Coleman C. Francis (January 24, 1919 â€" January 15, 1973) was an
American actor, writer, producer and director. He was best known for
his film trilogy consisting of The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961), The
Skydivers (1963) and Red Zone Cuba (1966), all three of which were
filmed in the general vicinity of Santa Clarita, California. Hallmarks
of Francis' films include preoccupation with light aircraft and
parachuting, coffee or cigarettes serving as props or centers of
conversation and vigilante-style gunning down of suspects without
trial at the films' conclusions.Francis and his films have gained a
cult status as a result of their appearances on the comedy series
Mystery Science Theater 3000, where they became infamous for their
poor production values, repetitive plot devices, meandering and
incomprehensible storylines, and stilted acting. Some critics have
characterized Francis as being the worst director of all-time, even
suggesting that he may surpass Ed Wood in terms of ineptitude.Francis
was born in Greer County, Oklahoma in 1919. He was the son of William
F. Francis and Scytha Estes. During the Great Depression, he moved to
Texas.In the 1940s, Francis headed for Hollywood to start an acting
career. He played minor parts in several films from the late 1940s to
early 1970s, often without credit, including Blondie's Reward, Scarlet
Angel, The Girl in White, This Island Earth, She Couldn't Say No,
Twilight for the Gods, P. J. and Motorpsycho. 1958 brought his first
credited role, Stakeout on Dope Street, where he played a detective.
His last work in the film industry was in 1970, when he played a drunk
in Russ Meyer's Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.
American actor, writer, producer and director. He was best known for
his film trilogy consisting of The Beast of Yucca Flats (1961), The
Skydivers (1963) and Red Zone Cuba (1966), all three of which were
filmed in the general vicinity of Santa Clarita, California. Hallmarks
of Francis' films include preoccupation with light aircraft and
parachuting, coffee or cigarettes serving as props or centers of
conversation and vigilante-style gunning down of suspects without
trial at the films' conclusions.Francis and his films have gained a
cult status as a result of their appearances on the comedy series
Mystery Science Theater 3000, where they became infamous for their
poor production values, repetitive plot devices, meandering and
incomprehensible storylines, and stilted acting. Some critics have
characterized Francis as being the worst director of all-time, even
suggesting that he may surpass Ed Wood in terms of ineptitude.Francis
was born in Greer County, Oklahoma in 1919. He was the son of William
F. Francis and Scytha Estes. During the Great Depression, he moved to
Texas.In the 1940s, Francis headed for Hollywood to start an acting
career. He played minor parts in several films from the late 1940s to
early 1970s, often without credit, including Blondie's Reward, Scarlet
Angel, The Girl in White, This Island Earth, She Couldn't Say No,
Twilight for the Gods, P. J. and Motorpsycho. 1958 brought his first
credited role, Stakeout on Dope Street, where he played a detective.
His last work in the film industry was in 1970, when he played a drunk
in Russ Meyer's Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.
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