I recently noticed that there are three Bigfoot movie directors/producers whose deaths I missed when they passed away. I apologize for having not celebrated their life’s work in a more timely fashion, but I shall recall them now.

The world would be a less enjoyable place without the Bigfoot drive-in films these men were involved in creating.

These three old obituaries were originally published over on the excellent entertainment news site, EInsiders. All three obits were written by my friend Rusty White. (I have posted them below, unedited.)

My prayers, thoughts, and remembrances to the families and friends of these men.

JOY NEWTON HOUCK JR. Died Oct. 1, 2003

B-movie writer/director/producer and actor Joy N. Houck Jr. died of heart failure at home at age 61. Mr. Houck wrote and directed a number of B-Movies during the 70s and 80s. His Bigfoot movie “Creature From Black Lake” has a cult following. The movie starred Jack Elam, Dub Taylor and John David Carson. Mr. Houck began in horror films during the 1960s, writing, directing and producing “Night of Bloody Horror” and “Women and Bloody Terror.” A young actor named Gerald McRaney starred in both. They were his first films! Mr. Houck’s acting credits include “The Shepard of the Hills,” Clint Eastwood’s “Tight Rope,” “The Big Easy” and the excellent HBO film “Doublecrossed” with Dennis Hopper. I haven’t seen the movie since I was a teenager, but I remember enjoying Charles B. Pierce’s redneck gangster drive-in hit “Bootleggers.” Mr. Houck played Bobby Joe Woodall. If I remember correctly, he has some inbred relatives named Big-Un Woodall, Sally Fannie Woodall and Rufus Woodall. Those were the days for fun trashy movies.

JOHN BRADEN Died May 22, 2004

Producer/director John Braden died of pneumonia at age 55. Mr. Braden’s credits include such TV shows as “The A-Team,” “The Fall Guy” and the mini-series “The Blue and the Gray.” Mr. Braden was partners with producer Harry Thomason for a number of years. The two produced such classic schlock as “The Day It Came to Earth” and “Revenge of Bigfoot.”

ROBERT SLATZER Died Mar. 28, 2005

Director Robert Slatzer died at age 77 following a lengthy illness. Mr. Slatzer was also an author of many books on the film industry. He was famous for his unsubstantiated and oft-refuted claim that he was briefly married to Marilyn Monroe. His story was turned into the 1991 TV movie “Marilyn and Me” with actor Jesse Dobson portraying Mr. Slatzer. Mr. Slatzer wrote and directed two B-Movie features: “Bigfoot” and biker chick saga “The Hellcats.” He also made a cameo in the biker chick film. Mr. Slatzer also directed the documentary “No Substitute for Victory.” John Wayne narrated the celluloid attempt to hold back the turning tide of American public opinion against the Vietnam War.

All obits here credit: Rusty White.