Sex Film Pioneer Meyer Dies at 82
 

Sex Film Pioneer Meyer Dies at 82
Thu, Sep 23, 2004, 09:09 AM PT
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Russ Meyer, who pioneered "sexploitation" films, died on Saturday, Sept. 18 at the age of 82.
The filmmaker passed away in his Hollywood home from complications from pneumonia, reports his company, RM Films International Inc.

Meyer is best known for films such as "Faster Pussycat, Kill! Kill!" and "Vixen" with their cartoonish violence and well-endowed stars, but also later in life enjoyed critical acclaim for his major studio release "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls."



Today, Meyer's name is synonymous with soft-core pornography that isn't as risque compared to today's films, but nevertheless set a standard for its time.

Russ Meyer was born on March 21, 1922 to a policeman and a nurse. As a teen, he became an amateur filmmaker and earned prizes at age 15. Later, he became a newsreel cameraman during World War II, then a professional photographer, shooting some of Playboy magazine's earliest centerfolds.

His directing and producing debut, "The Immortal Mr. Teas" in 1959, became an overwhelming success and led to a string of additional self-financed films.

In the mid-'60s Meyer established his filmmaking style with his black-and-white "Gothic period." "Lorna," "Mudhoney," "Motor Psycho" and the aforementioned "Faster Pussycat" are still seen as his finest films, featuring large-busted women, humor and violence.

Meyer denies that his films are insulting to women, even insisting that many women enjoy his films.

"The girls kick the hell out of the guys. I've always played well at the Ivy League -- Cornell, Dartmouth. I have never encountered a berating woman," he said.

In particular, 1966's "Faster Pussycat" -- which still enjoys cult and art house popularity today -- centers on a trio of go-go dancers who wreak vengeful murder on men.

"This film is not derogatory to women," Meyer said. "There were three tough cookies to deal with. Besides, they get what's coming."

Meyer's 1968 film "Vixen" became a blockbuster and earned so much attention that soon the major studios were knocking on his door. His "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls," co-written by film critic Roger Ebert, was a huge hit, even while it befuddled critics.

New York critic John Simon thought the film was "awful, stupid and preposterous" but also acknowledged that it was "weirdly funny and a real curio, rather like a Grandma Moses illustration for a work by the Marquis de Sade."

In general, this response is in keeping with Meyer's approach to all his films.

"[My films] are put-ons, send-ups, humorous," said Meyer. "I think I've got an ability to provoke, be teasing, be provocative. It's all a joke."

Meyer was married three times, including to actress Edy Williams. He leaves no survivors.

Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls is one funked out flick..if you haven't seen it do so.