Samuel M. Sherman obit

Samuel M. Sherman, Producer of ‘Satan’s Sadists,’ ‘The Naughty Stewardesses’ and Other Exploitation Films, Dies at 85

He and ill-fated director Al Adamson fed drive-ins with these kinds of movies — ‘Dracula vs. Frankenstein’ among them — starting in the late 1960s. 

He was not on the list.

Samuel M. Sherman, the writer, producer and marketing mastermind who partnered with director Al Adamson to squeeze success out of such low-budget films as Satan’s Sadists, Brain of Blood and The Naughty Stewardesses, has died. He was 85.

Sherman died Monday at his home in Freehold, New Jersey, David Sehring, his creative director, business affairs and sales agent since 2015, told The Hollywood Reporter.

Soon after Sherman and Adamson launched the production and distribution company Independent-International Pictures, they supplied drive-ins with such flicks as Satan’s Sadists (1969), Horror of the Blood Monsters (1970), Brain of Blood (1971) and Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1971), starring Lon Chaney Jr.

The pair worked not just in horror but in such other areas as biker films (1970’s Hell’s Bloody Devils, 1971’s Angels’ Wild Women), Westerns (1969’s Five Bloody Graves, 1972’s Lash of Lust), sexploitation (1973’s The Naughty Stewardesses), martial arts (1974’s Dynamite Brothers), chase pictures (1974’s I Spit on Your Corpse, also known as Girls for Rent) and blaxploitation (1976’s Black Heat).

Severin Films co-founder David Gregory, who directed the 2019 documentary Blood and Flesh: The Reel Life and Ghastly Death of Al Adamson, noted that Sherman and Adamson were great at “retitling and reselling the same movie over and over [and] at changing a work-in-progress picture to cash in on a recent trend.”

In the 1996 book It Came from Horrorwood, Sherman told author Tom Weaver that most of his films were made for less than $150,000. His company also gave veteran Hollywood actors much-needed work, among them Chaney and John Carradine.

He and Adamson “had a wonderful relationship — like the brother I never had — and we enjoyed being together and working together,” Sherman once said. “Al always said that when we were both together in the same place (New York or L.A.), we always made great things happen.”

Born in New York on April 23, 1940, Sherman attended City College of New York, where he screened Flash Gordon serials and such films as the Boris Karloff-starring The Mask of Fu Manchu (1932) for his fellow students. For a class project, he shot a short film in one day that he called The Weird Stranger.

While in college, Sherman worked as a film editor and as a writer/editor for James Warren, the publisher of such magazines as Famous Monsters, Wildest Westerns and Screen Thrills Illustrated, and said he came up with the idea of showing old Republic Pictures serials in theaters. Those wound up drawing huge audiences — and that, he claimed, led to the 1960s’ Batman show on ABC.

In 1962 on a work assignment for Screen Thrills Illustrated, Sherman visited Hollywood and first met Adamson, introduced to him by Adamson’s father, silent film star-producer Victor Adamson (known by his stage name as Denver Dixon). Two years later, he got into distribution with the elder Adamson to bring The Scarlet Letter (1934) back to theaters.

While working for Hemisphere Pictures in 1965, Sherman tried to secure distribution for Al Adamson’s first film, Echo of Terror. He couldn’t get it in theaters, but footage from that would be used for Blood of Ghastly Horror (1967), also known in various stages of production as Psycho A-Go-Go and The Man With the Synthetic Brain.

Sherman and Adamson realized they needed their own distribution company and in 1968 joined with former theater owner Dan Kennis to start Independent-International Pictures. Satan’s Sadists, about a ruthless motorcycle gang, was their first production, shot in California in 1968.

As was the case with Blood of Ghastly Horror, they often took films that Adamson had already shot, modified them and sold them. Sherman gave them catchy, easy-to-identify titles and marketed them with dynamic, often lurid campaigns.

“It was always my concept that if you have a very small budget, make the film different by very bizarre, crazy, looney elements — and this always worked,” he said.

As might be expected, Adamson and Sherman never won an Academy Award, but they did employ at least one future Oscar winner: cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond (Satan’s Sadists, Five Bloody Graves, Horror of the Blood Monsters).

“I grew up seeing his exploitation movies and wild and wacky trailer campaigns at my local drive-in the ’60s and ’70s,” said Sehring, a former American Movie Classics exec who helped Sherman’s films find new homes on Blu-ray and elsewhere. “Sam was quite a character — the ‘Broadway Danny Rose’ of the drive-in business.”

