I no longer have my book “The Golden Turkey Awards” but I am trying to think of someone who was nominated as worst director. (I believe the winner was the infamous Ed Wood).
The story in the book that makes this director memorable concerns his being notified that his movie is running behind schedule. His response is hysterical:
"You mean someone’s actually waiting to see this?? !!"
Who was this director?
That would be William Beaudine.
I have a copy of Golden Turkey Awards, in case there’s anything else you want to know.
Also known as “One-Shot”—he never seemed to see the need for retakes.
I recall watching one of his works on TV (I think it was Billy the Kid vs Dracula, but I might be mistaken). One scene takes place in a mine, with one of the characters carrying a lantern. A stagehand was apparently detailed to shine a spot where the lantern light would be falling; but he missed the mark so completely that it appeared he was having a grand mal seizure. The light was falling on faces, feet, walls, ceiling—everywhere but where it should have been.
Beaudine (obviously) printed it anyway.
Rilchiam and Otto Da Fe, thank you very much.