I just searched the Straight Dope database, and I discovered that we’ve never discussed that subject. Does anyone have any picks for worst director?
A lot people say Ed Wood, but I saw “Plan 9 From Outer Space” a few weeks ago, and although it was pretty bad, I have indeed seen worse. Much worse. I saw this thing a month or so ago I guess would technically count as a movie, that was awe-inspiringly terrible. I have successfully blocked its full name from my mind, but I seem to recall it was from Germany and had “shit” in the title. I’ll come back after I recall the name.
OK, it was Violent Shit 3: Infantry Of Doom. It seemed to be half filmed, half video-taped. Of course, it’s a gore exploitation flick, so I wasn’t expecting Citizen Kane, but even with appropriate expectations the director, Andreas Schnaas, deserves to be in the running for worst director, IMO.
Usually, Edward Wood does indeed get the nod (personally, I consider Bride of the Monster even more of an excrescence than Plan 9), but I have a soft spot in my head for William “One-Shot” Beaudine.
Beaudine is probably best remembered (if at all) for the “Bowery Boys” films in the '40s; however, my affection(?) for him stems from Jesse James Meets Frankenstein’s Daughter and Billy the Kid vs Dracula. In one of these (I forget which) two characters are shown walking through a tunnel/mine, with one of them carrying a torch. So far, so good; but the stagehand with the spotlight manages to shine it everywhere except where the torchlight should logically be falling. (Beaudine got the nickname “One-Shot” because of his refusal to reshoot anything, even when faced with such gaffes.)
Andy Warhol. I just saw Women in Revolt, and could barely get through it–only the wonderful Candy Darling kept me tuned in. I get the impression Andy (or whichever cohort was on duty that day), just pointed the camera at the cast and disinterestedly walked out of the room. No script, no focus, sometimes the camera wasn’t even pointed at anything in particular. made Ed Wood look like Griffith.
How about George Lucas after 1980? Or, if you want to be generous, 1983?
David Lynch.
For everyone who says “Mulholland Drive” was a great (or, not bad enough to get Lynch mentioned) film, go rent “Eraserhead.” Now watch it. All the way through. In one sitting. Now, try to tell me that was not the single worst event of your life.
Well, how 'bout we expand the title of ‘Worst Director’ to not only a filmmaker who actually MADE some terrible movies, but also one who INFLUENCED even more godawful movies in his or her wake…
With this in mind I’d like to give the nod to Michael “No Single Shot Over Three Seconds Allowed” Bay. I find his movies and all the resulting clones impossible to sit through.
Alan Smithee 
My vote goes to Joel Schumacher. He’s had some decent flicks, but he gets my vote for single-handedly destroying the Batman movie franchise.
Tom Laughlin. Just watch any of the Billy Jack movies, and you’ll know why.
Paul Verhoeven: I used to think he made schlocky movies on purpose. Then he made Showgirls, and I realized that he’d been serious about all those other movies. When he sets out to make a bad movie, he doesn’t mess around.
Curse you, Ender_Will. I was going to say Lynch. I’ve never understood his appeal. He’s bad at every aspect of directing and he makes horrible, unwatchable crap every single time he’s behind a camera.
Maybe it’s just a case of gross incompetence being so absolute that it comes out the other side appearing as art or genius to some folks. I’d certainly consider it a better world if DL were working at DQ rather than in film.
I was hoping to be the first to say Joel Schumacher. Falling Down and Tigerland both had their good points, but otherwise Schumacher has done absolutely nothing worth a damn. He’s just really good a screwing up potentially good films.
Roger Corman?
Yeah i guess if you don’t appriciate it’s crap, love the logic…
Take a look at a movie like The Straight Story at tell me Lynch is the WORST DIRECTOR OF ALL TIME…
I’m afraid I haven’t seen most David Lynch movies but I think The Elephant Man is a pretty excellent movie. Of course when most people think of Lynch, they never think of this movie.
I’ll put in another vote for Joel Schumacher.
Rats, Lauramarlane, I opened this thread just to answer Alan Smithee.
Wes Craven.
Hal Warren, director, writer, producer and star of Manos: The Hands of Fate.