KENNETH ANGER’S MAGICK LANTERN CYCLE VOL. 3.
Cinematic magician, legendary provocateur, gay rights pioneer, author of the infamous HOLLYWOOD BABYLON books, and creator of some of the most striking and beautiful works in the history of film, Kenneth Anger is a singular figure in post-war American culture - a major influence on everything from the films of Martin Scorsese, Rainer Werner Fassbinder and David Lynch to the pop art of Andy Warhol to MTV.
Pleasure and terror commingle in this excellent collection of his films, illustrating Anger's occult concepts with luscious colour experiments, avant-garde soundtracks, and radically inventive editing. Kenneth Anger's films exist in a timeless, stylized void that is both alluring and terrifying.
Scorpio Rising (1963) 28 mins uses a biker gang as a symbol of savage ritualism, containing truly scary footage of an actual death-by-motorcycle. Features music by Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Little Peggy March, The Angels, Bobby Vinton and the Crystals.
Kustom Kar Kommandos (1965) 3 mins shows car club culture mirroring sexual fetish, as a young man strokes his customized car with a powder puff. Music by the Parris Sisters.
Puce Moment (1949) 6 mins stars Yvonne Marquis in a colourful, campy tribute to silent film glamour, in which the star debates what gown to wear for a party.
The video is from Jettisoundz Video (UK).