What's the word on Andy Milligan?

Latte Thunder · Post by **Latte Thunder** » Mon Apr 01, 2002 4:48 am

I was reading an interview with John Waters over at the IFC website and he sites a book about Andy Milligan as being one of the best reads he's ever checked out. So I looked it up and this guy sounds like a lunatic! I've never seen anything by him.

Griff [Mola] · Post by **Griff [Mola]** » Mon Apr 01, 2002 7:33 am

He's dead.

Can't say I've enjoyed his movies, at least the ones I checked about 10 years ago but apparently the man's life was a bit of a struggle both personally and, eh, professionally. Haven't read the book. Maybe someone else had better chime in...

I am 138 · Post by **I am 138** » Mon Apr 01, 2002 7:44 am

Gick! #0 features a retrospective on him.
http://stigmatapress.com

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"Anarchy means crossing when it says 'Don't Walk'" - TISM

DylanDog · Post by **DylanDog** » Mon Apr 01, 2002 9:08 am

The only Andy Milligan film I've seen was The Body Beneath, which I found oddly entertaining. The movie almost seemed to succeed despite itself. Other than that, most of what I've read seems to suggest that he's almost universally hailed as a total incompetent. I'm pretty sure Bruce H and/or David Austin are fans though so they could probably tell you more.

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""E" stands for energy, yo that's me,
I'm a brilliant scientist and a dope MC.
Before you step to me I'd think twice G,
I'm the Lord of Chaos, King of Entropy."
-Stephen "MC" Hawking

bruce h · Post by **bruce h** » Mon Apr 01, 2002 8:13 pm

I own AndyMilligan.com and the site should be up by Summer, with some news on another Milligan project I'm involved with.

The retrospective in Gick quite honestly sucks. It's about 1,000 words and says absolutely NOTHING - turning up NO real info or even an original thought.

As for his films themselves - it's really love-it-or-hate-it territory. Much like Jess Franco, Milligan was a man whose love for the making of films WAY over-reached his actual talent, and what we end up with are damn near psychotic stageplays acted out by lunatics incessantly screaming at each other, until a hunchback gets stabbed with a pitchfork. Curiously enough the more Milligan films you watch the more you can tell about the man himself, as his personality had a way of oozing out of his “epics” – as is to be expected when you have one person in charge of EVERY facet of a production. His contempt for authority and his animosity for standard humanity is almost jaw-dropping, and he was sure to trash seemingly normal conventions with every spittle-flinging argument of hatred-fueled dialogue he filmed.

I’m a man obsessed, but I can understand perfectly well why most folks write his films off quickly. Oh well, their loss.

David Austin · Post by **David Austin** » Fri Apr 05, 2002 9:16 pm

Well put, Bruce!

Milligan's movies aren't the best, technically speaking, but there's just something about them that really is quite touching. I'm not a die-hard fan, but I'll give credit to FLESHPOT ON 42nd STREET and THE WEIRDO as truly bizarre and satisfying grindhouse epics. CARNAGE is also a shitload of fun. As for some of his earlier flicks, I found somebody selling a 35mm print of THE GHASTLY ONES for an incredibly cheap price....something like $50.

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"Pat yourself on the back and be sure to let your board buddies know what
a Keyboard Commando you are."

bruce h · Post by **bruce h** » Sat Apr 06, 2002 7:04 am

haha, if it's still available I'll DEFINITELY take that print for $50

gothbat · Post by **gothbat** » Tue Apr 09, 2002 11:25 am

I've seen several of Andy Milligans films. The Body Beneath, Carnage, The Ghastly Ones, and Bloodthirsty Butchers; All of these movies were very poorly made. Bad picture, bad sound, mostly no name release companies. If you are looking for a well made movie these aren't it. However they are really fun to watch because of all of this. I have been meaning to check out some of his other, from what I hear sleazier, movies. And wow, Thats crazy about that 35mm print!

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Tue Apr 09, 2002 12:46 pm

Hey, Latte.

What was the title of the book Waters was citing?

I'm not a huge Milligan fan, but a book about his struggles with filmmaking might be interesting.

[This message has been edited by Matt (edited 04-09-2002).]

Griff [Mola] · Post by **Griff [Mola]** » Tue Apr 09, 2002 5:02 pm

Matt you midget molester. Where the hell have you been hiding out for the past, oh I dunno, year or two?

In your hide-out, molesting midgets perhaps...

Latte Thunder · Post by **Latte Thunder** » Wed Apr 10, 2002 4:07 am

The book is called 'The Ghastly One' -- I'm thinking I may pick it up at some point. In the mean time, I think I need to check out a Milligan movie just to say that I did.

and in case anyone is interested, the interview can be found here: http://www.ifctv.com/ifc/film/making/0,8424,CAT0-1821-CAT1-1823-CLR-yellow-BCLR-FFCC33-,00.html

Matt · Post by **Matt** » Wed Apr 10, 2002 12:05 pm

Hello, Griff!

Well, I moved out of my parent's basement a while back and bought a townhome with my girlfriend (now WIFE!) but the "community lifestyle" of the subdivision wasn't for me. (i.e. other people's kids running around in front of my house, nosy neighbors, no privacy or peace & quiet!)

So my wife and I bought a house in a town called Wilmington which is a lot like Mayberry only a little larger! I'm loving the country livin'!

Now that we're all settled in I'll start posting more - I haven't forgotten you guys!

P.S. Thanks for the title, Latte!

[This message has been edited by Matt (edited 04-10-2002).]

ROBERT · Post by **ROBERT** » Wed Apr 10, 2002 2:25 pm

Interesting interview. I was saying in 1994, that porn and horror would eventually create it's own hybrid genre.Okay there's Joe
D'amato, with Erotic Nights of the Living Dead,Porno Holocaust, and Jess Franco with Bare Breasted Countess, but in North America, it really wasn't done,until a few years ago.Waters is right about a Hollywood star showing penetration by decade's end.

bruce h · Post by **bruce h** » Wed Apr 10, 2002 4:43 pm

Actually Robert there was a whole slew of porn-horror/roughies to come out of the US in the 70s, for a prime example just check out HARDGORE.

DylanDog · Post by **DylanDog** » Wed Apr 10, 2002 5:37 pm

Hey, Matt, welcome back and congrats on the marriage. Damn, it's been a long time since you were around these parts. I remember I got my copy of Corpse Fucking Art from you ages ago. Man, I've really played that fucker out too, just to hear the music. One day I'll get the soundtracks to all that shit!

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""E" stands for energy, yo that's me,
I'm a brilliant scientist and a dope MC.
Before you step to me I'd think twice G,
I'm the Lord of Chaos, King of Entropy."
-Stephen "MC" Hawking

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What's the word on Andy Milligan?

What's the word on Andy Milligan?