Alan Smithee (also Allen Smithee) is an official pseudonym used by members of the Directors Guild of America, dissatisfied with the end result of a project, proven to the satisfaction of a guild panel that he or she had not been able to exercise creative control over a film.
[customfont1]Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996)[/customfont1]
The fourth in the series is oddly a prequel and a sequel; it is also the first movie role for director and Kate Bosworth hubby Michael Polish.
[customfont1]Another Night of the Living Dead (2011)[/customfont1]
A nudity-filled parody of the original ‘Night of the Living Dead’, it appears that this one was intended to be a Smithee from the start.
[customfont1]The Coroner (1999)[/customfont1]
Two directors – one decided to claim the film, and the other disavowed involvement when the movie turned out to be a thinly veiled attempt to pack as much sex and as little ‘horror’ into a film as possible.
[customfont1]Bloodsucking Pharaohs in Pittsburgh (1991)[/customfont1]
Dean Tchetter, who is better known for art direction and production design, he made one brief foray into directing. Needless to say, it didn’t turn out well. Still worth watching, mostly because of that most incredible title.
[customfont1]Ghost Fever (1987)[/customfont1]
Full disclosure: I watched this movie as a kid, many times, and totally loved it. Release was delayed for two years because of extensive re-shooting and re-editing; director Lee Madden (‘Night Creature’) was so upset by the final product that he removed his name from the film and never directed another movie.
[customfont1]Neowolf (2010)[/customfont1]
The director was not the only person who walked away from filming ‘Neowolf’ with a bad taste in their mouth. Lead actress Heidi Johanningmeier was not informed that before selling the film to Lionsgate, the producers hired non-union actresses to play out love scenes and add nudity. She says that if the original script had been anything like what is currently being distributed, she would not have taken part in this film. Johanningmeier has never acted in a film where her character has been shown nude. Since the producers changed these scenes without her consent, the Screen Actors Guild is currently suing the producers of ‘Neowolf’. (from IMDB)
[customfont1]Raging Angels (1995)[/customfont1]
Not much to be found on this one, other than the hilarious and brief IMDB summary: “Two musicians are unknowingly drawn into a supernatural scheme.” There you have it.
[customfont1]The Birds II: Lands End (1994)[/customfont1]
This is a made-for-Showtime less-than-stellar sequel to Hitchcock’s brilliant 1963 film. Sadly, they talked the lead actress from the original, Tippi Hedren, into playing a role in this one.
[customfont1]Fatal Charm (1990)[/customfont1]
This one became a direct-to-video flick and director Fritz Kiersch (Children of the Corn) was so embarrassed by the product that he decided to Smithee it.
[customfont1]Appointment with Fear (1985)[/customfont1]
After trying his hand at directing, Ramsey Thomas decided he should probably stick to producing (Stargate, Halloween 5). Probably a good idea.
[customfont1]Soul’s Ark (1999)[/customfont1]
Got nothin’ on this one, so here’s the IMDB summary: After disappearances during an archeological dig, Stella Grant (Carole Ann Ford) sends in her two top agents, played by Colin Baker and Wendy Padbury, to investigate.
[customfont1]The Guardian – TV edit (1990)[/customfont1]
The TV edit was just too much a departure from the original for director William Friedkin (‘The Exorcist’) to handle. The original version still made Roger Ebert’s “most hated films” list.
[customfont1]Twilight Zone: The Movie – assistant director (1983)[/customfont1]
Probably the most grim reason ever for a Smithee credit. Second Assistant Director Anderson House worked on the first segment of the movie. Tragically, Vic Morrow and two children were killed in a helicopter accident during production.
