Paul Leder

Actor turned director Paul Leder made independent films during the '70s, '80s, and '90s. As was and is true of many indie directors, Leder primarily dealt with exploitation films made on a shoestring budget with titles such as I Dismember Mama (1972), My Friends Need Killing (1978), and Murder By Numbers (1989). Leder launched his career singing through radio on The Molly Goldberg Show. During WWII, Leder was an army medic who served under General Patton and helped those who survived Buchenwald. After the war, Leder hit Broadway, singing and dancing opposite Phil Silvers in Top Banana. More shows followed. He made his feature film debut as an actor in The Grass Eater (1961), which he also produced. Leder made his first directorial effort in the dismal comedy The Marigold Man (1970). His last film was the black comedy The Wacky Adventures of Dr. Boris and Nurse Shirley (1995). In addition to his film work, Leder also wrote and directed plays in Los Angeles. Leder died of lung cancer on April 8, 1996.

~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide