Robert Enders, 80s, filmmaker

Producer directed Glenda Jackson in 'Stevie'

By VARIETY STAFF

Robert Enders, who directed and produced "Stevie" starring Glenda Jackson and was a partner in her production company, died Sept. 7 in Los Angeles. He was in his 80s.

"Bob opened up film and theater by putting great plays onscreen," said Jackson.

Born in Pennsylvania, he was raised in Texas and New Jersey and served in the U.S. Army.

Starting in the advertising business as a radio and television director, he set up his own company and produced live TV, industrial films and "The Best of the Post," a TV show based on the Saturday Evening Post magazine.

He produced films including "A Thunder of Drums" for MGM and "The Maltese Bippy," with "Laugh-In" stars Dick Martin and Dan Rowan.

In 1972, Enders moved to the U.K. to write and produce "Voices" with David Hemmings and Gayle Hunnicutt.

He formed Bowden Prods. with Jackson and wrote and produced Jean Genet's "The Maids" with Jackson and Susannah York.

His other credits include the screenplay for "Conduct Unbecoming" and producing Jackson's films "Hedda" and "Nasty Habits."

"Stevie," starring Jackson and Trevor Howard, garnered attention from the National Board of Review and the New York Critics Circle in 1978.

During the 1980s he co-wrote, directed and produced childrens' TV movie "The Princess and the Goblin" and adapted and exec produced a TV version of "Strange Interlude," both starring Jackson.

He was a professor at both UCLA and USC, where he taught screenwriting.

Enders is survived by his wife, Estelle, a brother, four children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.