Paul Morrissey, Cult Director, Andy Warhol Collaborator, Dies at 86

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As a longtime admirer of Paul Morrissey‘s work, I am deeply saddened by the news of his passing. At 86, he left behind a rich and colorful cinematic legacy that was as vibrant and eclectic as the characters he brought to life on screen. From his early collaborations with Andy Warhol to his later works such as “Forty Deuce,” Morrissey’s films were a unique blend of grit, glamour, and an unapologetic portrayal of New York City’s underbelly.

Paul Morrissey, a renowned director who collaborated with Andy Warhol at the start of his career, has passed away at the age of 86.

Michael Chaiken, Morrissey’s archivist, informed The Hollywood Reporter that the filmmaker passed away in the early hours of October 28 at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City following a spell with pneumonia. Among his most acclaimed works as a director are Flesh, Trash, Heat, Flesh for Frankenstein, and the iconic B-movie Blood for Dracula, featuring Joe Dallesandro in the leading role.

Morrissey’s filmography encompassed timeless pieces such as “Women in Revolt” and the New York City trilogy from the ’80s, which includes “Forty Deuce”, “Mixed Blood”, and “Spike of Bensonhurst”. However, it was his early partnership with pop artist Andy Warhol that played a significant role in shaping Morrissey as a director, ensuring his reputation as a cult figure endured throughout his professional journey.

In 1965, these two artists initially crossed paths, and subsequently, Morrissey agreed to handle Warhol’s public relations and filmmaking at The Factory until 1973 under a signed contract. Their early collaborations, rich with vibrant personalities such as drug addicts and street vendors, include the films “Space” and “My Hustler,” produced in 1965. In 1966, they worked together on “The Velvet Underground and Nico: A Symphony of Sound,” and later in 1968, they created “San Diego Surf” and “Lonesome Cowboys.

More recently, Morrissey has grown protective regarding the idea that Warhol claimed excessive credit for their joint films produced at The Factory.

In a conversation with Sam Weinberg for the Bright Lights Film Journal in February 2020, Morrissey expressed his frustration about being referred to as “Warhol films” when discussing his own work. He questioned whether it was necessary to speak to people in such a disrespectful manner and lamented that he has had to endure this association for fifty years. He explained that everything associated with him is linked to Warhol, or attributed to collaborative efforts with him. Morrissey went on to say that Warhol was incompetent, anorexic, illiterate, autistic, possibly suffering from Asperger’s syndrome, and never actually accomplished anything during his lifetime. Instead, he simply moved through life like a zombie, but managed to find success in the long run. Morrissey concluded by expressing his annoyance with this association and wondering what else might have been said, if this reference could be overcome.

In their collaborative films, it was common for Andy Warhol to receive prominent billing, such as “Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein” or “Andy Warhol’s Dracula”. Below this, you would often find “A Film By Paul Morrissey”, designed to draw the attention of movie theater patrons.

In an earlier interview with Jonathan Rosenbaum for Oui in March 1975, Morrissey admitted that Andy Warhol had indeed handled the camera on occasions, but it was Morrissey who took care of all the other logistics and creative decisions. “Andy knew what he wanted to achieve, and I helped him accomplish it,” Morrissey clarified. “Normally, Andy would handle the camera. I would take care of the lighting, arrange the filming, gather the actors, direct them. We never told actors to simply be themselves. That’s just a myth,” Morrissey emphasized.

One significant way Morrissey aided Warhol’s iconic status was by discovering and managing The Velvet Underground, as well as co-founding Interview magazine. Born on February 23, 1938, in New York City, Morrissey completed his education at Fordham Preparatory School in 1955 and later graduated from Fordham University four years afterwards.

Following a period serving in the U.S. military, Morrissey relocated to New York City’s East Village towards the end of 1960 and established the Exit Gallery. It was here that he exhibited underground movies such as Brian De Palma’s initial work, “Icarus,” and created his own first cinematic pieces.

Starting in 1975, following the conclusion of his partnership with Warhol, Morrissey temporarily relocated to Los Angeles where he embarked on a new venture: producing and directing his own films. This included a studio production titled “The Hound of the Baskervilles“, a comedic take on Sherlock Holmes starring Peter Cooke and Dudley Moore, as well as his final film, “News From Nowhere ” which was released in 2010.

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2024-10-28 21:26