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| Peter Carpenter in BLOOD MANIA (1970) |
Peter Carpenter was a young-ish actor who starred in two exploitation classics—Blood Mania (1970) and Point of Terror (1971)—before vanishing from the face of the earth—leaving behind very few hard facts in regard to his life and death.
"Whatever happened to Peter Carpenter?" I often wonder.
"Whatever happened to Peter Carpenter?" I often wonder.
Well, not that often. But every now and then, I check in with my sources to find out if any new light has been shed on this enigmatic, obscure star of yesteryear.
***UPDATE***
More progress has been made on solving the Peter Carpenter mystery!
CLICK HERE to read Part II!
If Peter Carpenter is famous for anything, it's for very obviously self-financing vanity productions in which he wears tight pants, sometimes sings, and bangs every broad in site. Yet, instead of wanting to punch this guy in the face, I wanna get drunk with him. He was like a stoic, square-jawed 1970's Tommy Wiseau with cuter hair and a somewhat better grasp of the English language.
Before the stellar one-two punch of his self-produced Crown International starring vehicles, he cut his teeth in two sexploitation "classics"—Russ Meyer's well-known, fairly respected Vixen! (1968), and the lesser-known, but not-entirely-skippable Love Me Like I Do (1970). He didn't do much in the way of acting in these films—but, in both, he did show a natural predilection for portraying a horny, muscular man who will stop at nothing to get laid. Peter Carpenter's actual birthdate is the stuff of legend, but he must've been an Aries or a Virgo. I'd stake my life on it. Or, you know, a few bucks.  |
| Peter Carpenter and Erica Gavin in VIXEN! (1968) |
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| Peter Carpenter and Lynn Gordon in LOVE ME LIKE I DO (1970) |
So rare is any biographical info about this guy that I nearly crapped my pants to discover a vintage, honest-to-God, local-boy-makes-good spotlight piece, originally run by his hometown paper to coincide with the local premiere of Blood Mania. It would seem that Peter wasn't satisfied with merely showing up to bang a broad in a low-budget movie. His dream was to star in his own series of low-budget movies in which he bangs several. And sings! And acts! And dagnabbit, come hell or high water, he was gonna make this happen!
Friday, January 22, 1971
Oaklander Peter Carpenter got his acting start and his producing inspiration from another Oakland show business promoter Russ Meyer. The similarity ends there.
The handsome young actor whose family, the Pasqua [sic] Corbellis, still live in the East Bay, is very honest and direct about his three and a half years of good luck that propelled him from the slack-making business to actor-writer-producer of four films. His first, Blood Mania, opens in the Bay Area next Wednesday.
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| Peter Carpenter in BLOOD MANIA (1970) |
"A girl friend of mine was being auditioned by Meyer for his film Vixen and he noticed me standing with her in a photo. When he asked if I was an actor, she said yes, although I'd never acted in my life, never studied acting or even though about it. I got a role in this film but she didn't. That's how I got into the business."
Unlike the good old days of Hollywood when studios searched for new faces and then groomed them for stardom, there is neither money, interest, nor many studios anymore. So Carpenter figured he'd made his first and last film unless he set about to make himself into a star.
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| CROWN INTERNATIONAL Double Feature |
During Vixen he got an idea for a story in which he would play the lead. He sat on the sidelines during shooting and made friends with the camera crew, telling them of his idea and asking their support. With Chris Marconi, he wrote Blood Mania and formed Jude Productions Company.
"St. Jude, saint of the impossible was my confirmation name and going into business with only $10 to my name seemed impossible. But all my friends and family had faith in me and put their savings into my film. We shot it inside Jack Warner's old house and in the downstairs apartment where Bette Davis used to stay."
"I'd always admired Alfred Hitchcock pictures, the talent he has for springing the unexpected on his audience. All I knew about filmmaking was from working with Meyer. But instead of just sex and violence, added a good suspense story, good acting and direction. We've done great business everywhere it's played so far. So I guess the formula works as entertainment."
"When I'd finished shooting, I didn't know how to get distribution, but figured I could market my film like I did the slacks. I packed up the color slides and a portable projector and went around knocking on doors."
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| With Dyanne Thorne in POINT OF TERROR (1971) |
His second feature, just completed, is Point of Terror, with a third due to begin in March, Middle of Midnite. Number Four will not be a suspense shocker, but a romantic Mexico setting based on a legend called Legend of Volcanos.
