Brigid Polk Movies
The final film released under the Andy Warhol moniker (which Warhol executive produced) is a much more polished affair than Flesh, Trash or Heat, but preserves the oddball wit and eccentric flair that made those films so memorable. Directed by Warhol film editor Jed Johnson, Andy Warhol's Bad focuses on Hazel Aiken, a New York housewife who has to support a houseful of relatives on her own. She pays the bills by operating an electrolysis service out of her home and also by running a murder-for-hire service staffed exclusively by women that specializes in unsavory jobs like killing children and house pets. As a result of her latter job, she has to deal with unwanted attention from Detective Hughes, a corrupt cop who wants her to surrender one of her employees so he can make an arrest. Hazel's complex life grows even more difficult with the arrival of her nephew J.T. (Perry King), a sleazy layabout who wants to join her hit squad. As the bodies pile up around her, Hazel discovers that her cold-blooded take on capitalism and family values comes with a price she didn't imagine. Andy Warhol's Bad differs from previous Warhol productions because of its higher production values and Hollywood-friendly casting, but retains its sense of underground credibility thanks to a wild story line that trashes every taboo in arm's reach to create a memorably bizarre satire. Some sources erroneously list the year of release in 1971; it was in fact produced in 1976 and issued to theaters by Roger Corman's New World Pictures in 1977. The MPAA classified that version of the film with an X. It was later reedited to receive an R, which is the version available on video. ~ Donald Guarisco, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carroll Baker, Perry King, (more)
- 1973
- R
When government attorney Mike Mandell (Stacy Keach, Jr.) begins to suffer from a mental disorder that periodically transforms him into another mobster personality known as "Sonny," his strange behavior doesn't escape the notice of narcotics agent Gordon Pankey (Harris Yulin). As Gordon observes Mike, the man becomes more and more paranoid that he is being watched. The score for this film was created by the jazz group Weather Report. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1968
This characteristically offbeat, but tedious, Andy Warhol film was finished just before Warhol was seriously wounded by a gunshot wound inflicted by one of his disgruntled followers. It was released soon after Warhol's recovery. Though the film tends to be a muddled, haphazard collection of seemingly unrelated scenes, it begins clearly enough by introducing the main character: the flamboyant, verbose Ondine, an infamous homosexual who makes a passing attempt to live life as a heterosexual. Ondine is also adventuresome enough to try and learn "college wrestling" from a young male prostitute. In the most memorable scene of the film, a nude boy standing over a motorcycle is buried in trash after he and other willing parties participate in a food-and-garbage orgy. The film is re-edited from his earlier 25-hour marathon Four Stars. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- 1967
The medieval writings of Thomas a Kempis supposedly are the inspiration behind this Andy Warhol film. A young son reflects on his place in the world. Brigid Polk is the young boy's mother, with Ondine as his father. Nico plays the maid and Taylor Mead place a homeless man in this lifeless feature. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brigid Polk, Ondine, (more)
- 1967
Andy Warhol shows technical improvement in this experimental film with music by the Velvet Underground. He effectively blends multi-printed scenes in an effective display of psychedelic colors. Warhol continues his voyeuristic tendencies as the camera films two people making love. A rape scene is included, and Ondine recalls a homosexual experience. A model applies makeup as her boyfriend tries to get her to answer his pointless questions. Fans of Warhol and his films will find this enjoyable, while others will be offended and possibly bored. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- International Velvet
- 1967
One of the first "underground" films of the 1960's to achieve a degree of mainstream acceptance (it was an actual hit in New York City, was well-received in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and was banned in Chicago and Boston), Andy Warhol's The Chelsea Girls offered a long, unblinking look into the lives of Warhol's retinue of "superstars" as they showed off for the camera in their various rooms in the notorious Chelsea Hotel, long a favored New York hangout for writers, artists and bohemians. Along with such notables of the moment as Eric Emerson, Brigid Polk, Ondine, and Mario Montez, one of the "girls" was Mary Woronov, years before she gained a cult following for her work in Rock 'n' Roll High School and Eating Raoul. The three-and-a-half hour film consisted of two series of images shown simultaneously, though only one soundtrack was audible; in 1995, Warhol associate Paul Morrissey prepared a video edition for broadcast on British television, though the film has yet to be broadcast in the United States and there is no authorized video release as yet in North America. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ondine, Mary Might, (more)
