VULGAR AUTEUR RANKING: THE FILMOGRAPHY OF BOB CLARK

By: DOUGLAS REESE

Inspired by Jack Lehtonen and his push for the “vulgar auteur” canon, I would like to further demonsrate some of my favorites when it comes to actors, actresses, and directors who are, to me, underrated and/or undervalued auteurs of their craft. I will rank their filmography based on the quality of the films (which, for me, also constitutes directing), and then will give the actors five examples of films where they showcased their highest talents.

Entry #12 in this ongoing series is director BOB CLARK.

FIVE STARS
01. BLACK CHRISTMAS

FOUR STARS
02. A CHRISTMAS STORY
03. DEAD OF NIGHT

THREE STARS
04. PORKY’S
05. MURDER BY DECREE

TWO STARS
06. LOOSE CANNONS
07. RHINESTONE
08. MY SUMMER STORY
09. TURK 182!
10. TRIBUTE
11. I’LL REMEMBER APRIL

ONE STAR
12. PORKY’S II: THE NEXT DAY
13. THE KARATE DOG
14. BABY GENIUSES
15. SUPERBABIES: BABY GENIUSES2

NEVER SEEN
BREAKING POINT
CHILDREN SHOULDN’T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS
FROM THE HIP
NOW & FOREVER

An example of his auteurism…

• 01
  Black Christmas
  Bob Clark
• 02
  A Christmas Story
  Bob Clark
• 03
  Deathdream
  Bob Clark
• 04
  Porky's
  Bob Clark
• 05
  Murder by Decree
  Bob Clark
• 06
  Loose Cannons
  Bob Clark
• 07
  Rhinestone
  Bob Clark
• 08
  It Runs in the Family
  Bob Clark
• 09
  Turk 182!
  Bob Clark
• 10
  Tribute
  William Farley
• 11
  I'll Remember April
  Bob Clark
• 12
  Porky's II: The Next Day
  Bob Clark
• 13
  The Karate Dog
  Bob Clark
• 14
  Baby Geniuses
  Bob Clark
• 15
  Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2
  Bob Clark