Background
Crain was born in Columbus, Ohio.
Crain was born in Columbus, Ohio.
University of California, Los Los Angeles University of California, Los Angeles School of Theater, Film and Television.
A graduate of University of California, Los Angeles"s film school, Crain, unlike many of the so-called "Los Angeles Rebellion" filmmakers who made films of a deeply personal or political nature, made work consisting almost entirely of mainstream and genre driven works. Throughout the 1970s he directed television shows and movies. In 1972, he directed Blacula.
While largely ignored by critics, the film has become somewhat of a cult favorite and made a name for actor William Marshall who played the title character.
Crain did other films, then returned to television show installments which he continues to do today. Many sources confuse him with another Bill/William Crain who produced educational short films in the 70s, and directed Mirage (1990) and Midnight Fear (1991).