Jack Henry Harris (November 28, 1918 – March 14, 2017) was an American film producer and distributor. He produced The Blob (1958), 4D Man (1959), and Equinox (1970).
Early life Harris was born to a Jewish family in Philadelphia, the son of Sara and Benny Ostravsky. His mother was from Romania and his father from Poland; the latter changed the family surname to Harris.
Career Early career Harris began his career in show business as a vaudeville performer in Gus Edwards' Kiddie Revue when he was six years old. He would later work in a theatre as an usher, in a publicity department, and in the distribution field, finally later taking up a career as a producer.
Film production Harris is credited with coming up with the original motivation for his 1958 film, The Blob. Harris also worked on the TV series It's About Time and The Twilight Zone.
Distribution and retitling practices As a distributor, Harris was known for acquiring independent films and retitling them with more commercial or exploitative names to enhance their marketability. One notable example was his acquisition of the 1973 Vietnam veteran drama Just Be There, which he retitled The Swinging Teacher and remarketed as an exploitation film despite its serious dramatic content.
Later recognition Harris was among the 22 people selected to be honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2014, in the motion pictures category. 95 at the time of his unveiling ceremony held on February 4, 2014, he was the oldest person to be honored with a star on the Walk of Fame.
Personal life In 1988, he married Judith "Judy" Parker; they lived in Beverly Hills.
Death Harris died March 14, 2017, at his home in Beverly Hills at aged 98.
Filmography He was a producer in all films unless otherwise noted.
Film Year Film Credit Notes 1958 The Blob 1959 4D Man 1960 Dinosaurus! 1965 Master of Horror Executive producer 1966 The Unkissed Bride 1970 Equinox 1972 Beware! The Blob Executive producer 1973 Schlock 1974 Dark Star Executive producer 1978 Eyes of Laura Mars Executive producer 1986 Prison Ship 1988 The Blob 1991 Blobermouth Final film as a producer
Miscellaneous crew
Year Film Role Notes 1968 Without a Stitch Presenter 1973 The Swinging Teacher Originally titled Just Be There 1974 Dark Star 1976 Ape
As an actor
Year Film Role Notes 1958 The Blob Man Running Out of Theater Uncredited 1959 4D Man Man in Nightclub 1960 Dinosaurus! Tourist on Boat 1970 Equinox Detective Harrison 1972 Beware! The Blob Man Running Across Ice 1973 Schlock Man Reading Horror Comic 1978 Eyes of Laura Mars Man in Gallery 1986 Prison Ship Intercom Announcer Voice role
As writer
Year Film 1959 4D Man 1960 Dinosaurus! 1966 The Unkissed Bride 1972 Beware! The Blob
As director
Year Film 1966 The Unkissed Bride
Thanks
Year Film Role 2009 Alien Trespass Acknowledgment: The Blob footage courtesy of
Television Year Title 1960 Masterworks of Terror
Miscellaneous crew
Year Title Role Notes 1959 Masterworks of Terror Producer US version 1961 The Twilight Zone Dinosaur sequence 1966 It's About Time Special film material 1974 The Horror Hall of Fame Provider: Filmclips Documentary
Book In 2015, Harris published his first book, Father of the Blob: The Making of a Monster Smash & Other Hollywood Tales (TVGuestpert Publishing).
References
External links