William Girdler

William Girdler (October 22, 1947 – January 21, 1978) was an American filmmaker. In a span of six years, from 1972 to 1978, he directed nine feature films in such genres as horror and action. Girdler also wrote and produced three of his features, Abby, Sheba, Baby and The Manitou. Life and career Girdler, born in Louisville, Kentucky, He made his first films with a home movie camera at the age of 8 and by the age of 23, produced his first film Asylum of Satan. He is the founder of the Mid-America Pictures corporation Among the film he directed was Aslym of Satan (1971), Three on a Meathook (1972), Zebra Killers (1973), Abby (1974), Sheba, Baby (1974), Project: Kill (1975), Grizzly (1975), and The Day of the Animals. Grizzly was one of the top 10 grossing pictures in the United States in 1976. His final film, The Manitou, was made in 1977 and released a few weeks after his death. Death William Girdler died in a helicopter crash in the Philippines about 30 miles from Manila on January 21, 1978. Along with producer Patrick Allan Kelly, Girdler scouting filming locations for a film about drug smuggling. The body was flown from Manila to Los Angeles where memorial service was set to be held.