DOVER, TENN. — Charles B. Pierce, an Arkansas native and independent filmmaker who made the influential 1971 film “The Legend of Boggy Creek,” died at nursing home here Friday, March 5, of undetermined causes. He was 71. MSTies know Pierce as the star, writer, director and co-producer of his 1985 followup film “The Barbaric Beast of Boggy Creek, Part II, ” which was retitled “Boggy Creek II: And the Legend Continues,” when it appeared in episode 1006.
You can read an AP story about his death here.
Here’s a piece from the area where he was living in his later years.
Thanks to Kathy for the heads up.
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Just finished watching 1006 in Mr. Pierce’s honor. What a great episode. Condolences to his family.
As a side note, and I hate to admit this, but I don’t think I ever noticed the credit to Kathleen Murphy for the use of her guitar.
I wonder how Tim is holding up…. :shock:
I always knew actors from the 1980s eps would be leaving us, but never did I think some would go this early.
Warrior of the Lost World has been struck the hardest from the 80s. With only the only remaining well-known actor from the movie, Fred Williamson, still being with us.
Lame – I actually really liked his filmography – both boggy creeks and sacred ground. I really wish I could’ve made it to his retrospective a few years back that was posted here :(
RIP Insane Hog Caller.
I’d say a quote from a Mysty movie is in order:
“Goodnight sweet prince. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
Although his death does leave unresolved which was worse in the
movie, the “humorous” outhouse bit or anything with Crenshaw in it.
(Or for that matter any display of Tim’s physique :shock: ).
A sad day indeed :cry:
Notwithstanding the insufferable, gratuitous showing of his pectorally challenged son’s nipple pods, the late, great Mr. Pierce attempted to create an adventure film aimed at 1980’s teeny-boppers with virtually no violence, gore, or nudity; and with a central theme of the preservation of nature.
Considering the venomous, life-despising celluloid vomit aimed at teenagers then and now(but that may be my age showing), I consider Boggy Creek II on all counts, a noble endeavor, even if a failed one.
From everything I’ve read, he seemed to be a very kind, likable gentleman, who always had time to talk to fans.
And if he was able to write a screenplay that impressed the likes of Clint Eastwood and created possibly the most popular movie phrase of all time, he most definitely had talent.
Rest in peace sir, and I will say prayers of comfort to your family and loved ones.
Tanya Yazzie – I will always love you
RIP Mr. Pierce. You scared me plenty as a young kid growing up in the 1970’s with the original Boggy Creek and The Town That Dreaded Sundown! Plus I’ll always have fond memories of watching “The Bootleggers” at my local drive-in as kid. You were a B-Movie legend.
The original LOBC was my first “date” movie, think i was 14 or 15 and way too busy trying to get to first base to even notice much of the movie! Sorry, Charles B and R.I.P.!
Lots of nostalgia tied to him with me. His flicks remind me of going to movies as a kid. BCII is among my fav MST3Ks because of that. Damn.
RIP Mr. Pierce. :(
I’ve never seen the original Boggy Creek, too scared as a kid when it came out. Guess I’ll have to find that one somewhere. And Town that Dreaded THE TRAILER scared the crap out of me as a youngun. Years later I finally watched and feel it may be his best film out of what I’ve seen. Second might be Winterhawk. He was genuinely trying to make a statement about Native Americans. Notice I didn’t say “an accurate statement”. :p It’s pretty good though…except for the rape scene.
I would just like to say that the postings above reinforce my view of other MST3K fans, and their humanity. Their comments about Mr. Pierce, and their genuine sadness at his passing, as well as the messages to his family, show that all the ribbing given to Mr. Pierce was good-natured and not with any ill will. Good job, everyone!
As a fellow arkansan… I am deeply sadened by this. Charles… I’ll always remember the legend…
Jacob… You are speaking for me as well. What mst3k was able to do is make me truely fall in love with these movies… Boggie creek tonight…
this is one of my favorite episodes, and I just looooove that grainy 70’s look. His movie makes me happy, :mrgreen: and therefore, I have nothing but pure respect for the man. run to the light…
R.I.P. DOC! :cry:
:cry: RIP Mr pierce, To all of u that have slammed the fact thathe was in a nursing home I have a few words for u.Stop and think if it were u. Would u want someone to care for u when ur family couldnt? Keep in mind that it could be u one day.Iam a CNA and care very much about people and their familys.And there r many more out there like me that care.My niece was one of the CNAs that cared for him and might be taking care of u one day.My regards to the family
I too watched Boggy Creek II the other day in Mr. Pierce’s honor, and I was reminded that a lot of the cinematography of the Arkansas swamps and riverlands was very nice. The movie’s opening wouldn’t be out of place in a PBS nature documentary. Pierce seemed to care about the wilderness areas in his home state, which is nice.
Nothing in my childhood terrified me more than the advertisements for The Town That Dreaded Sundown, & I honor him for that. I was for an extended period convinced that an axe-wielding hooded murderer from Texarcana whose crimes were A TRUE STORY and who had never been caught was likely to invade my bedroom at night.
I didn’t know that Charles had pasted away. I will keep his family in pray. I didn’t know him, but I do know Smokey Crabtree that was involed with Legend of Boggy Creek. I have heard alot of Smokey’s stories about filming the movie and Charles. I live just 45 miles from Fouke where they filmed the movie. RIP Charles.