Ok, so a movie called CREEP! - A documentary about a real-life creep and the seriously bad movie (The Creeping Terror) for which he was responsible. Why?

When I was a kid, I saw The Creeping Terror one late Saturday night on television during "Scream Theater", one of countless horror/sci-fi showcases so popular back in the 70s and 80s. Although I was no stranger to the genre, being an admitted monster movie "geek" and having seen countless good and bad sci-fi/monster epics such as Creature from the Black Lagoon, Godzilla, Robot Monster, etc., I was nonetheless in awe when The Creeping Terror lurched out at me over the airwaves. My brother and I were in hysterics over the pathetic monster and insipid narration. A bizarre fascination with the film began then and remains to this day.

Over the years I have accumulated sparse data on this obscure film, but sometime in the early 90s entered Michael and Harry Medved's book, Son of Golden Turkey Awards. The Medveds had already established themselves securely as bad film historians and aficionados with their infamous Golden Turkey Awards publication, film festivals and discussions. Anyway, the final chapter of their excellent book was devoted to the back story of The Creeping Terror and the filmmaker AJ Nelson. It was there that is was established that there were solid hints of scandal and various and sundry seedy antics involved with this production.

I find it fascinating to consider what really makes a bad movie bad. Is it the fact that it is boring, that the subject matter was ridiculous, or that is was a botched effort by a bunch of no-talent hacks? Certainly many would agree that a boring film or one that offends your sensibilities makes for a far more excruciating experience. In many ways, a botched film is like someone slipping on a banana peel, the classic sight-gag. We can laugh at the misfortune of another, since we've all been there at one point or another. But we need to consider what "bad" really is. Any movie that entertains us - no matter how that entertainment is derived - really is not all that bad, is it?

For me personally, there are few films out there as entertaining as The Creeping Terror. It is fascinating, it is hilarious, it is tragic. It is an ultra-low budget monster movie, made in 1964 with shocking cinematic ineptitude: the titular monster looks constructed of carpet remnants, there is little or no dialogue with most lines and situations explained by an off-screen narrator, and very clear cinematic gaffes abound (such as visible boom poles and stage hands).

Needless to say, my interest in the film and the story behind the film has never abated.

With CREEP! my intention is to present essentially three films in one. CREEP! will not only provide insight into the (allegedly) psychopathic filmmaker Art Nelson (actual name: Arthur White) and his film, through interviews with key members of the production, but we will be re-enacting much of the details of his life and the experience that was the making of The Creeping Terror. The third leg of this triumvirate approach will be glimpses of the movie itself with select and relevant clips.

Right now, we are in "Stage One" of production. Basically, we are amassing enough interviews and material to create this web site you are looking at and create a teaser trailer for CREEP! And boy, have we been lucky so far! Special effects master guru Richard Edlund (Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars, Ghostbusters) has joined us, as has movie expert and self-professed "head geek" Harry Knowles of AintItCool.com. They have brought some incredible insight into the film industry through their on-camera interviews. We have also "gone to the source" with rare interviews with Alan Siliphant the author of the original screenplay for The Creeping Terror, Byrd Holland who starred as "Sheriff Ben", Lois Wiseman, first wife of the intensely abusive Art Nelson, and Creeping Terror star (Dr. Bradford himself) William Thourlby.

AND the interviews rounded out with the gentlemen who in no small part inspired our entire production... (drumroll please) Michael and Harry Medved! Both of these wonderfully personable and kind men gave us some great material to work with.

Once the trailer is complete, we will be seeking completion funds to enable us to continue research and obtain more interviews. Then we dive into production of our re-enactment footage. We will certainly be seeking the interest of high-caliber talent to play the key roles in our story.

Keep an eye on the blog for more information as we move through our production, and follow us on Twitter (@creepfilm).

I also invite those interested in participating in the production of CREEP! help us tell this story to the world and be a part of filmmaking! Check out our "Participate" page for information on merchandise and donations.

Please take a long look around and see just some of the fascinating story we plan on bringing the world.

Best,
Pete Schuermann

PS: As a slight validation of our efforts, I offer up this little clip from Harry Knowles as he reflects on The Creeping Terror and our project...