The New York counter-culture and denizens of Andy Warhol’s so-called “Factory” in Manhattan, where silk-screens were mass-produced, and all kinds of art – visual, sound, and film – were discussed, where the iconic Velvet Underground came into being, and where director Paul Morrissey supposedly came to know the cast members of his films…well, this has always fascinated me. Not enough to really delve into it, or even attempt to get all of my facts straight. Penn & Teller were into it all, and that was enough for me. And Smiths frontman Morrissey was clearly a great admirer and used a photo from Andy Warhol’s/Paul Morrissey’s film Flesh for the cover of their first album.
I’ve never seen the film and have never really cared to – but when I met the film’s star Joe Dallesandro, I had him autograph that cover since it was a photo of him that was on it. I didn’t do the same when I had the chance to meet the film’s director Paul Morrissey at the Chiller Theatre show on October 27, 2012. His name alone had intrigued me since his last name was that of the Smiths’ singer.
But I didn’t really know much about his work. Apparently, he has somewhat tried to distance himself from the Warhol connection/scene, claiming his films had little to do with Warhol’s involvement as producer, and that Warhol’s celebrityhood dominated his films. I’m sure most of the films are unsettling in any case and at some point my curiosity may get the best of me and i may want to check out such avant-garde flicks as Trash, Andy Warhol’s Dracula, Chelsea Girls, or Women in Revolt. For now though, I’m happy to just meet some of the gentlemen involved in this intriguing counter-culture movement.
I plunked down the $40, which was actually a little less than I had expected to pay considering it was combined with a free photo, and had Paul Morrissey sign a simple photo of himself. I wish I had had more to say to him, or more to ask, but I do know that at some point I’ll be breathing a sigh of relief that I met him while I had the chance.
Celebrities of the Fall 2012 Chiller Theatre show will continue…
Morrissey is a truly independent filmmaker in every sense. I enjoyed the chance to speak with him briefly about, “Spike of Bensonhurst” — one of his non-Warhol films that he seemed surprised that I saw in a theatre.
If the opportunity ever presents itself, I say see “Chelsea Girls” or “Andy Warhol’s Dracula.”
Peter
June 4th, 2013