Stevens, B: Monte Hellman

In 1970, the Los Angeles Times called Hellman "Hollywood's Best Kept Secret." More than 30 years later, his genius is recognized by a small but passionate fan base. This biography is also a study of his films and those he has worked on. Among them are the Wild Ride, The Intruder, Creature from the Haunted Sea, Last Woman on Earth, The Terror, Dementia 13, Bus Riley's Back in Town, Flight to Fury, Two Lane Blacktop, and Iguana. The book covers his youth, his development as a stage actor and director, his break into the film industry with Beast from Haunted Cave, and his involvement with other filmmakers. Attention is focused on Hellman's dominant themes; his characters, who always seem to be involved in undefined or questionable activity; and his fusion of form and content to such a degree that they become inseparable.