Morrissey, Dies at 86: Warhol's Collaborator and Underground Filmmaker

Paul Morrissey, the filmmaker behind several collaborations with Andy Warhol that faced critical backlash yet won over audiences globally, passed away in New York on Monday at 86, following hospitalization for pneumonia, as reported by the New York Times.

Best known for the gritty, provocative films he created in the late 1960s and early ’70s, Morrissey made movies that toyed with Hollywood’s conventions, blending elements of Westerns and horror films while infusing them with bold, queer themes often ignored by mainstream cinema.

During this era, Warhol and Morrissey produced cult hits like Flesh (1968), Lonesome Cowboys (1968), and Flesh for Frankenstein (1973). Morrissey later claimed that Warhol contributed minimally, saying he was the one who shaped Warhol's image. After their partnership ended post-Frankenstein, Morrissey continued making films on his own.

Yet, the Warhol collaborations remain central to Morrissey’s legacy. In Lonesome Cowboys, a subversive take on Romeo and Juliet with a gay protagonist, the film’s irreverent tone was both evident on screen and behind the scenes. Shot on a set designed for TV Westerns, it featured non-professional actors from Warhol’s circle, including Viva, who faced harassment during filming, drawing attention from local authorities and the FBI, who opened a file on Warhol.

Morrissey's films intentionally courted controversy. A magazine review once labeled Lonesome Cowboys as “a mix of homosexual sex, conversation, rape, conversation, transvestitism, and orgies,” illustrating its raw, shocking style.

This film nudged Warhol's work in a more openly camp direction, as noted by biographer Blake Gopnik, who described it as “more flamboyantly queer than anything Warhol had done before.”

Morrissey, born in 1938 in Manhattan, grew up Catholic in Yonkers and attended Fordham University, graduating with an English degree. He quickly joined the 1960s underground art scene, debuting in Brian De Palma’s Icarus. In 1965, introduced by Gerard Malanga, he met Warhol, whose loose, improvisational filmmaking style he helped refine, claiming to add structure to Warhol’s work.

Their collaboration’s final projects were the big-budget Flesh for Frankenstein (1973) and Blood for Dracula (1974), backed by Carlo Ponti. Despite initial mixed reviews, both found box-office success.

Although Dracula marked Morrissey's last project with Warhol, he continued directing films, including Forty-Deuce (1982), with Kevin Bacon playing a hustler.

Morrissey resisted the idea that Warhol had bolstered his career. In a 2012 interview with Miami New Times, he vented: “I promoted his name, and he got credit for my movies. I made them.”

The Legacy of Morrissey's Cult Classic Films

Paul Morrissey, a pioneering cult film director, made a lasting impact on underground cinema. He worked alongside Andy Warhol. Many of Warhol's "Superstars" like Candy Darling and Joe Dallesandro starred in Morrissey's films. Together, they created the 1966 film "The Velvet Underground and Nico: A Symphony of Sound." Morrissey also helped with Warhol's "Exploding Plastic Inevitable" events.

Morrissey's work with Warhol, like "Lonesome Cowboys," is key to his legacy. Films like "Andy Warhol's Flesh for Frankenstein" and "Blood For Dracula" showed his bold vision. Even after working with Warhol ended, Morrissey kept making bold films like "The Hound of the Baskervilles" and "News from Nowhere."

Morrissey's work with Warhol and his solo projects have deeply influenced underground cinema. His legacy as a cult classic filmmaker continues to inspire.

"Morrissey's films were made for under $10,000 each, but they left a lasting impact on the world of underground cinema."

Morrissey's Controversial Approach to Filmmaking

Morrissey's filmmaking was all about challenging and provoking. A magazine writer once called his work "a mix of homosexual sex, rape, and more." His films were bold, embracing queer and camp aesthetics. Morrissey's filmmaking style was always a key part of his vision.

Working with Andy Warhol, Morrissey made low-budget films starting in 1965. These films often featured non-professional actors. Their biggest hit was the 1970 film Trash, starring Joe Dallesandro and Holly Woodlawn.

Morrissey's most famous films include Flesh, Heat, and Women in Revolt. He also made Blood for Dracula, Forty Deuce, Mixed Blood, and Spike of Bensonhurst.

Morrissey's Break from Warhol and Solo Career

Morrissey left his long-time collaborator Andy Warhol in 1974. He started a solo career that made him a key figure in underground cinema. After leaving Warhol, Morrissey made a series of independent films. These films broke new ground in filmmaking, like his 1978 take on "The Hound of the Baskervilles," a comedic twist on Sherlock Holmes that didn't do well.

But Morrissey's 1982 film "Forty Deuce" was a hit. It starred a young Kevin Bacon and got great reviews, showing Morrissey's unique vision. In the 1990s, Morrissey slowed down, but he came back in 2010 with "News From Nowhere." This film showed his lasting love for filmmaking.

Morrissey's solo career after leaving Warhol's circle showed his incredible talent and vision. He left a lasting impact on underground cinema.

Morrissey's Unique Perspective on Warhol's Contributions

Paul Morrissey had a unique view on his relationship with Andy Warhol. He believed he, not Warhol, was key to Warhol's fame. Morrissey said, "I'm supposed to live with the idea that he contributed to my movies because I let him present them because I was his manager, and I had to think of things to do to get his name out there, and he couldn't do anything, so he presented my movies and what does the scum media, filth, commie, pieces of shit do? Type up this crap. I made his movies."

Morrissey was bold and often challenged the status quo in filmmaking. He played a crucial role in the 1960s and 1970s underground cinema scene. His work helped make Warhol a cultural icon. He also discovered and promoted the Velvet Underground, a band linked to Warhol's Factory.

The debate about Morrissey and Warhol's relationship is ongoing. Yet, Morrissey's view on their collaboration is intriguing. He believed in his own role in Warhol's success, even when Warhol got most of the credit. This shows the complex nature of creative partnerships and artistic legacies.

The Intersection of Art, Controversy, and Conservatism

Morrissey's films tackled tough topics and images but he stayed true to his conservative and religious views. In an interview, he said his art and politics weren't in conflict. He found the 1960s and 1970s "idiotic and funny" and enjoyed making fun of them in his movies.

Morrissey's work was all about pushing boundaries and challenging norms. His films often explored themes that made people think differently. From working with Andy Warhol to his solo projects, Morrissey's vision was bold and unapologetic.

Despite his provocative art, Morrissey held strong conservative beliefs. He saw the counterculture's excesses as "idiotic and foolish." This mix of his art and beliefs made his work both fascinating and puzzling.

Morrissey's impact on underground cinema is tied to the controversy and conservatism in his life. His films are celebrated for their artistry but also show the complex human experience.

"The reason for antisemitism is the behavior of Jews in history." - Audience survey response after watching a production of The Merchant of Venice

The mix of art, controversy, and conservatism is common in creative arts. From the 1960s to today, the debate between art and beliefs has sparked both creativity and controversy.

Looking back at Morrissey's life and work, we see a complex artist. His films, though provocative, show the power of art to challenge and reflect our world.