Film - Mondo Hollywood (1967)

...and Bobby Beausoleil is the kid with the bow and arrow in this fascinating look at the mediocrity that is, or homes in on, big money. The LA hubris has become a blueprint for cities all over the world since this groundbreaking documentary was made in the mid-sixties. As always, this was a closed scene which turned in on itself...there are Manson acolytes and victims peppered throughout the film. "The body thing is so big." Any real talent isn't apparent, just journalists, businessmen and other limpets commenting on, and clinging to, the celebrity. Prophetic, I mean just look at the scene where the royals are next to, the far more handsome, beautiful (and talented!), Paul Newman and Julie Andrews. The end-credits are superb...

and so to the grossly misleading poster (more on this in the next post - can you guess what comes next? It's dead simple)

 

Short Film - Kenneth Anger - Lucifer Rising (1972)

You'll hear a lot of b*ll*cks spoken about this. It contains masses (ha ha) of symbolism about Lucifer as the bringer of light, the rebellious spirit etc. What you actually get is a cracking half hour prog-rock/krautrock/euro-rock/kosmische suite composed by Bobby Beausoleil from inside Oregon State Pen where he's serving life imprisonment for a Charles Manson related murder! Beausoleil's the Lucifer in this film with dark curly hair. Anger got about half an hour of footage of him before he, presciently, decided Bobby was acting like he had a demon in him! The film itself is like the ultimate prog-rock (gatefold) album sleeve come to life. It really is that good, and has been a massive influence on...well if you watch it you'll see...it's quite a list! The cast also includes Donald Cammell (Performance), his beautiful muse Myriam Gibril, Chris Jagger and Marianne Faithful (Mick chickened out, a little shabby given that Anger provided the inspiration for 'Sympathy...')