Tom DeSimone, the director whose career spanned underground adult features, celebrated genre B-movies, and episodic television, died on October 17 in Cathedral City, California. He was 87 years old. His brother, Bob DeSimone, confirmed the filmmaker's passing and shared that he chose a medically assisted end of life following a terminal cancer diagnosis.
Born in Revere, Massachusetts, and raised in the communities of Newton and Weston, DeSimone pursued higher education in filmmaking on the West Coast. He earned a master's degree in film from UCLA, subsequently making his directorial debut with the low-budget 1968 adventure feature "Terror in the Jungle." Following this initial effort, DeSimone established a extensive presence in adult cinema throughout the 1970s. Working frequently under aliases, including the pseudonym Lancer Brooks, his early filmography included adult projects such as "Lust in the Afternoon," "Gay Guide to Hawaii," and "Prison Girls."
Selected Film and Television Directing Credits of Tom DeSimone
| Title | Format | Release / Broadcast Period | Notable Details / Cast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terror in the Jungle | Feature Film | 1968 | Low-budget adventure film |
| Chatterbox | Feature Film | 1977 | Starring Candice Rialson |
| Hell Night | Feature Film | 1981 | Starring Linda Blair |
| Concrete Jungle | Feature Film | 1982 | Starring Jill St. John and Tracey E. Bregman |
| Reform School Girls | Feature Film | 1986 | Cult women-behind-bars film |
| Freddy's Nightmares | Television Series | Late 1980s | Directed four episodes |
| Acapulco Bay | Television Series | 1995 | Directed all episodes |
Transition to Mainstream Genre Features and Cult Success
DeSimone gained wider attention outside the adult film sector in 1977 with the high-concept comedy "Chatterbox." Starring Candice Rialson, the movie tells the story of Penny, a beautician who discovers that her body part possesses a voice of its own and speaks out at highly inconvenient moments. The unconventional premise cemented the film's reputation as a memorable oddity in 1970s independent cinema.
His mainstream output expanded significantly during the 1980s, particularly within the horror, thriller, and exploitation spaces. DeSimone directed the 1981 horror entry "Hell Night," which starred Linda Blair. He later teamed up with Blair once again for the revenge thriller "Savage Streets." Although DeSimone departed "Savage Streets" prior to completion, he moved straight into another genre franchise installment, directing "Angel III: The Final Chapter."
The Women-in-Prison Genre and Television Career
DeSimone also left an indelible mark on the women-in-prison exploitation style. He directed "Concrete Jungle," which featured a cast including Jill St. John and Tracey E. Bregman. In 1986, he delivered what became one of his best-known features, the camp classic "Reform School Girls." The picture achieved enduring cult popularity among genre enthusiasts for its heightened style and homage to vintage institutional exploitation cinema.
As the decade progressed, DeSimone adapted his skills to the episodic television landscape. He directed four installments of the horror anthology series "Freddy's Nightmares" in the late 1980s. His directorial work across the small screen continued across a variety of genres throughout the 1990s.
Television Portfolios and Surviving Family
DeSimone's television resume grew to encompass live-action genre series, syndicated action shows, and serialized daytime drama. Among his credits were episodes of "Swamp Thing," "Super Force," "Dark Justice," and "The Big Easy." He also served as the director for every episode of the soap opera "Acapulco Bay."
DeSimone is survived by his brother Bob, sister-in-law Lisa DeSimone, nieces Amanda and Gianna DeSimone, and grandnephew Ori DeSimone. His body of work across independent and cult cinema remains documented through home video releases and retrospective genre film screenings.
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Source: Variety
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