Russ Meyer's FASTER, PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL! Plus Roger Ebert on Russ, my interview with Russ! MORE!

Russ Meyer's FASTER, PUSSYCAT! KILL! KILL! Plus Roger Ebert on Russ, my interview with Russ! MORE!

Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! came out in 1965 when modern feminism was unknown and the free love era was taking off. The film bombed. But over the years women realized how revolutionary this film was



Russ Meyer, Roger Ebert And Me

The Chicago Psychotronic Film Society hosted a birthday party for Russ Meyer at the now defunct International Cinema Museum on Erie Street. Over 400 people attended, Roger Ebert did the introduction (which follows) and Michael Flores asked the questions on stage. Tony from The Green Mill was the onstage bartender, making Beefeater Gin martini’s for Russ and Mike. Debbie and Rachel from the all girl band Hot Heels brought out a birthday cake. We all sang Happy Birthday. 
Roger Ebert: Russ Meyer received his first motion picture camera at the age of 14-his mother pawned her engagement ring to get it for him. That one simple loving act would lead to a cinema career that would change Hollywood, challenge censorship in the United States and create one of America’s greatest directors. My thanks to Lydia for believing in him.

World War II began, and Russ joined the 166th Signal Photographic Corps where he filmed Generals Omar Bradley and George Patton. You can see his newsreel
footage in the 1970 film Patton. Luckily for Russ, the war also gave him the chance to lose his virginity in a brothel courtesy of Ernest Hemingway.

At the end of the war an Army buddy, Don Ortiz, suggested he shoot pin-ups for the rash of Playboy imitators flooding the country. Issues of Adam are still sought after by collectors if his photos are in the issues.

Russ Meyer’s first battle with censorship was here in Illinois with the Police Film Review Board and the first Mayor Daley in 1963 over Europe in the Raw a peepshow account of European brothels. Then came Lorna in 1964 and Florida, Maryland and Pennsylvania joined the battle against Russ. Good Morning and Goodbye opened in 1967 and Kentucky decided to arrest the projectionist. By 1968, Finders Keepers, Lovers Weepers caused Louisiana and Missouri to attack. Then came Russ Meyer’s answer to censorship—a deliberate slap in the face to the powers that be. Erica Gavin in Vixen. Busted in Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah and Wisconsin! The resulting court cases would open the door to nudity in film, and change Hollywood forever.

There is no label that fits him. He is not a cult director, because his films have usually made money. He has never been an underground filmmaker, yet hundreds from John Waters to Richard Kern have been influenced by him. He is Russ Meyer and he makes Russ Meyer movies. Continued

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