Garment biz exec Max L. Raab dies

Was exec producer on well-known '70s cult pics

By VARIETY STAFF

Max L. Raab, a garment biz exec who was the executive producer on well-known '70s cult pics including "A Clockwork Orange" and "Walkabout," died Feb. 21 in Philadelphia of complications related to Parkinson's disease. He was 82.

The colorful entrepreneur had a lifelong interest in the movie business, and, after launching Villager clothing and starting the early '60s preppy look, he acquired rights to John Barth's novel "End of the Road." He exec produced the 1970 pic directed by Aram Avakian, written by Terry Southern and starring Stacy Keach and James Earl Jones in their film debuts.

He then purchased the film rights to Anthony Burgess' controversial novel "A Clockwork Orange." Initially, it was turned down by all of the major studios and, because of its touchy subject matter, also by the Beatles, Raab's original casting choice. Finally, when Stanley Kubrick showed interest in the story, Warner Brothers made Raab an exec producer on the 1971 film, which was nommed for four Oscars.

Raab followed as exec producer of Nicolas Roeg's directing debut "Walkabout," which played in competition at Cannes.

Raab produced several other films including "Lion's Love" with writer and director Agnes Varda, "Hex" with Keith Carradine and the experimental "Moment to Moment," directed by Robert Downey Sr.

Born in Philadelphia, Raab served in the Army during WWII and then began working at his father's blouse company, Morgan Raab. In 1974, he returned to the apparel business and founded J.G. Hook, reintroducing the preppy style to sportswear.

After selling J.G. Hook in 1998, he returned to the film business, directing a documentary "Strut!" -- about Philadelphia's Mummers parade. He also produced the docu "Rittenhouse Square," directed by Downey Sr., who said, "Max Raab is the most inspired producer I've ever worked with and the funniest. His music choices were always impeccable."

At the time of his death, Raab and Downey Sr. were collaborating on a docu about Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya.

The erudite garmento also owned theaters and restaurants, started a small entertainment magazine, opened a classic car lot and recently launched a website selling collectible toys.

He is survived by his wife Merle, a daughter, two sons and two granddaughters.

Donations may be made to the Parkinson Council of Philadelphia .