Bernard Girard: Movies & Filmography

Bernard Girard, born Bernard Goldstein on February 22, 1918, in Vallejo, California, was a multifaceted talent in the American film industry whose career spanned nearly three decades of Hollywood's evolution through its most transformative periods. A native of Solano County, Girard's early life took a significant turn toward service when he joined the United States Army Air Forces during World War II, an experience that would profoundly shape his worldview and artistic perspective before he embarked on his cinematic journey in the post-war era. Beginning his professional career in 1948, Girard quickly established himself as a versatile screenwriter, producer, and director, navigating the complex and often treacherous landscape of mid-20th century cinema with a particular focus on genre films, television productions, and socially relevant content. His contributions to the medium earned him considerable recognition within the industry, most notably a prestigious Emmy nomination at the 9th Primetime Emmy Awards for Best Public Service Series for his innovative work on You Are There, a distinguished honor that demonstrated his remarkable ability to tackle serious documentary-style content with the same dedication he brought to his commercial film work.

Throughout his active years from 1948 to 1975, Girard developed a diverse and eclectic filmography that included memorable titles such as Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round (1966), The Mad Room (1969), and The Happiness Cage (1972), each project showcasing his considerable range across psychological thrillers, crime dramas, and character-driven narratives. His directorial career was marked by both creative triumphs and professional setbacks, most notably his removal as the original director of the thriller What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice? (1969), where the formidable producer Robert Aldrich controversially replaced him with Lee H. Katzin during the production process. In one of his most fascinating later career endeavors, Girard directed the iconic rock band The Runaways in the 1979 musical production We're All Crazy Now, a project that unfortunately remained unfinished during his original tenure and was subsequently completed by director Alan Sacks, eventually seeing release as Du-beat-e-o in 1984. Girard passed away on December 30, 1997, at the age of 79 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, survived by his devoted wife Linda and their three sons, leaving behind a complex legacy in genre cinema that reflected both the creative possibilities and harsh realities of the Hollywood studio system.