Paul Bartel
Encyclopedia
Paul Bartel was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...

, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....

 and director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...

. Bartel was perhaps most known for his 1982 hit black comedy
Black comedy
A black comedy, or dark comedy, is a comic work that employs black humor or gallows humor. The definition of black humor is problematic; it has been argued that it corresponds to the earlier concept of gallows humor; and that, as humor has been defined since Freud as a comedic act that anesthetizes...

 Eating Raoul
Eating Raoul
Eating Raoul is a 1982 black comedy about a married couple living in Hollywood who resort to killing swingers for their money. It was directed by Paul Bartel and written by Bartel and Richard Blackburn...

, which he wrote, starred in and directed.

Life and career

Bartel was born in Brooklyn, NY, the son of Jesse and William Bartel, who was an advertising executive. Bartel was openly gay; this influenced his career choice, as he found himself more accepted and afforded more opportunities within the independent film industry than he would have in Hollywood.

In 1979, he was a member of the jury at the 29th Berlin International Film Festival
29th Berlin International Film Festival
The 29th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from February 20 to March 3, 1979.-Jury:* Julie Christie* Romain Gary* Ingrid Caven* Georg Alexander* Liliana Cavani* Jörn Donner* Paul Bartel* Pál Gábor-Films in competition:...

.

Bartel appeared in over 90 movies and TV episodes, including such titles as Eat My Dust (1976), Rock 'n' Roll High School
Rock 'n' Roll High School
Rock 'n' Roll High School is a 1979 musical comedy film produced by Roger Corman, directed by Allan Arkush, and featuring the Ramones.The film starred P. J. Soles, Vince Van Patten, and Clint Howard...

 (1979), Get Crazy
Get Crazy
Get Crazy is a 1983 film directed by Allan Arkush and starring Malcolm McDowell, Allen Garfield, Daniel Stern, Gail Edwards, and Ed Begley, Jr.-Premise:...

 (1983) and Amazon Women On The Moon
Amazon Women on the Moon
Amazon Women on the Moon is a 1987 American satirical comedy film that parodies the experience of watching low-budget movies on late-night television...

 (1987). His most common co-star was former Warhol girl Mary Woronov
Mary Woronov
Mary Woronov is an American actress and writer. She is primarily known for her roles in independent and cult films. Woronov has appeared in over 80 movies, as well as numerous appearances in mainstream television series, such as Charlie's Angels and Knight Rider.-Early life:Woronov was born in the...

--they appeared in 17 films together.

Bartel also directed 11 low-budget films, many of which he also acted in or wrote. His started in 1968 with the short The Secret Cinema, a paranoid delusional fantasy of self-referential cinema. He graduated to features in 1972 with the horror-comedy Private Parts. He would go on to direct such cult films as Death Race 2000
Death Race 2000
Death Race 2000 is a 1975 cult action film directed by Paul Bartel, and starring David Carradine, Simone Griffeth and Sylvester Stallone. The film takes place in a dystopian American society in the year 2000, where the murderous Transcontinental Road Race has become a form of national entertainment...

 (1975), Eating Raoul
Eating Raoul
Eating Raoul is a 1982 black comedy about a married couple living in Hollywood who resort to killing swingers for their money. It was directed by Paul Bartel and written by Bartel and Richard Blackburn...

 (1982), Lust in the Dust
Lust in the Dust
Lust in the Dust is a 1985 Western comedy film starring Divine, Tab Hunter, Cesar Romero, and Lainie Kazan, and directed by Paul Bartel. It takes its title from a longstanding nickname given to the 1946 Western Duel in the Sun...

 (1985) and Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills
Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills
Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills is an American black comedy film released in 1989. Co-written and directed by Paul Bartel, Scenes re-unites Bartel with his Eating Raoul co-stars Mary Woronov and Robert Beltran...

 (1989).

