Biography

Richard Ron Cramer (May 5, 1957 – June 29, 2021) was an American film producer, film director, screenwriter, artist and composer.

Born in Bismarck, North Dakota, Cramer lived and work in Denver, Colorado. During the 1980s he produced watercolor paintings, video installations and played guitar in several rock bands, most notably Alarming Trends, the subject and title of his first film (1987). Cramer's musical compositions included an award-winning score for the Fritz Lang sci-fi classic Metropolis (1927 film). As a director, Cramer gained national attention with his film Even Hitler Had a Girlfriend, a 1991 black comedy which was named "Best Drive-In Movie of the Year" by cult critic Joe Bob Briggs.

Cramer's first documentary film was Highway Amazon (2001), which told the story of Christine Fetzer, a female body builder who travels the country wrestling men in hotel rooms. The film was named Best Documentary at the Humboldt Film Festival and won other similar awards. Cramer's multimedia piece Pillow Girl combined traditional film techniques with pulp imagery and experimental music. It was screened at over 150 film festivals worldwide and was named "Best Experimental Work" at several events, including the Miami Short Film Festival, the Route 66 Film Festival, and the Big Muddy Film Festival at Southern Illinois University. Cramer's other work includes the experimental films Cantata in C Major, Mugs, Sixty in 60, September Sketch Book, and Icons.Cramer died in Denver on June 29, 2021; he was 64. He was survived by his mother, wife, and children. No service was held.