Filmmaker produced B-movie ‘The Blob,’ a cult favorite
JACK HARRIS, 1918 - 2017
Jack Harris, who cemented his place in Hollywood history by producing the 1958 horror film “The Blob,” has died. He was 98.
Harris died of natural causes Tuesday at his home in Beverly Hills surrounded by family, according to his daughter, Lynda Resnick.
Harris, who was born in Philadelphia on Nov. 28, 1918, and became a vaudeville performer at a young age, was a decorated World War II veteran before getting into the movie business. He worked in marketing, publicity, distribution and production during his long career.
His first film, the B-movie “The Blob,” which starred Steve McQueen in his first leading role, became an enormous hit, grossing more than $3 million on a $110,000 budget and spawning a sequel and a remake.
“The Blob,” a drive-in movie theater favorite in its day, told the story of a small town under assault from a corrosive amoeba that slithers off a meteorite and envelops residents in its jelly-like goo.
Although the critical reception was lukewarm when the film was released, “The Blob” remains a cult favorite today. There’s even a Blobfest held in Phoenixville, Pa., at the town’s Colonial Theatre — a prominent location in the film. The festival kicks off its 18th event in July.
Harris followed with other horror f licks, including “4-D Man” in 1959 and “Dinosaurus” in 1960.
Harris’ other producing credits include John Carpenter’s “Dark Star,” John Landis’ “Schlock” and the Irvin Kershner thriller “Eyes of Laura Mars,” starring Faye Dunaway and Tommy Lee Jones.
Harris also wrote and directed “Unkissed Bride,” a 1966 film about newlyweds who go to a psychiatrist to deal with the groom’s obsession with Mother Goose.
In 2014, Harris, at 95, became the oldest person to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Hollywood Historic Trust said Tuesday that the organization laid a memorial wreath on his star after his death.
“He was movie-star handsome, a brilliant and creative filmmaker, and a loving father and grandfather,” Resnick said.
He is survived by his wife, Judith Parker Harris; his daughter, Resnick; his son, Anthony Harris; nine grandchildren; and four greatgrandchildren.