So how did a newcomer like Peter Bogdanovich manage to convince Roger Corman to let him make this film? After a chance meeting, Corman expressed his interest in Bogdanovich after reading one of his published essays. Corman told the young director that he could make any film he wanted, with two stipulations: he had to use Boris Karloff for a couple days, as the actor had that much time left in his contract with Corman; the second was that Bogdanovich had to somehow incorporate footage from Corman’s 1963 film The Terror, also starring Karloff. While some filmmakers might consider these guidelines restrictive, Bogdanovich used them as a sort of creative kindling which inspired a truly original production. With Corman’s blessing, Karloff’s approval and fervent support and uncredited and free advice from director Samuel Fuller on both the screenplay and how to responsibly budget, Bogdanovich couldn’t have asked for a better directorial debut.