While he continues to star in his own films, a major studio offer has been made for him to star opposite Michael J. Pollard in Warner Bros' Dirty Billy. Blood Mania costar Maria de Aragon steps into a major role in "Cages" because of Shelley Winters' favorable impression of her performance.
"The industry is in bad shape. The people in Hollywood don't care about films. They're only worried about lining their pockets," he said.
I did some digging, and found information about an East Bay family descended from one Pasquale Corbelli. I couldn't find anything directly identifying who Peter Carpenter was. I did, however, find this guy.
He's an in-law to the Corbelli family, and he kinda remotely resembles Peter Carpenter in his youth. Maybe he's his father, or an uncle?
Adding to Carpenter's ego-mystique is this puff-piece bio that Crown International included in the Blood Mania press book.
Peter Carpenter Brings New Magnetism to Screen
Peter Carpenter, toplining Crown International’s Blood Mania which currently is screening at [the Theatre], brings a special brand of magnetism to the screen and has critics hailing him as the next big star.
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| With Reagan Wilson in BLOOD MANIA (1970) |
His brooding, dark looks are inherited from his Italian and Spanish ancestors and that, plus his 6-3 height, have made it difficult for him to get supporting roles in movies. Who can blame less vigorous stars for not welcoming that kind of competition? Realizing this, Carpenter decided to become a business man, so he took an idea for a film to Chris Marconi, with himself in mind as the star. A deal was made, the duo formed their own production company. Now Peter won’t have to worry about stellar roles—only about finding good scripts to make.
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| With Maria de Aragon in BLOOD MANIA (1970) |
In Blood Mania he plays the role of a young medic haunted by a questionable past, entrapped in a hopeless present by jealously, blackmail, finally murder.
The intensity which bounces back from the screen is reflected in other facets of his life as well: his friends know he becomes an authority on any subject into which he delves, as witness geography, rock music.
Starring with Carpenter in Blood Mania are Maria de Aragon, Vicki Peters, Reagan Wilson, and Eric Allison. Camera work by Bob Maxwell and Gary Graver creates beauty, heightens suspense in this film which has one of the most nerve-shattering endings ever screened.
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| "Peter Carpenter brings new magnetism to the screen..." |
I love the way Crown International touted the ending to Blood Mania. I've seen the movie four times, and I still can't tell you how it ends. I also love that Peter Carpenter couldn't get roles because other actors weren't "vigorous" enough to compete with his Spanish-Italian, six-foot-three sexiness. This guy, I swear.
But back to that San Mateo Times article: Middle of Midnite, Legend of Volcanos, Michael J. Pollard whaaaat?
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| The Mysterious Peter Carpenter (birth and death date unknown) |
There is absolutely little-to-no verifiable information available about Peter Carpenter's death. IMDB lists him as having died from a 'massive cerebral hemorrhage' in 'December 1971' in 'Malibu, California.' On the Point of Terror DVD from Scorpion Releasing, there's an added value segment entitled "Remembering Peter Carpenter" in which his friend, acting teacher, and co-star Leslie Simms vaguely recollects that he died of pneumonia sometime in the late 1970's/early 1980's. Also that his real name was "Page" or "Paige," and he artificially curled his hair.
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| Peter Carpenter and Dyanne Thorne in POINT OF TERROR (1971) |
If Peter Carpenter did have two more self-produced pics in the pipeline, as well as a potential gig in Dirty Little Billy (1972), then it would make sense that he died in the early, early 1970's, since they never came to fruition. The legendary Dyanne Thorne (his co-star from Point of Terror) has also said in interviews that she believes he died sometime in 1971.
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| Weirdly prophetic, spooky-shirtless-selfie illustration of Peter Carpenter from the "thrilling conclusion" of BLOOD MANIA (1970) |
I guess we'll never know. No, fuck that. I hate unsolved mysteries. The public will eventually find out.
***UPDATE***
More progress has been made on solving the Peter Carpenter mystery!
CLICK HERE to read Part II!
Thanks, Eerie, for the work. I wonder if the timeliness of this site item coincides with the fact that Peter Carpenter's work is showing up in multi-movie DVDs and discount bins. For me, 'Point of Terror' prompted the question you raise. As you discovered, there isn't much on Carpenter's career, IMDB or otherwise. Given his background, his abrupt, uncertain death raises some intriguing questions. And the fact that they arise now and not then says something itself about our focus as opposed the theirs.