Death

Bartel died May 13, 2000 of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...

 two weeks after liver cancer
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer. Most cases of HCC are secondary to either a viral hepatitide infection or cirrhosis .Compared to other cancers, HCC is quite a rare tumor in the United States...

 surgery; he was 61 years old.

Tribute

The Belgian horror movie Calvaire paid a tribute to the late Bartel — the mad innkeeper character is named "Paul Bartel".

Filmography

  • Progetti (1962) director
  • The Secret Cinema
    The Secret Cinema (1968 film)
    The Secret Cinema is a short black-and-white film produced, written, and directed by Paul Bartel, and released in 1968.-Plot summary:Jane is a secretary who doesn't know that her life is being filmed and shown in theaters, or that those who are closest to her are in on it...

     (1968) director
  • Private Parts
    Private Parts (1972 film)
    Private Parts is a 1972 black comedy horror film directed by Paul Bartel as his feature film debut.-Synopsis:When Cheryl and her roommate quarrel, Cheryl moves into her aunt's skid-row hotel in downtown L.A. rather than return home to Ohio...

     (1972) as Man In Park (uncredited); also: director
  • Big Bad Mama
    Big Bad Mama
    Big Bad Mama is a 1974 American film produced by Roger Corman, starring Angie Dickinson, William Shatner, and Tom Skerritt. It was followed by a sequel, Big Bad Mama II, in 1987.- Plot :...

     (1974) as Guest at Fancy Party (uncredited)
  • Death Race 2000
    Death Race 2000
    Death Race 2000 is a 1975 cult action film directed by Paul Bartel, and starring David Carradine, Simone Griffeth and Sylvester Stallone. The film takes place in a dystopian American society in the year 2000, where the murderous Transcontinental Road Race has become a form of national entertainment...

     (1975) as Frankenstein's Doctor (uncredited); also: director
  • Hollywood Boulevard (1976) as Eric von Leppe
  • Cannonball!
    Cannonball (film)
    Cannonball, also known as Carquake, is a 1976 film starring David Carradine. The film is one of two released in 1976 that were based on a real illegal cross-continent road race that took place for a number of years in the United States...

     (1976) as Lester Marks; also: writer, director
  • Grand Theft Auto
    Grand Theft Auto (film)
    Grand Theft Auto is a 1977 American comedy chase film directed by Ron Howard. It was Howard's directorial debut and features himself as Sam Freeman and Nancy Morgan as Paula Powers in the leading roles...

     (1977) as Groom
  • Piranha (1978) as Mr. Dumont
  • Rock 'n' Roll High School
    Rock 'n' Roll High School
    Rock 'n' Roll High School is a 1979 musical comedy film produced by Roger Corman, directed by Allan Arkush, and featuring the Ramones.The film starred P. J. Soles, Vince Van Patten, and Clint Howard...

     (1979) as Mr. McGree
  • Heartbeeps
    Heartbeeps
    Heartbeeps is an American romantic sci-fi comedy film about two robots who fall in love and decide to strike out on their own. It was directed by Allan Arkush, and starred Andy Kaufman and Bernadette Peters as the robots...

     (1981) as Party Guest
  • Eating Raoul
    Eating Raoul
    Eating Raoul is a 1982 black comedy about a married couple living in Hollywood who resort to killing swingers for their money. It was directed by Paul Bartel and written by Bartel and Richard Blackburn...

     (1982) as Paul Bland; also: writer, director
  • White Dog
    White Dog
    White Dog is a 1982 American drama film directed by Samuel Fuller using a screenplay written by Fuller and Curtis Hanson loosely based on Romain Gary's 1970 novel of the same title...

     (1982) as Cameraman
  • Heart Like a Wheel
    Heart Like a Wheel (film)
    Heart Like a Wheel is a 1983 biographical film based on the life of drag racing driver Shirley Muldowney. It stars Bonnie Bedelia and Beau Bridges....

