Mary Lambert directed several of Madonna's most iconic music videos during the 1980s, contributing significantly to the singer's visual identity and artistic evolution.
[3] The video, which juxtaposed colorful scenes in the barrio with black-and-white shots in a photography studio, tells the story of a young woman torn between her Hispanic boyfriend and a British photographer.
The video, featuring Madonna in a gondola and wearing a wedding dress, incorporated symbolic imagery such as a lion, reflecting Lambert's vision of combining fantasy and reality.
Lambert's direction of "La Isla Bonita" (1987) featured Madonna portraying both a devout Catholic woman and a vibrant Flamenco dancer, exploring Latin influences and religious symbolism.
Lambert aimed to explore themes of sexual and religious ecstasy, sparking widespread debate and cementing Madonna's reputation as a provocative artist.
His presence loomed over the set, with Lambert and Oreck recalling how he angrily demanded $1 million in liability insurance before allowing Janet to sit on a trapeze used in the video.
Lambert told the record company representative that she absolutely could not go on due to the potential for violence, and he went out and explained things to the crowd, which calmed down enough to complete the video.
[14] Mötley Crüe: She directed the video for "Smokin' in the Boys Room," depicting a rebellious high school scenario, aligning with the band's hard rock image.
[15] Queensrÿche: Lambert directed the video for "The Lady Wore Black," featuring the band's performance interspersed with thematic imagery, complementing the song's dark tones.
Starring Dale Midkiff, Denise Crosby, Blaze Berdahl, Fred Gwynne, and Miko Hughes as Gage Creed, the film's title uses a sensational spelling of "pet cemetery".
She insisted on casting two-year-old Miko Hughes as Gage Creed, despite the studio's preference for using twins, which was the standard cost-effective practice for child roles.
[26] She also fought to cast Fred Gwynne as Jud Crandall, despite concerns that his previous role as Herman Munster would prevent audiences from taking him seriously.
Initially, young actresses auditioned for the role, but Lambert ultimately cast Andrew Hubatsek in order to heighten the unsettling nature of the character.
Lambert originally filmed a more ambiguous ending, in which Rachel Creed returns as an undead figure, leaving her husband's fate uncertain.
Lambert, having a personal friendship with the band through her work directing music videos, requested they write and perform the track "Pet Sematary," which plays over the closing credits.