ReplyDeleteI've always been fascinated by the combination of obscure and ubiquitous. There are plenty of genre films that've been in circulation since they came out, and now we know everything about them thanks to the internet and DVD supplementals, etc. Then there's random old flicks that died on Beta and VHS and we never heard from them again. THEN there's movies like BLOOD MANIA and POINT OF TERROR, which simply refuse to die. And that begs the question: if these films are still around and being watched, how can we still know practically nothing about the star?
DeleteThanks for your reply.
Am glad the creators of Blood Mania & Point Of Terror films decided to update these two Peter Carpenter films onto Blu Ray DVD format along with updated special features.
Deleteregarding Peter Carpenter and the name Corbelli, I emailed the SF Public Library for the obituary for Pasquale hoping there would be a mention of Peter (or his real name) but there was no mention of a son, only Joesphine and the late Frances. Mike Perkins, librarian at IndyPL
ReplyDeleteThanks for the detective work. He was probably his grandson, or perhaps a great-nephew or something.
DeleteI just caught Point of Terror on one of those Roku channels that shows B movies, and once I finally figured out what it was (it helps that around the middle of the film Dyanne Thorne actually spells out the last name of Carpenter's character at one point) I went straight to the IMDb boards, which then led me here. Great writeup! I'm glad I'm not the only one who puzzles over actors who disappear.
ReplyDeleteOn my 2006 Region-Free RetroFLICKS (long defunct) NTSC DVD-R of 'Point of Terror' (tagline: "The Outer Limit of Fear"), there's absolutely no info on Peter Carpenter. Strangely enough, they state 1967 as year of release (or making). Also, on IMDb it now says Deember 1971 as date of his death.
ReplyDelete/JÖrg Ausfelt, Sweden
Here's a poster from Crown International:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.crownintlpictures.com/posters/pointofterror.jpg
Love peter carpenter rip gone too soon. Remains a mystery to this day. I think he had great promise. I saw both films as a teen early 70s and am proud to say that I have blood mania and point of terror DVDs.
ReplyDeleteRobyn Heavner, concurred ;).
DeleteAppreciate that you took the time to appreciate the existence of actor, Peter Carpenter. His departure has left me bedazzled. His voice and screen presence were very talented and gifted. He appeared to start off with a good beginning in cinema. There are a few more films of Pete's that I haven't viewed yet such as Vixen. As for me, I do miss what he could've gained and continued to give us viewers with his performances. Heavenly Parents bless Peter Carpenter :) <3 ;).
ReplyDeleteRuss Meyer starlet Erica Gavin just posted an interview she did on her FaceBook page, maybe you should drop her a line and ask her if she maybe knows whatever happened to Peter, sounds like she was pretty close with him!
ReplyDelete"IJ - The late Peter Carpenter, who starred in Blood Mania and Point Of Terror, also shows up in Vixen as The Mountie. Did you interact much with him and have you got any stories? Did he sing on set?
EG - I never heard him sing. I first met Peter Carpenter long before Vixen. He was living with this girl, “Babydoll”. She was working with me Haji, Tura, and Bebe at the Losers. So, I knew Peter's girlfriend first. One night we went over to her apartment after work and there was Peter (along with his two cousins, one of which, Manny, who over time became my dearest and best friend for over 40 years). I had no idea that Peter was going to end up being in Vixen with me. Was it a predestined thing, meeting these people who would come to be involved with Russ Meyer? As the years went by I'd be at family get-togethers, birthdays and holidays with Manny and Peter, being Manny's cousin (“Peche” they called him), would be there as well. So Peter remained very much a part of my personal world for many years after the making of Vixen."
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Unknown, appreciate your stories of Peter " Paige " Carpenter. He is a one of a kind thespian of film. Very gifted and talented.
DeleteGreat info on a good looking actor from the golden days of b movie's. Eric hudson
ReplyDeletePeter J. Ceremello is my great-uncle. How is he related to the Corbelli family? I found your image using Google image search while looking for more info on the ceremello's.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could remember now how I made that connection. I think he married a woman who was descended from the Corbellis.
DeleteHi Mike Justice and Stella, Peter Ceremello married Evelyn Corbelli March 30 1927. A 1971 newspaper story says Peter Carpenter is part of the Pasqua (Pasquale?) Corbelli family. Mike Perkins, Indianapolis librarian/genealogy guy.
