I can’t tell you how hard it was to hear about the death of underrated director Paul Morrissey at 86. His films had such a profound effect on my life. Morrissey transformed Andy Warhol’s filmed “art” films into somewhat plotted movies filled with transvestites, junkies, hustlers and weirdos. Born Feb. 23rd, 1938 in Manhattan, his father was a Bronx lawyer and Morrissey was raised within the Catholic system which he extolled “was the best thing that ever happened to me.” He majored in English at Fordham University and was an avid fan of older German films and especially the works of Carol Reed. Introduced to artist Andy Warhol who was beginning his movie phase, Morrissey soon became indispensable in shaping the films, eventually taking over directing the films entirely.
Like Josef von Sternberg had Marlene Dietrich, Morrissey had the studly, monosyllabic, long-haired beauty Joe Dallesandro, who became his superstar. In Flesh (1968), Joe starred as a male hustler who turned tricks at the urging of his girlfriend (Geraldine Smith). His full frontal nudity was shocking at the time, as was his ambisexual nonchalance confronting leering tricks or chatty transvestites (Jackie Curtis, Candy Darling).
In Trash (1970), Joe played an East Village junkie living with the marvelously unhinged Holly Woodlawn, who constantly tries to get in his pants when she wasn’t dragging home trash. The ultra right-wing, conservative, Paul Morrissey has said: “The three dominant religions that are fashionably worshipped today- sex, drugs and rock and roll- are, I think, inherently evil and destructive to life.” But his films are subversive as they are hilarious, and while the camera grinds on impassively, there seems to be great affection for these dregs of society.
Heat (1972), landed Joe Dallesandro in Hollywood as a has-been TV star lusted after by nightmarish motel owners (Pat Ast), movie stars (the fabulous Sylvia Miles) and her unhinged daughter (Andrea Feldman). It was a riotously twisted take on Sunset Boulevard for the 1970s.
Other major works of Morrissey: the delightfully deranged Flesh for Frankenstein (1973).opulently shot in Europe. A gory 3-D ribald twist on the Mary Shelley tale with Joe Dallesandro and Udo Kier. Blood For Dracula (1973) with Udo Keir as the aristocratic bloodsucker searching for the blood of “wurgins”. Forty Deuce (1982), based on Alan Bowne’s brilliant nightmarish play about teenage male hustlers on 42nd St. starring a young Kevin Bacon. Mixed Blood (1984) a warped family drama with an astounding Marilla Pera playing the ruthless Brazilian leader of a gang of child drug dealers in the East Village. And Spike of Bensonhurst (1988) starring handsome Sasha Mitchell as an Italian boxer marrying the spoiled daughter of a mafia boss. Paul Morrissey’s darkly comic, warped, tales of misfits and crackpots were truly visionary as they were daringly original.
A great loss. I must also admit that I shamelesslylusted after Dallasandro.
Rest in peace Paul Morrissey. One of the greats. Thank you Dennis for introducing me to his films. I feel I know every frame of Trash. I loved that one so much.