R.I.P. Russ Meyer
This actually hit me. A little known fact about Alex Justinger is that I looked up to Russ Meyer.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000540/
For those who are wondering whom the hell I'm talking about, Russ Meyer was an exploitation filmmaker. He was known for his "T&A" flicks. He did such classics like "Faster Pussycat Kill! Kill! Kill!" Now, I'll admit, after seeing it, I wasn't dropping to my knees and praying too him. The movie was God-awful, but I admired it. I wasn't the only one who was intrigued by his quirky "art." As a matter of fact, Roger Ebert was a big fan. Both Ebert and Meyer went on to write the screenplay to "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls."
It wasn't until I was 16 that I really grew a respect for Mr. Meyer. I was attending the second annual Sidewalk Film Festival. Where upon I ran into my 8th grade photography teacher, Mr. Snow. He was fired some years ago for reportedly attempting to assault a student.
I got to talking to Mr. Snow and we eventually got on the subject of the infamous "Angie movie." Look at me, I was only 16, and I was already following in the footsteps of ole' Russ Meyer. Mr. Snow and I shared some laughs, and mentioned I should come to a screening that evening to a film called "Mau Mau Sex Sex." (<-there’s a funny story behind that title)
The film was a documentary about the life of David F. Friedman (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0293354/) who, like Meyer, was a (T&A) director. As it turns out, Mr. Snow grew up next to this man and was quite eager to introduce me to Mr. Friedman.
In the short time that I talked to Mr. Friedman, and his son who worked for soft-core porn on Showtime, he really inspired me to continue with my work. He told me was quite proud that I was able to get women topless at such a young age for no pay, and jokingly requested Angie's phone number.
While it's easy to say that Friedman's films, like Meyer, weren't the best of movies, they were great in their own right. It was about making an art of a substance.
Meyer was great at what he did, and Ebert will back me up. He was also the origin of Boogie Night's Jack Horner. He gave us sexploitation with entertainment and plot! Yes, he was revolutionary in his own right.
Even more respectable was that Meyer ran everything he did. He had complete control, which is pretty fucking awesome.
So to you Mr. Meyer, I tip my hat to you, and may you rest in peace.
Russ Meyer 1922-2004
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000540/
For those who are wondering whom the hell I'm talking about, Russ Meyer was an exploitation filmmaker. He was known for his "T&A" flicks. He did such classics like "Faster Pussycat Kill! Kill! Kill!" Now, I'll admit, after seeing it, I wasn't dropping to my knees and praying too him. The movie was God-awful, but I admired it. I wasn't the only one who was intrigued by his quirky "art." As a matter of fact, Roger Ebert was a big fan. Both Ebert and Meyer went on to write the screenplay to "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls."
It wasn't until I was 16 that I really grew a respect for Mr. Meyer. I was attending the second annual Sidewalk Film Festival. Where upon I ran into my 8th grade photography teacher, Mr. Snow. He was fired some years ago for reportedly attempting to assault a student.
I got to talking to Mr. Snow and we eventually got on the subject of the infamous "Angie movie." Look at me, I was only 16, and I was already following in the footsteps of ole' Russ Meyer. Mr. Snow and I shared some laughs, and mentioned I should come to a screening that evening to a film called "Mau Mau Sex Sex." (<-there’s a funny story behind that title)
The film was a documentary about the life of David F. Friedman (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0293354/) who, like Meyer, was a (T&A) director. As it turns out, Mr. Snow grew up next to this man and was quite eager to introduce me to Mr. Friedman.
In the short time that I talked to Mr. Friedman, and his son who worked for soft-core porn on Showtime, he really inspired me to continue with my work. He told me was quite proud that I was able to get women topless at such a young age for no pay, and jokingly requested Angie's phone number.
While it's easy to say that Friedman's films, like Meyer, weren't the best of movies, they were great in their own right. It was about making an art of a substance.
Meyer was great at what he did, and Ebert will back me up. He was also the origin of Boogie Night's Jack Horner. He gave us sexploitation with entertainment and plot! Yes, he was revolutionary in his own right.
Even more respectable was that Meyer ran everything he did. He had complete control, which is pretty fucking awesome.
So to you Mr. Meyer, I tip my hat to you, and may you rest in peace.
Russ Meyer 1922-2004