Unearthing The Undead 27 - H. CRAMER RIBLETT
Cramer Riblett played a ghoul in "Night of the Living Dead". He can be seen in photos of the day-for-night shots wearing a white undershirt and dark pants, but did not end up in the final film. He got involved with the film because Richard Ricci had worked with him at the University of Pittsburgh when he was a projectionist there as a student. He also can be seen in "The Crazies", "There's Always Vanilla" and "The Liberation of Cherry Jankowksi".
Cramer was born and raised in Johnstown, Pa. His first job as a young teenager was working for the Pennsylvania Railroad as a “Call Boy”.
Later, while still in high school, he became a local volunteer fire fighter.
In 1946, upon high school graduation at age 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a PFC and was deployed to Japan with the American occupation forces.
His liberty ship survived a typhoon while crossing the pacific before arriving in Japan 6 months after WWII ended. During two years in Japan he served as a company fire chief. He visited a Japanese movie studio to observe film production and was gifted his first light meter.
Upon returning to the U.S. he used the G.I. Bill to enroll at The University of Pittsburgh majoring in English Literature. After graduating in 1952, Cramer joined the University staff as head of Audio Visual Services. He often travelled and worked with the University Chancellor in this capacity.
In the late 1950’s a close friend and former classmate introduced Cramer to Patricia Witherow, an RN working at a Pittsburgh hospital. The two married early in 1959. The couple had two sons - Charles 10/31/59 and Christian 8/11/66.
After a dozen plus years working at Pitt, Cramer left the University to join The Latent Image - a commercial film production company headed by George Romero.
While at Latent he served in many capacities as everyone working there did: AC, Cam Op, Producer, et al. His timing was fortunate. In 1967-1968 he worked as a member of the production team on Night of the Living Dead. Like everyone else involved with the film, he appeared on screen as a ghoul.
After NotLD, Cramer continued working at Latent Image mostly as producer on commercial shoots.
In the early 1970’s he left The Latent Image along with several other key members to work at New American Films. Through the 70’s working at New American he served as a production coordinator and producer on several films including : The Crazies, Jack's Wife, and There’s Always Vanilla.
The 1980’s saw Cramer go to work in the film and video post-production department at Development Dimensions International. He retired from DDI in 1994.
In addition to his family and films, Cramer's loves were the rivers, the Chesapeake Bay, the Laurel Mountains, reading, history, fine dining, country inns, brass bands, single malt scotch, photography, drawing, leather working, collecting stuff and his many dear friends.
Researched and compiled by John Vullo
Text and photos © Image Ten, Inc.
If you know of any family, friends or acquaintances that appeared as extras in the original Night of the Living Dead, please contact John Vullo at jmv3683@gmail.com