     (1983) as Chef Paul
  • Get Crazy
    Get Crazy
    Get Crazy is a 1983 film directed by Allan Arkush and starring Malcolm McDowell, Allen Garfield, Daniel Stern, Gail Edwards, and Ed Begley, Jr.-Premise:...

     (1983) as Dr. Carver
  • Frankenweenie (1984) as Mr. Walsh
  • Not For Publication (1984) writer, director
  • Follow That Bird (1985) as a cook in the Grouch diner
  • Into the Night (1985) as Beverly Wilshire Hotel Doorman
  • Lust in the Dust
    Lust in the Dust
    Lust in the Dust is a 1985 Western comedy film starring Divine, Tab Hunter, Cesar Romero, and Lainie Kazan, and directed by Paul Bartel. It takes its title from a longstanding nickname given to the 1946 Western Duel in the Sun...

     (1985) director
  • European Vacation (1985) as Mr. Froeger
  • Killer Party
    Killer Party
    Killer Party is a horror film released in 1986. The movie was directed by William Fruet.-Plot:Three friends are trying to get into a sorority. One of them, Vivia , plays a prank on the girls in the sorority on the night of the initiation...

     (1986) as Professor Zito
  • Chopping Mall
    Chopping Mall
    Chopping Mall is an American horror/science fiction film, produced by Julie Corman and originally released on March 21, 1986 under the title Killbots....

     (1986) as Paul Bland
  • The Longshot
    The Longshot
    -Cast:*Tim Conway as Dooley*Jack Weston as Elton*Harvey Korman as Lou*Ted Wass as Stump*Eddie Deezen as Parking Attendant*Brad Trumbull as Track Cop...

     (1986) director
  • Munchies
    Munchies (film)
    Munchies is a 1987 horror film starring Harvey Korman, Charlie Stratton, and Nadine Van der Velde. Clearly inspired by the success of Gremlins, and directed by that film's editor, Tina Hirsch, the film features a remarkably similar plot line. It spawned two sequels, Munchie and Munchie Strikes...

     (1987) as Dr. Crowder
  • Amazon Women on the Moon
    Amazon Women on the Moon
    Amazon Women on the Moon is a 1987 American satirical comedy film that parodies the experience of watching low-budget movies on late-night television...

     (1987) as Doctor, in "Recklss Youth" segment
  • Shakedown
    Shakedown (1988 film)
    Shakedown, also known as Blue Jean Cop, is a 1988 crime drama/action movie starring Peter Weller and Sam Elliott. The movie is about an idealistic lawyer teaming with a veteran cop to find out the truth in a possible police corruption scandal.-Plot:...

     (1988) as Night Court Judge
  • Caddyshack II
    Caddyshack II
    Caddyshack II is the 1988 sequel to the 1980 golf comedy film Caddyshack. The film stars Jackie Mason, Dan Aykroyd, Robert Stack, Dyan Cannon, Chevy Chase, Jonathan Silverman, and Jessica Lundy.-Plot:...

     (1988) as Mr. Jamison
  • Out of the Dark
    Out of the Dark (1989 film)
    Out of the Dark is an erotic comedy horror film released in 1989 starring Karen Witter. The film is notable for being Divine's last movie.-Plot:...

     (1989) as Hotel Clerk; also: executive producer
  • Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills
    Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills
    Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills is an American black comedy film released in 1989. Co-written and directed by Paul Bartel, Scenes re-unites Bartel with his Eating Raoul co-stars Mary Woronov and Robert Beltran...

     (1989) as Dr. Mo Van De Kamp; also: writer, director
  • Far Out Man
    Far Out Man
    Far Out Man was a 1990 comedy film written, directed by and starring Tommy Chong. It was filmed in Los Angeles, California, USA. Cinetel Films produced the movie and it was distributed in USA theaters by New Line Cinema, Sony Video , Platinum Disc , and RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video...