Along the way, Sherman amassed an impressive collection of 16mm and 35mm films and saw his memoirs, When Dracula Met Frankenstein: My Years Making Drive-In Movies With Al Adamson, published in 2021.

In 1995, Adamson, then 65, was murdered by his live-in contractor and found beneath his home in Indio, California.

Sherman’s survivors include his daughter, Stephanie. His wife of 52 years, Linda, died in November 2022.

Director

Bob Sacchetti and Scott Schwartz in Raiders of the Living Dead (1986)

Raiders of the Living Dead

2.6

Director

1986

 

Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1971)

Dracula vs. Frankenstein

3.5

Director (Dracula's Death Scene, uncredited)

1971

 

Creature with the Blue Hand (1967)

Creature with the Blue Hand

6.0

Director (new footage, uncredited)

1967

 

Charles Chaplin in Chaplin's Art of Comedy (1966)

Chaplin's Art of Comedy

6.8

Director

1966

 

Writer

Dracula Vs Frankenstein (2002)

Dracula Vs Frankenstein

3.7

Writer

2002

 

Bob Sacchetti and Scott Schwartz in Raiders of the Living Dead (1986)

Raiders of the Living Dead

2.6

screenplay bystory by

1986

 

John Carradine and Don 'Red' Barry in Doctor Dracula (1983)

Doctor Dracula

3.1

additional dialogue

1983

 

Team-Mates (1978)

Team-Mates

5.7

writer (uncredited)

1978

 

Nurse Sherri (1977)

Nurse Sherri

3.8

original story (uncredited)

1977

 

Yvonne De Carlo, Don 'Red' Barry, Regina Carrol, Connie Hoffman, Marilyn Joi, Geoffrey Land, Robert Livingston, Harry Ritz, and Jimmy Ritz in Blazing Stewardesses (1975)

Blazing Stewardesses

2.7

screenplaystory

1975

 

The Naughty Stewardesses (1973)

The Naughty Stewardesses

3.7

screenplay bystory by

1973

 

Lash of Lust (1972)

Lash of Lust

3.3

Writer

1972

 

Dracula vs. Frankenstein - Alternate Ending

Short

screenplaystory

1971

 

Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1971)

Dracula vs. Frankenstein

3.5

screenplaystory

1971

 

The Blood Drinkers (1964)

Brain of Blood

3.1

story

1971

 

Blood of Ghastly Horror (1967)

Blood of Ghastly Horror

2.9

story

1967

 

Creature with the Blue Hand (1967)

Creature with the Blue Hand

6.0

Writer (1987 footage, uncredited)

1967

 

Charles Chaplin in Chaplin's Art of Comedy (1966)

Chaplin's Art of Comedy

6.8

Writer

1966

 

Actor

Yvonne De Carlo, Don 'Red' Barry, Regina Carrol, Connie Hoffman, Marilyn Joi, Geoffrey Land, Robert Livingston, Harry Ritz, and Jimmy Ritz in Blazing Stewardesses (1975)

Blazing Stewardesses

2.7

Shooting Gunfighter in Blue Shirt (uncredited)

1975

 

Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1971)

Dracula vs. Frankenstein

3.5

Man in the Car Killed by the Monster (uncredited)

1971

 

Producer

Beyond This Earth (2020)

Beyond This Earth

executive producer

2020

 

The Happy Hobo - Presentation Reel

Short

associate producer (uncredited)

2020

 

Gabriella

Short

executive producer

2019

 

Wraith (2016)

Wraith

6.7

Short

executive producer

2016

 

Seregon O'Dassey, Samantha Hahn, Barrett Perlman, Gloria Chung, and Lisa Pincus in Bloody Slumber Party (2014)

Bloody Slumber Party

2.6

consulting producer

2014

 

Maniac (2013)

Maniac

7.3

Short

executive producer

2013

 

Pollination *

6.1

Short

executive producer

2012

 

Night Club (2011)

Night Club

5.8

producer

2011

 

From Other Worlds

executive producer

1994

 

Midnight (1982)

Midnight

4.9

executive producer

1982

 

Bedroom Stewardesses (1978)

Bedroom Stewardesses

producer (uncredited)

1978

 

Team-Mates (1978)

Team-Mates

5.7

producer

1978

 

Cinderella 2000 (1977)

Cinderella 2000

3.5

executive producer

1977

 

Nurse Sherri (1977)

Nurse Sherri

3.8

producer (as Mark Sherwood)

1977

 

Uncle Tom's Cabin (1977)

Uncle Tom's Cabin

5.3

producer (1976 footage, uncredited)

1977

 

Girls' Hotel - Alternate Intro (1977)

Girls' Hotel - Alternate Intro

Short

executive producer (uncredited)

