In Memory & In Honor Of Lee Gambin

I was set to launch my first post for a new feature entitled "Let's Get Physical Media," in which I highlight some new Blu-Ray titles each month. First, let's talk about a major inspiration.

Initially, my newsletter was just going to only be nothing but writing about favorite films and songs, but my ADHD-riddled brain said, nope! There’s more work to put out there, including new movie reviews, guest contributions and now a brand-new feature entitled “Let’s Get Physical Media!”

As I put out my 50th post, I began to archive a lot of what’s been done so far. Then on the train ride into work, I received some very sad news. As you can see, the logo was already set in stone but now there’s an addendum below it. This is not the first entry for this new project. It’s a tribute. Before I actually post and publish about physical media, I’d be remissed in not elaborating further on a major loss that the film community is still processing.

Lee Gambin passed away suddenly, and many tributes began to pour out throughout the day today. So many accomplished film writers, podcasters, commentators, critics wrote beautiful words of remembrance. A lot of them, including myself, never met Lee in person, unfortunately. Many others did and will undoubtedly have great stories. He felt like a long-distance friend to any and all who were blessed to come into contact with his vivacious spirit.

I’ll admit to not knowing much about him until Bill Ackerman’s Supporting Characters podcast came out, introducing me to a lot of incredible talent. Lee Gambin mentioned early in the episode how he saw Jaws II before the original and that endeared me to him, solidifying my interest in his future work. Not to mention the fact that he wrote an entire book on the first John Carpenter film I loved when I was young, Christine.

The fact that I bring up Jaws II and Christine is pretty obvious. Keith Gordon has been on my podcast and had many conversations with Lee too mostly about the film Christine since Lee wrote an entire book about that film. Most of my talks were done through email especially during the time when I wrote a few essays about “Very Special Episodes” of television that I grew up with. He wanted to publish two of them but only one made the final cut. It was likely due to the fact that I became personal with my analysis of a particular Family Ties episode in which the father suffers a major heart attack. I am honored that I am a part of a compilation that he published. The book itself is even a part of the Chicago Public Library collection, hopefully forever.

Bill once told me that Lee thought fondly of my writing. Lee wrote to me saying, “don’t stop writing, you’re good at it.” Simple, succinct and sweet. I think I’m good at expressing positive feelings about film and promoting the work of others. I get the impression that Lee did that for so many others too. It’s clear that folks who have contributed to boutique labels and Blu-Rays over the years had a strong connection, citing him as a kind, supportive person.

My first instinct (much like I did when losing Sergio Mims) was to track down every article, every commentary track, every contribution made. That seems near impossible with how much Lee accomplished in his lifetime. It’s hard not to think of those we have lost too soon, including Sergio and Mike McPadden and Travis Crawford, all of which have appeared on Supporting Characters. I think of the fact that their interviews, their voices will never go away - they are preserved, archived and ready for anyone to revisit at any given time. Focus on the positive: a lot of the people we have connected to over the years have a lot in their resumes that they have shared. They’re not truly gone. The work they’ve shared, their love of film, the sound of their voices, still with us.

Lee’s love of physical media was apparent. There are so many titles he talked about and contributed to that I’m itching to discover. Facebook posts always indicated how much he found it to be vital as a film historian and writer. He wrote with opinionated abandon and always commented back. Every once in a while, we would email about an episode of television we recall from way back. You could sense his generosity, his fanaticism, that really big, kind heart.

Lee was only in his 30s but had already written for numerous publications (including over a decade for Fangoria), written plays and musicals, founded the Cinemaniacs film collective, published fanzines, written a few books. I remember getting along with him almost immediately, he was an animated raconteur, it was easy to see how he could be a sort of ringleader figure within Melbourne film culture. Lee connected me with plenty of wonderful writers who became new friends, some of whom I interviewed as well, and generously connecting likeminded people was one of the qualities I admired most about him. - Bill Ackerman

Again, it’s really hard to sit down and write about physical media and not think of Lee’s talent and incredible work over the years. But he supported my work in a way I didn’t think would ever lead to publication. He gave me a shot, believed in my writing and let my ramblings have a place in his collection. Thank you, Lee. For being you. For giving so many others like me, a voice.

Lee was a true-blue dedicated supporter of cult cinema, an archivist, a music fan and puppy dad to his wolf, Buddy. A sincere champion of cinema and physical media and just incredibly selfless in every way. It is still hard to believe he has left us all so soon. Who knows how many more contributions we would’ve been blessed to experience and share with the world. But he has left us so much and for that, the film community is eternally grateful. The tributes will keep pouring in and we will all do our best to keep his spirit alive. He is an inspiration to anyone who loves cinema, their Blu-Ray collection, books about pop culture and much more that I’m probably not privy to yet. I can only hope that Sergio, Travis, Mike and now Lee, are all hanging together and getting to nerd out about the art form they all truly loved and cherished.

Celebrate his brilliant mind and many accomplishments by listening to his interview with Bill Ackerman on Episode 24 of Supporting Characters here.

Episode 24: Lee Gambin