Richard Ashe

Director

Active: 1976-1976

About Richard Ashe

Richard Ashe is an extremely obscure American filmmaker whose entire known directorial output consists of the 1976 low-budget horror film 'Track of the Moon Beast.' Very little biographical information exists about Ashe, who appears to have been a one-time director working outside the mainstream Hollywood system. His sole film credit suggests he may have been involved in regional or independent filmmaking during the mid-1970s, a period when low-budget genre films were being produced outside the major studio system. The lack of any other film credits or industry presence indicates that directing may have been a brief venture rather than a sustained career. 'Track of the Moon Beast' itself has become something of a cult curiosity among bad movie enthusiasts, though it brought no significant attention to its director during its initial release. Ashe's disappearance from the film industry after this single project remains one of the many mysteries surrounding this enigmatic filmmaker.

The Craft

Behind the Camera

Based on his only known work, Ashe's directing style appears to be characteristic of low-budget 1970s genre filmmaking, with minimal resources and practical effects. The film exhibits the raw, unpolished aesthetic typical of regional independent productions of the era.

Milestones

  • Directed 'Track of the Moon Beast' (1976)

Best Known For

Must-See Films

  • Track of the Moon Beast (1976)

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

Richard Ashe's cultural impact is virtually nonexistent beyond the cult following that 'Track of the Moon Beast' has developed among bad movie enthusiasts. The film itself is remembered more as an example of 1970s low-budget horror filmmaking than for any artistic merit, and Ashe's name remains unknown even to most genre film aficionados.

Lasting Legacy

Richard Ashe's legacy is that of an enigmatic one-film director whose work has survived primarily as a curiosity item. His sole directorial effort has gained a minor cult status through its inclusion in bad movie discussions and MST3K-style mockery, though this recognition has done little to illuminate anything about Ashe himself as a filmmaker or individual.

Who They Inspired

Given his obscurity and single film output, Richard Ashe appears to have had no discernible influence on other filmmakers or the film industry at large. His work represents the type of regional independent filmmaking that was common in the 1970s but rarely left any lasting impact on cinema.

Off Screen

Virtually no personal information about Richard Ashe is publicly available. His extreme obscurity and single film credit suggest he may have pursued filmmaking as a brief venture rather than a lifelong career, or possibly worked under different names in other capacities within or outside the film industry.

Did You Know?

  • Richard Ashe has only one known directorial credit to his name
  • 'Track of the Moon Beast' was filmed in New Mexico
  • The film's budget was estimated to be under $100,000
  • Ashe has no other known credits in any film industry capacity
  • The film has developed a cult following among bad movie enthusiasts
  • No interviews or biographical information about Ashe appear to exist
  • The film was featured on Rifftrax, bringing some posthumous attention to Ashe's work

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Richard Ashe?

Richard Ashe was an American filmmaker known solely for directing the 1976 low-budget horror film 'Track of the Moon Beast.' He appears to have had no other film industry credits and remains an enigmatic figure in cinema history.

What films is Richard Ashe best known for?

Richard Ashe is known for only one film: 'Track of the Moon Beast' (1976), a low-budget horror/sci-fi film that has since developed a cult following among bad movie enthusiasts.

When was Richard Ashe born and when did he die?

Richard Ashe's birth and death dates are unknown, as virtually no biographical information exists about this obscure filmmaker beyond his single film credit.

What awards did Richard Ashe win?

Richard Ashe received no known awards or nominations for his filmmaking work, which consisted of a single low-budget film that received no critical recognition upon its release.

What was Richard Ashe's directing style?

Based on his only known work, Ashe's directing style appears to be characteristic of 1970s low-budget independent filmmaking, featuring raw aesthetics, minimal resources, and practical effects typical of regional genre productions of the era.

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Films

1 film