Jack Harris, who produced ‘50s horror movie ‘The Blob’, dies at 98
He was not on the list.
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.
Born in Philadelphia and a vaudeville performer from a young age, Harris was a decorated WWII veteran before getting into the movie business. He worked in marketing, publicity, distribution and production across 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.
While the critical reception was lukewarm upon the film’s release, “The Blob’ remains a cult favorite today. There’s even a Blobfest held in Phoenixville, Pa., at the town’s Colonial Theater — a prominent location in the film. The festival kicks off its 18th event in July.
Harris followed with other ’50s-era horror flicks like 4-D Man and Dinosaurus.
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 one film, “Unkissed Bride,” from 1966, 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.
“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; his son, Anthony Harris; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Filmography
He was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.
Film
Year Film Credit Notes
1958 The Blob
1959 4D Man
1960 Dinosaurus!
1965 Master of
Horror Executive producer
1966 The Unkissed
Bride
1970 Equinox
1972 Beware!
The Blob Executive producer
1973 Schlock
1974 Dark Star Executive producer
1978 Eyes of Laura
Mars Executive producer
1986 Prison Ship
1988 The Blob
1991 Blobermouth Final
film as a producer
Miscellaneous crew
Year Film Role Notes
1968 Without a
Stitch Presenter
1973 Just Be There 1975 version
1974 Dark Star
1976 Ape
As an actor
Year Film Role Notes
1958 The Blob Man Running Out of Theater Uncredited
1959 4D Man Man in Nightclub
1960 Dinosaurus! Tourist on Boat
1970 Equinox Detective Harrison
1972 Beware!
The Blob Man Running Across Ice
1973 Schlock Man Reading Horror Comic
1978 Eyes of Laura
Mars Man in Gallery
1986 Prison Ship Intercom Announcer Voice role
As writer
Year Film
1959 4D Man
1960 Dinosaurus!
1966 The Unkissed
Bride
1972 Beware!
The Blob
As director
Year Film
1966 The Unkissed
Bride
Thanks
Year Film Role
2009 Alien Trespass Acknowledgment: The Blob footage
courtesy of
Television
Year Title
1960 Masterworks
of Terror
Miscellaneous crew
Year Title Role Notes
1959 Masterworks
of Terror Producer US version
1961 The Twilight
Zone Dinosaur sequence
1966 It's About Time Special film material
1974 The Horror Hall of Fame Provider: Filmclips Documentary
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