1977

 

Per Oscarsson in Terror of Frankenstein (1977)

Terror of Frankenstein

5.8

executive producer

1977

 

Nurses for Sale (1976)

Nurses for Sale

4.4

producer consultant (1976 footage, uncredited)

1976

 

Black Heat (1976)

Black Heat

4.2

executive producer (uncredited)

1976

 

Yvonne De Carlo, Don 'Red' Barry, Regina Carrol, Connie Hoffman, Marilyn Joi, Geoffrey Land, Robert Livingston, Harry Ritz, and Jimmy Ritz in Blazing Stewardesses (1975)

Blazing Stewardesses

2.7

producer

1975

 

Susie Ewing, Georgina Spelvin, and Rosalind Miles in Girls for Rent (1974)

Girls for Rent

4.4

producer

1974

 

Dynamite Brothers (1974)

Dynamite Brothers

3.7

executive producer

1974

 

The Naughty Stewardesses (1973)

The Naughty Stewardesses

3.7

producer

1973

 

Mean Mother (1973)

Mean Mother

3.2

distribution producer (uncredited)

1973

 

Dracula vs. Frankenstein - Alternate Ending

Short

producer (uncredited)

1971

 

Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1971)

Dracula vs. Frankenstein

3.5

producer (uncredited)

1971

 

Angels' Wild Women (1971)

Angels' Wild Women

3.8

executive producer

1971

 

The Blood Drinkers (1964)

Brain of Blood

3.1

producer

1971

 

Satan's Sadists - Outtakes

Short

producer

1969

 

William Bonner, Regina Carrol, Greydon Clark, Robert Dix, and Russ Tamblyn in Satan's Sadists (1969)

Satan's Sadists

4.8

producer

1969

 

Blood of Ghastly Horror (1967)

Blood of Ghastly Horror

2.9

associate producer

1967

 

Charles Chaplin in Chaplin's Art of Comedy (1966)

Chaplin's Art of Comedy

6.8

producer

1966

 

Cinematographer

Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1971)

Dracula vs. Frankenstein

3.5

Cinematographer (Gary Graver cameo scene, uncredited)

1971

 

Production Manager

Drive-in Movie Memories (2001)

Drive-in Movie Memories

7.5

production consultant

2001

 

John Carradine and Don 'Red' Barry in Doctor Dracula (1983)

Doctor Dracula

3.1

executive in charge of production

1983

 

Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1971)

Dracula vs. Frankenstein

3.5

production supervisor

1971

 

Music Department

Yvonne De Carlo, Don 'Red' Barry, Regina Carrol, Connie Hoffman, Marilyn Joi, Geoffrey Land, Robert Livingston, Harry Ritz, and Jimmy Ritz in Blazing Stewardesses (1975)

Blazing Stewardesses

2.7

music editor (uncredited)

1975

 

Dracula vs. Frankenstein (1971)

Dracula vs. Frankenstein

3.5

music editor (uncredited)

1971

 

Additional Crew

Rex (2008)

Rex

5.1

production consultant

2008

 

Girls Nite Out (1982)

Girls Nite Out

4.9

production consultant

1982

 

Per Oscarsson in Terror of Frankenstein (1977)

Terror of Frankenstein

5.8

production consultant

1977

 

Mean Mother (1973)

Mean Mother

3.2

production consultant (uncredited)

1973

 

Joseph Cotten, John Gabriel, and Anne Randall in Doomsday Voyage (1972)

Doomsday Voyage

3.6

production consultant

1972

 

The Blood Drinkers (1964)

Brain of Blood

3.1

voice dubbing: Richard Smedley & Grant Williams Fight Scenes (uncredited)

1971

 

Horror of the Blood Monsters (1970)

Horror of the Blood Monsters

3.1

production consultant

1970

 

Hell's Bloody Devils (1970)

Hell's Bloody Devils

4.3

production consultant

1970

 

Beast of Blood (1970)

Beast of Blood

4.8

production consultant (uncredited)

1970

 

Five Bloody Graves (1969)

Five Bloody Graves

3.5

promotional director (uncredited)

1969

 

William Bonner, Regina Carrol, Greydon Clark, Robert Dix, and Russ Tamblyn in Satan's Sadists (1969)

Satan's Sadists

4.8

production consultant

1969

 

Mad Doctor of Blood Island (1968)

Mad Doctor of Blood Island

4.6

production consultant (uncredited)

1968

 

The Ghastly Ones (1968)

The Ghastly Ones

3.8

production consultantstory consultanttitles (uncredited)

1968

 

Thanks

Roanna Jackson in White Buffalo: An American Prophecy (2024)

White Buffalo: An American Prophecy

7.6

very special thanks

2024

 

Film is Dead. Long Live Film! (2024)

Film is Dead. Long Live Film!

