Motion Picture Director, Producer, Screenwriter. He turned out a series of independently produced, commercially successful B films in the 1970s. His best known release is "Grizzly" (1976), a "Jaws" knock-off that became a mainstream box office hit. A movie buff from childhood, Girdler served in the US Air Force after high school and then founded Studio One Productions in his hometown of Louisville. He started out by making TV commercials but soon found several local businessmen to back him in the production of features. In addition to directing and writing, he provided the music for three of his films. His other credits include "Three on a Meathook" (1972), "The Zebra Killer" (1974), "Abby" (1974), "Asylum of Satan" (1975), "Sheba, Baby" (1975), "Project: Kill" (1976), "Day of the Animals" (1977), and "The Manitou" (1978). He was scouting locations for his next film, "The Overlords", when the helicopter in which he was riding hit powerlines and crashed. He was 30 years old.
Motion Picture Director, Producer, Screenwriter. He turned out a series of independently produced, commercially successful B films in the 1970s. His best known release is "Grizzly" (1976), a "Jaws" knock-off that became a mainstream box office hit. A movie buff from childhood, Girdler served in the US Air Force after high school and then founded Studio One Productions in his hometown of Louisville. He started out by making TV commercials but soon found several local businessmen to back him in the production of features. In addition to directing and writing, he provided the music for three of his films. His other credits include "Three on a Meathook" (1972), "The Zebra Killer" (1974), "Abby" (1974), "Asylum of Satan" (1975), "Sheba, Baby" (1975), "Project: Kill" (1976), "Day of the Animals" (1977), and "The Manitou" (1978). He was scouting locations for his next film, "The Overlords", when the helicopter in which he was riding hit powerlines and crashed. He was 30 years old.
Bio by: Dale Brown
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