DeleteStella, Peter Ceremello married Evelyn Corbelli. Peter Carpenter's real first name was Page according to Blood Mania DVD commentary. Mike Perkins, Indianapolis librarian/genealogy guy. Can Mike Justice see this also?
DeleteStella according to Ancestry.com Peter Ceremello married Evelyn Corbelli March 30 1927. There is a newspaper story from 1971 that Oaklander Peter Carpenter is part of the Pasqua (sic) Corbelli family. Mike Perkins, Indianapolis librarian/genealogy guy.
ReplyDeleteI knew him as Joe Carpenter, when he was stationed in Alaska in the early 60s. I was part of a dance trio with Joe, and Jean Shirley in 1964/65. We all worked teaching ballroom dancing for Betty Romankiw. Joe also worked part time for Rose Golik, Betty's sister, who owned a large wholesale company in Anchorage and was Anchorage's "official greeter" for years.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, appreciate your sharing this fact about Peter. Is it true what co-star, Leslie Simms mentioned Peter's real first name was, Page ?
Deleteregarding "I knew him as Joe" did he ever mention family names of his father or mother or any family members? Thank you for any details Anonymous. Mike Perkins Indianapolis Librarian IndyPL
DeleteMike, I don't remember any mention of family - he did date several girls here, one was Paula Lemon. I don't know what happened to her. I know he danced at the Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles before he came to Alaska. He was well liked by the ladies when we danced in the trio at the Mermaid Room in Anchorage. This would be around 1964.
DeleteTear scene when Tony talks with Sally appears to be convincing. Awhile after Point Of Terror movie is released in box office theaters, Peter Carpenter dies. He was a good multi talented performer.
ReplyDeleteYes Peter Carpenter first name was.Paige. Leslie Simms interview from Point of Terror dvd.
ReplyDeleteThe movie came out in the late 60s, early 70s? I knew him as Joe Carpenter in 1964-65 while he was stationed in Alaska with the air force.
DeleteRobyn Heavener, much obliged for your confirmation of Peter Carpenter's real first name of Paige.
Deletefrom Mike Perkins to Mike Justice and all above, I believe I have solved the question of the birth and death years of actor Peter Carpenter thanks to Ancestry, Fold3 and the hint above about his name being Joe and being in the Air Force. I have posted my findings at this flickr page:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.flickr.com/photos/99253243@N00/with/50156830306/
and still investigating.
Let me know what you think to mikepisom@yahoo.com
Thanks, Mike! I think that's definitely him. Although it asks more questions than it answers. Like, for instance, why did everyone think he died in the 70s?
DeleteMike Perkins, much obliged for your flickr link. Must one be logged in to their flickr account for your link to be viewed ?
DeleteVery interesting. I wonder if the AF records show him stationed at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, Alaska in the early 60s.
DeleteDid he just drop out of sight? The thing is, he seemed to have so much ambition in his 30's. What happened? There's a story here.
ReplyDeleteIt would appear that he faked his death, or at the very least was perfectly okay with everyone believing he was dead. I wonder why? Maybe he ran afoul of some shady types in the industry and needed to drop out of sight permanently after that.
Deletehttp://ascreaminthestreets.blogspot.com/2021/02/peter-carpenter-actor-death.html
DeleteMike Justice, if he is alive. It'd be great if he updated us fans.
ReplyDeleteiMDB says he died in 1996. But in the biography also that it was in the early 1970's.
ReplyDeleteIt turns out he did die in 1996. The whole thing about him dying in the early 70s was either an urban legend, him faking his death, him leading everyone to believe he'd died when he hadn't, or a mixture of all of the above.
Deletehttp://ascreaminthestreets.blogspot.com/2021/02/peter-carpenter-actor-death.html
DeleteMike Justice, where did you discover the truth about Peter Carpenter's life after Point Of Terror leading up to his actual death in 1996. I'd like to read it too.
ReplyDeletehttp://ascreaminthestreets.blogspot.com/2021/02/peter-carpenter-actor-death.html
DeleteGood, accurate research. I am the Anonymous (Alaska) quoted in this latest article. Joe had a daughter named Dominique from the marriage mentioned; he said he married to give the baby his name.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the info. I was initially shocked to find out Carpenter lived on in Los Angeles for another 25 years after everyone thought he died—but then I had to laugh because it makes perfect sense. People in LA are so oblivious.
DeleteThat is honorable of Peter to acknowledge his daughter through marriage and give her his last name.
Delete