     (1990) as Weebee Cool
  • Gremlins 2: The New Batch
    Gremlins 2: The New Batch
    Gremlins 2: The New Batch is a 1990 American horror comedy film, and the sequel to Gremlins . It was directed by Joe Dante and written by Charles S. Haas, with creature designs by Rick Baker...

     (1990) as Theatre Manager
  • The Pope Must Die
    The Pope Must Die
    The Pope Must Die is a 1991 comedy film starring Robbie Coltrane, Adrian Edmondson, Annette Crosbie, Alex Rocco and Peter Richardson who also directed.-Plot:...

     (1991) as Monsignor Fitchie
  • The Living End
    The Living End (film)
    The Living End is a 1992 film by Gregg Araki. Described by some critics as a "gay Thelma and Louise," the film is an early entry in the New Queer Cinema genre. The Living End was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival in 1992....

     (1992) as Twister Master
  • Desire and Hell at Sunset Motel
    Desire and Hell at Sunset Motel
    Desire and Hell at Sunset Motel is a 1992 neo-noir black comedy written and directed by Alien Castle. The film stars Sherilyn Fenn, Whip Hubley, David Hewlett, David Johansen and Paul Bartel.-Plot:...

     (1992) as The Manager
  • Posse
    Posse (1993 film)
    Posse is a 1993 American Western film directed by and starring Mario Van Peebles. Featuring a large ensemble cast of mostly African-American actors, the film is about a posse of black soldiers and one ostracized white soldier, who are all betrayed by a corrupt colonel. The title of the film refers...

     (1993) as Mayor Bigwood
  • Shelf Life
    Shelf life
    Shelf life is the length of time that food, drink, medicine, chemicals, and many other perishable items are given before they are considered unsuitable for sale, use, or consumption...

     (1993) director
  • The Jerky Boys (1995) as Host at Tut's
  • The Usual Suspects
    The Usual Suspects
    The Usual Suspects is a 1995 American neo-noir film written by Christopher McQuarrie and directed by Bryan Singer. It stars Stephen Baldwin, Gabriel Byrne, Benicio del Toro, Chazz Palminteri, Kevin Pollak, Kevin Spacey and Pete Postlethwaite....

     (1995) .... as Smuggler
  • Red Ribbon Blues
    Red Ribbon Blues
    Red Ribbon Blues is a 1996 comedy-drama with classic heist/caper elements. Written and directed by Charles Winkler, the film played the gay and lesbian film festival circuit in 1996.-Synopsis:...

     (1996) as Fred the Pharmacist
  • Joe's Apartment
    Joe's Apartment
    Joe's Apartment is a 1996 musical-serio-comedy film starring Jerry O'Connell and Megan Ward and the first film produced by MTV Films. It was based on a 1992 short film first made for MTV , but was also inspired by both the 1987 Japanese film Gokiburi-tachi No Tasogare and...

     (1996) as NEA Scout
  • Escape from L.A.
    Escape from L.A.
    Escape From L.A. is a 1996 film directed by John Carpenter. The sequel to the action film Escape from New York, the film follows former war hero Snake Plissken, played by Kurt Russell...

     (1996) as Congressman
  • Basquiat (1996) as Henry Geldzahler
  • Lewis and Clark and George
    Lewis and Clark and George
    Lewis and Clark and George is a 1996 comedy crime thriller film directed by Rod McCall.-Plot:Lewis and Clark and George opens with Salvator Xuereb and Dan Gunther at a water tank site wearing prison jump suits...

     (1997) as Cop
  • Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss
    Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss
    Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss is a 1998 American independent, gay-themed romantic comedy film written and directed by Tommy O'Haver and starring Sean P. Hayes, Brad Rowe, and Meredith Scott Lynn...

     (1998) as Rex Webster
  • Paul also appeared in a number of his friend Bobby Roth's films including 'Baja Oklahoma' in 1987,'Love Can Build A Bridge' in 1995,'The Inheritance' in 1997, and 'The Devil's Child' in 1997.

External links

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