7.7

thanks (as Sam Sherman)

2024

 

Feed Your Head! Lose Your Head! - Tens of Dozens of Reasons to Love 'Dracula vs. Frankenstein' A Visual Essay (2020)

Feed Your Head! Lose Your Head! - Tens of Dozens of Reasons to Love 'Dracula vs. Frankenstein' A Visual Essay

Video

thanks (as Sam Sherman)

2020

 

Happy Goldsplatt in Celluloid Bloodbath: More Prevues from Hell (2012)

Celluloid Bloodbath: More Prevues from Hell

5.2

special thanks

2012

 

Machete Maidens Unleashed! (2010)

Machete Maidens Unleashed!

7.3

our deepest appreciation to our interviewees (as Sam Sherman)

2010

 

Mondo Macabro (2001)

Mondo Macabro

7.9

TV Series

special thanks

2002

1 episode

 

E! True Hollywood Story (1996)

E! True Hollywood Story

6.5

TV Series

special thanks (as Sam Sherman)

2000

1 episode

 

It's Alive: The True Story of Frankenstein (1994)

It's Alive: The True Story of Frankenstein

7.2

TV Movie

special thanks (as Sam Sherman)

1994

 

Madison in Evil Toons (1992)

Evil Toons

4.2

special thanks (as Sam Sherman)

1992

 

Jannina Poynter in Angel of Vengeance (1987)

Angel of Vengeance

3.7

special thanks (as Sam Sherman)

1987

 

Drive-in Madness! (1987)

Drive-in Madness!

5.8

special thanks

1987

 

Self

Lunch with Archer King

Self

Post-production

 

The Proof is Out There (2021)

The Proof is Out There

6.6

TV Series

Self - Film Producer (as Sam Sherman)

2025

1 episode

 

Zandor and Friends

Video

Self

2020

 

Blood and Flesh: The Reel Life and Ghastly Death of Al Adamson (2019)

Blood and Flesh: The Reel Life and Ghastly Death of Al Adamson

7.3

Self

2019

 

Memories of Blood

Video

Self

2019

 

Gary Kent in Danger God (2018)

Danger God

7.1

Self

2018

 

Heckler Kane: The Imperfect Podcast (2013)

Heckler Kane: The Imperfect Podcast

Podcast Series

Guest

2017

2 episodes

 

42nd Street Memories: The Rise and Fall of America's Most Notorious Street (2015)

42nd Street Memories: The Rise and Fall of America's Most Notorious Street

7.5

Self - DistributorProducer

2015

 

Sam Sherman erzählt

Video

Self - Narrator (as Sam Sherman)

2015

 

Creature Feature: 60 Years of the Gill-Man (2014)

Creature Feature: 60 Years of the Gill-Man

7.6

Self

2014

 

Adjust Your Tracking (2013)

Adjust Your Tracking

7.0

Self

2013

 

John Carradine: Galerie eines Schauspielers

Video

Self

2011

 

Getränkt in Blut! Sam Sherman über Drakapa

Video

Self

2011

 

Machete Maidens Unleashed! (2010)

Machete Maidens Unleashed!

7.3

Self

2010

 

Producing Schlock: The Career of Al Adamson

6.5

Video

Self

2008

 

Sam Sherman Interviews Actor John Gabriel

Video

Self

2005

 

Creature Feature: 50 Years of the Gill-Man (2004)

Creature Feature: 50 Years of the Gill-Man

7.3

Video

Self

2004

 

Sidney Pink on 'Pyro'

Short

Self

2001

 

Drive-in Movie Memories (2001)

Drive-in Movie Memories

7.5

Self (as Sam Sherman)

2001

 

Forrest Ackerman Deleted Scene

Video

Self (as Sam Sherman)

2001

 

E! True Hollywood Story (1996)

E! True Hollywood Story

6.5

TV Series

Self (as Sam Sherman)

2000

1 episode

 

Sightings (1991)

Sightings

8.2

TV Series

Self - UFO Investigator (segment "Edwards Encounter")Self - UFO Investigator (segment "In the News") (as Sam Sherman)

1996

2 episodes

 

Al Adamson: Drive-in Monster

4.1

Short

Self

1995

 

The Joe Franklin Show (1950)

The Joe Franklin Show

6.9

TV Series

Self

1993

1 episode

 

Drive-in Madness! (1987)

Drive-in Madness!

5.8

Self

1987