Sasquatch, the Legend of Bigfoot Followup
Posted by: Loren Coleman on February 25th, 2010
In an earlier posting, I noted that Ed Ragozzino, 79, the director of the classic film, Sasquatch, the Legend of Bigfoot (1977) had passed away on January 30, 2010, in Springfield, Oregon, near his home of Eugene.
His son has contacted me with further information he would like to share and a photograph of the film’s crew. He writes:
Ed enjoyed the interest of the film’s fans and he was proud that the film is still well-respected after all these years. He knew there’s never been another film like it. ‘Sasquatch’ was the only film he directed. He was hired because of his experience as a stage director. The producer, Ron Olson, knew Ed would be able to find local actors that would be right for their roles. Ed was a college theater professor and directed many plays. Most of the actors had previously performed in his stage productions. He decided who he wanted to cast and asked them if they wanted to be in the film. I don’t think there were any auditions. The film was shot in the summer of 1975 in super-16 and blown up to 35mm. Some stock footage of wildlife was used but most of the animal scenes were shot on location. Filming locations were in the Oregon Cascades near Bend. The final scene where the Sasquatch attacks was filmed at Todd Lake.
Caption: In the photo, Ed is in the red striped shirt. The cameraman on the left is John Fabian and on the right is Bill Farmer. In front of Bill is the producer, Ron Olson.
The actor in the top right corner, wearing the wig in the role of “Techka Blackhawk,” is Joe Morello. Can you identify any of the other cast and crew? Or name Olson’s dog?
My condolences, once again, to the Ragozzino family, plus to all his Eugene and far-flung friends.
About Loren Coleman
Loren Coleman is one of the world’s leading cryptozoologists, some say “the” leading living cryptozoologist. Certainly, he is acknowledged as the current living American researcher and writer who has most popularized cryptozoology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Starting his fieldwork and investigations in 1960, after traveling and trekking extensively in pursuit of cryptozoological mysteries, Coleman began writing to share his experiences in 1969. An honorary member of Ivan T. Sanderson’s Society for the Investigation of the Unexplained in the 1970s, Coleman has been bestowed with similar honorary memberships of the North Idaho College Cryptozoology Club in 1983, and in subsequent years, that of the British Columbia Scientific Cryptozoology Club, CryptoSafari International, and other international organizations. He was also a Life Member and Benefactor of the International Society of Cryptozoology (now-defunct).
Loren Coleman’s daily blog, as a member of the Cryptomundo Team, served as an ongoing avenue of communication for the ever-growing body of cryptozoo news from 2005 through 2013. He returned as an infrequent contributor beginning Halloween week of 2015.
Coleman is the founder in 2003, and current director of the International Cryptozoology Museum in Portland, Maine.
Just watched this again the other night… aside from some painful “comedy relief” courtesy of Barney the Cook, it’s still a solid outing in Sasquatch cinema. Very effective use of the howl/scream too! Hope someone gets a better print for home release at some point though.
🙂
Great photo and additional info. In contrast to gridbug I actually love the comic relief of Barney the cook in the movie. In that photo he sure stands out in the ‘pink’ shirt and hat.
Excellent happy shot of the cast and crew. Good stuff!
One of my favorites’ RIP