts in New York City and stars Joe Dallesandro and Holly Woodlawn in prominent roles, and "Women in Revolt" about three women who decide to revolt against traditional gender roles. The cast includes transgender actresses Candy Darling, Holly Woodlawn, and Jackie Curtis.

"Beethoven's Nephew" is a drama film that explores the life of Karl van Beethoven, the nephew of the famous composer, Ludwig van Beethoven, and the complexities of Karl's relationship with his uncle and the challenges he faces.

"Andy Warhol's Bad" is a black comedy film directed by Jed Johnson and produced by Andy Warhol. The film portrays the life of a sociopathic housewife who operates a "business" helping people commit suicide. Susan Tyrrell won the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress. "Bad" was Warhol's last production before his death in 1987.