Lonesome Cowboysis a 1968 AmericanWestern filmdirected byAndy Warholand written and produced byPaul Morrissey.The film is a satire of Hollywood Westerns, and was initially screened in November 1968 at theSan Francisco International Film Festival,where it won the Best Film Award. On May 5, 1969, it was shown for initial viewings at theNew Andy Warhol Garrick Theatrein New York City.[1]
| Lonesome Cowboys | |
|---|---|
 1974 German re-release poster | |
| Directed by | Andy Warhol |
| Written by | Paul Morrissey |
| Produced by | Paul Morrissey |
| Starring | Joe Dallesandro Eric Emerson Taylor Mead Viva Julian Burroughs |
| Cinematography | Paul Morrissey |
| Edited by | Paul Morrissey |
| Distributed by | Sherpix |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 109 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Production
editLonesome Cowboyswas shot in January 1968 inOld Tucsonand the Rancho Linda Vista Dude Ranch inOracle, Arizonaon a budget of $3,000 (equivalent to $26,300 in 2023).[2]The film featuresWarhol superstarsViva,Taylor Mead,Louis Waldon,Eric Emerson,andJoe Dallesandro.The plot loosely is based onRomeo and Juliet,hence the names Julian and Ramona of the two leads. While in Arizona on a college lecture tour in November 1967, Warhol booked film screenings of excerpts fromChelsea Girlsfollowed by a question-and-answer session with the artist, Morrissey, Viva, andAllen MidgetteatArizona State Universityand the Cinema I Film Society at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. Warhol and Viva apparently both enjoyed their time in Arizona so much that they made plans to find a way to return, which culminated in Paul Morrissey's writing the screenplay forLonesome Cowboysto be shot there two months later.[3]A detailed first-hand account of Warhol's time in Tucson by Cinema I director Shirley Pasternack was published in the May 1989 issue ofTucson City Magazine.
The film was shot on16 mm filmusing anAuriconcamera, recording the sound directly onto the film ( "single-system"). Warhol deliberately stopped and started the camera during takes to include flash frames and audio pops in the middle of shots.
Warhol initially planned to title the filmFuck,thenThe Glory of the Fuck.[4]Warhol and Morrissey settled onLonesome Cowboyswhile Warhol was convalescing following the attempt on his life byValerie Solanas.John Schlesingerwas filmingMidnight Cowboy,which featured several members of Warhol's entourage, including Viva andUltra Violetwho, with Morrissey, shot a separate short film during shooting ofMidnight Cowboy's elaborate party scene.[5]Warhol initially endorsed the participation of his people but grew resentful at what he perceived as Schlesinger's poaching of Warhol's scene. Warhol decided to undercut Schlesinger by naming this filmLonesome Cowboysas a reference toMidnight Cowboy.[6]The original poster promoting the film, designed by George Abagnalo, is shown prominently in a portrait of Warhol byJack Mitchell.[7]
Cast
edit- Joe Dallesandroas Joe "Little Joe"
- Julian Burroughs as Brother
- Eric Emersonas Eric
- Tom Hompertz as Julian
- Taylor Meadas Nurse
- Vivaas Ramona D'Alvarez
- Louis Waldonas Mickey
- Francis Francine as Sheriff
1969 Atlanta police raid
edit
In August 1969, the film was seized by police inAtlanta, Georgia,personnel at The Ansley Mall Mini Cinema were arrested, and the entire audience was searched by police for their identifications.[8]The event was considered a turning point in the city's LGBT community and led to the firstAtlanta Pridetwo years later.
Remakes
editA 2010 remake byMarianne DissardtitledLonesome Cowgirlswas shot in Tucson, Arizona.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^Garcia, Alfredo (October 11, 2017)."Andy Warhol Films: Newspaper Adverts 1964-1974 A comprehensive collection of Newspaper Ads and Film Related Articles".WordPress.com.RetrievedMarch 23,2018.
- ^Hofler, p. 77
- ^Pasternack, p. 40
- ^Hofler, p. 3
- ^Hofler, p. 63
- ^Hofler, pp. 74–75
- ^Highberger, Craig."Andy Warhol at his Factory at 33 Union Square, LAST ONE signed by Jack Mitchell".1stDibs.1stDibs.com Inc.
- ^WarholStars entry
Further reading
edit- Hofler, Robert (2014).Sexplosion: From Andy Warhol toA Clockwork Orange- How a Generation of Pop Rebels Broke All the Taboos.New York: itbooks, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.ISBN978-0-06-208834-5.
- Pasternack, Shirley (May 1989).Andy Warhol in Tucson.Tucson, AZ: City Magazine. {pages 38–42}.