Women in Revolt

Summary

Women in Revolt is a 1971 American satirical film produced by Andy Warhol and directed by Paul Morrissey.[1] It was initially released as Andy Warhol's Women. The film stars Jackie Curtis, Candy Darling, and Holly Woodlawn, three trans women and superstars of Warhol's Factory scene.[2] It also features soundtrack music by John Cale.[3]

Women in Revolt
Theatrical release poster
Directed byPaul Morrissey
Written byPaul Morrissey
Produced byAndy Warhol
StarringCandy Darling
Jackie Curtis
Holly Woodlawn
Cinematography
Edited byPaul Morrissey
Music byJohn Cale
Release date
  • December 1971 (1971-12)
Running time
97 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot edit

The film satirizes the Women's Liberation Movement, and alludes to Valerie Solanas and the SCUM Manifesto.[4] Holly and Jackie form a small group of "women's libbers." They convince Candy, a wealthy socialite who has an incestous relationship with her brother, to join them at their meetings. The group needs Candy's membership to bring money and "glamour" to their cause.

Cast edit

Production edit

Working titles for the film were P.I.G.S. (for "Politically Involved GirlS") and Sex, which could have been an homage to actress Mae West who was arrested for her play Sex in 1926.[5]

Bob Colacello, former editor of Warhol's Interview magazine, stated, "Although Paul didn't come out and say it, and Andy certainly would have denied it, Women in Revolt is essentially Andy's revenge on Valerie Solanas. PIGs was his answer to SCUM."[6]

Shooting began for Women in Revolt in the spring of 1970.[6] During production from 1970 to 1971, Jackie Curtis insisted that Warhol shoot the film, or she threatened to leave the project.[citation needed]

Release edit

The film was called Andy Warhol's Women when it opened at the Cinema Theater in Los Angeles on December 17, 1971.[7] It was renamed Women in Revolt by the time it opened at the Cine Malibu in New York City on February 16, 1972.[1]

Reception edit

The film received mixed reviews. Kevin Thomas wrote for the Los Angeles Times that Warhol fans would find the film "uproarious" and likened it to a spoof of a "'Valley of the Dolls'-type plot."[7] Vincent Canby of The New York Times wrote, "'Women in Revolt' … is not as consistently funny (and awful) as 'Trash,' but a lot of it is as hilarious as it is dirty. The film carries no screenplay credit, so I have no idea who is responsible for the dialogue, which often is foolish and occasionally inspired in the way that good parodies must be."[1] Jeanne Miller of the San Francisco Examiner called it a "trashy little stag film," and added Warhol's "performers are so grotesque, his technical skills so non-existent and his sensibilities' so vulgar that not an iota of amusement merges from this sordid farce."[8]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Canby, Vincent (1972-02-17). "Warhol's 'Women in Revolt,' Madcap Soap Opera". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
  2. ^ McLeod, Kembrew (October 22, 2018). "The Genderqueer Tale of "Take a Walk on the Wild Side"'s Jackie Curtis". New York. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  3. ^ Ghrist, Taylor (November 24, 2015). "Happy Birthday, Candy Darling! Her 5 Most Iconic Moments". Out. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  4. ^ Pyne, Mollie (July 14, 2017). "Women in Revolt, Andy Warhol's Satire on Women's Liberation". Another Magazine. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
  5. ^ Wrbican, Matt; Gopnik, Blake; Printz, Neil (2019-01-01). A is for Archive: Warhol's World from A to Z. Yale University Press. p. 273. ISBN 978-0-300-23344-5.
  6. ^ a b Carr, Cynthia (2024-03-19). Candy Darling: Dreamer, Icon, Superstar. Farrar, Straus and Giroux. ISBN 978-1-250-06636-7.
  7. ^ a b Thomas, Kevin (December 18, 1971). "Warhol's Pop-Eyes Look at Lib". The Los Angeles Times. p. 51. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  8. ^ Miller, Jeanne (1972-03-25). "Andy Warhol Is Still Revolting". The San Francisco Examiner. p. 10. Retrieved 2024-03-31.

External links edit

  • Women in Revolt at IMDb  
  • Review of Women In Revolt