Roberta Findlay, a renowned filmmaker in the realms of adult and exploitation cinema, was born Roberta Hershkowitz in 1943 within the vibrant cityscape of New York City. As the youngest of three siblings, she grew up in a tenement apartment situated in the Bronx, surrounded by the urban rhythms of her childhood.
Findlay's parents, Hungarian immigrants, had envisioned a future for their daughter in the world of music, specifically as a pianist. Little did they know that their young daughter would eventually forge a career in the often-controversial realm of exploitation cinema.
The seeds of Findlay's cinematic journey were sown when she met her future husband, Michael Findlay, while a student at the City College of New York. Her involvement with the silent movie program Michael was running on campus led to their initial encounter, with Findlay volunteering as the accompanying pianist.
At the tender age of eighteen, Findlay married Michael, and the couple began collaborating on several exploitation features in the 1960s. The notorious "Flesh" trilogy, which they co-created, cemented their reputation as purveyors of sleazy and sadistic cinema.
However, the couple's creative partnership eventually came to an end in the early 1970s. Findlay went on to direct a select few explicit hardcore films for producer and distributor Allan Shackleton, further solidifying her status as a pioneering figure in the adult film industry.
Beyond her work as a director, Findlay also demonstrated her versatility by taking on various roles within the film industry, including editor, composer, producer, and cinematographer. Her contributions to the world of cinema were far-reaching, and her influence can still be felt today.
As the years went by, Findlay's focus shifted towards low-budget horror and grindhouse fare, and she eventually brought her directing career to a close in the mid to late 1980s.
In addition to her work in film, Findlay and her late partner, Walter E. Sear, co-founded the renowned recording studio Sear Sound in New York City, a testament to their shared passion for the arts and their enduring legacy in the world of entertainment.
