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Paul Wendkos
★ Directing

Paul Wendkos

1925 – 2009 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · Active 1957–2026

Born in 1922 in Philadelphia, Paul Wendkos emerged as a distinctive voice in cult cinema, directing films that blend suspense and drama. His work on The Burglar (1957) showcased his innovative camera techniques, which caught the attention of major studios. Wendkos continued to explore complex narratives in Fear No Evil (1969) and Cannon for Cordoba (1970), where he deftly navigated themes of morality and conflict. His later projects, including The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975) and Special Delivery (1976), further solidified his status as a director who brought a unique flair to genre storytelling.

▶ Watch on SassyFlix 5 films available
The Burglar

The Burglar

1957 ★ 5.6
Director

Burglar Nat Harbin and his two associates set their sights on wealthy spiritualist Sister Sarah, who has inherited a fortune -- including a renowned emerald necklace -- from a Philadelphia financier. Using Nat's female ward, Gladden, to pose as an admirer and case the mansion where the woman lives, they set up a perfect break-in. Things get complicated afterwards.

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Career Highlights Top 6 by popularity · TMDB

Filmography

96 credits
Crew Credits
1990s 14 credits
1999
Different Director
Movie ★ 10.0
1998
Movie ★ 8.5
1998
Movie ★ 5.0
1997
Movie ★ 6.4
1993
Movie ★ 5.3
1993
Movie ★ 5.0
1992
Movie ★ 7.0
1991
The Chase Director
Movie ★ 4.0
1991
The Chase Producer
Movie ★ 4.0
1991
Movie ★ 7.1
1990
Movie ★ 4.2
1990
Blind Faith Director
TV ★ 6.4
1990
TV ★ 6.4
1980s 24 credits
1989
Movie ★ 6.0
1989
TV ★ 6.6
1988
Movie ★ 5.5
1987
Movie ★ 4.8
1987
Movie ★ 7.8
1987
Movie ★ 8.0
1986
Movie ★ 5.8
1986
TV ★ 8.7
1985
Movie ★ 6.1
1985
Movie ★ 5.0
1985
Movie ★ 7.3
1984
Movie ★ 6.0
1984
Celebrity Director
TV ★ 6.7
1983
Movie ★ 7.0
1983
Movie ★ 5.0
1983
Movie ★ 8.0
1982
Movie ★ 4.5
1981
Movie ★ 9.3
1981
Golden Gate Director
Movie ★ 9.0
1980
Movie ★ 5.0
1980
Movie ★ 10.0
1970s 31 credits
1979
Movie ★ 6.8
1979
Movie ★ 6.5
1978
Betrayal Director
Movie ★ 7.0
1978
TV ★ 7.0
1977
Movie ★ 4.8
1977
Movie ★ 7.0
1977
Movie ★ 7.5
1977
Secrets Director
Movie ★ 7.0
1977
TV ★ 5.2
1977
TV ★ 5.2
1976
Movie ★ 9.0
1976
Movie ★ 5.5
1975
Movie ★ 6.9
1975
Movie ★ 4.9
1974
Movie ★ 6.3
1973
Movie ★ 5.0
1973
Movie ★ 5.3
1973
Hawkins Director
TV ★ 7.8
1972
Movie ★ 5.5
1972
Movie ★ 6.3
1972
Footsteps Director
Movie ★ 6.5
1972
Movie ★ 7.0
1972
Movie ★ 9.5
1971
Movie ★ 6.0
1971
Movie ★ 7.0
1971
Movie ★ 7.3
1971
Movie ★ 5.4
1970
Movie ★ 6.0
1970
Movie ★ 5.6
1970
Hell Boats Director
Movie ★ 8.1
1960s 16 credits
1969
Movie ★ 5.4
1969
Movie ★ 6.9
1968
Movie ★ 5.4
1968
Cocoon Director
Movie ★ 8.5
1968
TV ★ 7.2
1967
TV ★ 6.8
1966
Movie ★ 7.0
1965
Honey West Director
TV ★ 7.2
1965
The F.B.I. Director
TV ★ 5.6
1963
Movie ★ 5.0
1963
Recoil Director
Movie
1962
TV ★ 6.7
1961
Movie ★ 5.0
1961
Angel Baby Director
Movie ★ 6.1
1960
Movie ★ 5.9
1950s 10 credits
1959
Gidget Director
Movie ★ 6.0
1959
Movie ★ 5.7
1959
Movie ★ 5.8
1959
TV ★ 7.3
1958
Movie ★ 6.1
1958
Movie ★ 6.8
1958
Movie ★ 8.0
1958
TV ★ 8.0
1957
Movie ★ 5.7
1957
Movie ★ 5.7