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Ken Russell cold news


An archive of Ken Russell news.  Click news above for the latest updates.

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Updates to The Rainbow

Ken Russell - The Rainbow - Sammi Davis

The page on The Rainbow has been extensively updated.  Click here.



Novelisation of Gothic

Novel Gothic by Stephen Volk based on Ken Russel's film

 

 

Mahler in Boulder, USA

Roberft Powell as Mahler

The Colorado MahlerFest present Ken Russell's Mahler on 18 May 2023.  It is shown at the Boedecker Theater, Dairy Arts Center, Boulder, USA.

"Cinematically, it is a work of art. “Visually the film is a feast, notable for its dazzling and pointed use of color and movement.” It earns the ire of many Mahlerites for being overly creative with the facts. “Never one to dwell on facts or chronological limitations, Russell set out to capture the spirit of his subject rather than any textbook accuracy.”

Mahler can perhaps best be described as a very creative interpretation of Mahler’s life. One Mahlerite put it this way, “It’s a great music video, which Russell should have subtitled: ‘What I think About When I Think About Mahler Thinking About Music.’ It’s not a biography, just a series of a listener’s impressions”.

Click here for the MahlerFest site.

 

 

Crimes of Passion in Massachusetts, USA

Ken Russell Crimes of Passion

Crimes of Passion will be shown as part of the After Midnight film series in Coolidge Corner Theater in Massachusetts.  It is screened on 26 May 2023 at one minute before midnight.

"In the early eighties British enfant terrible Ken Russell traveled to America and placed his unorthodox imprint on a pair of US movies. The first was Altered States, so out-there its screenwriter disowned it. The second was the equally crazy Crimes of Passion, starring Kathleen Turner (Body Heat, Serial Mom) at the height of her powers".

More details at the Coolidge website click here.

 

 

Tommy in Ohio, USA

Tommy will be shown at the Robins Theatre, Warren, Ohio on 11 March 2023.

"Tommy is a 1975 British satirical operetta fantasy drama film written and directed by Ken Russell and based upon The Who's 1969 rock opera album Tommy about a "psychosomatically deaf, mute, and blind" boy who becomes a pinball champion and religious leader. The film featured a star-studded ensemble cast, including the band members themselves, Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Elton John, and Jack Nicholson."

The theatre website is here.

 

Tommy in Nashville, USA

Tommy will be shown at the Belcourt Theatre, Nashville, USA on 13 Feb 2023.

 

Women in Love in Culpeper, Virginia, USA

Glenda Jackson in Ken Russell Women in Love

Women in Love in the cinema for free!!  It is at the Packard Campus Theater on 11 Feb 2023.

 

Teddy Girls photos


Ken Russell - Teddy Girls 

21 of Ken's photos of Teddy Girls from 1955.  Nicely printed.  The cover is of Iris Thornton and the other Teddy Girls were Pat Wiles, Rose Price, Vera Harrison, Grace Living, Barbara Wood, Josie Buchan, Eileen Lewis, Rose Hendon, Mary Toovey and Jean Rayner.

"Teddy Girls brings together, for the first time in one publication, images taken by Ken Russell of this scarcely documented subculture.  Taken around London in January 1955 and published in the Picture Post on June 4th that year, these photographs are a testament to the supremely stylish young women depicted.  The style of the Teddy Girls, like that of the Teddy Boys, grew out of a trend for Edwardian influenced fashion in post-World War II London.  However, these women should be seen as more than a feminine facsimile of their male counterparts and Russell’s images document the ingenuity and complexity of their sartorial choices.  As well as recording the style of the Teddy Girls, these images also provide a snapshot of London in 1955, a city in flux, still rebuilding itself after the damage inflicted by war.  An essay by the fashion historian, Mairi MacKenzie, considers the cultural history and context within which these women lived and the photos were taken".

Recommended

 

Mahler in Boulder, USA

Roberft Powell as Mahler

The Colorado MahlerFest present Ken Russell's Mahler on 18 May 2023.  It is shown at the Boedecker Theater, Dairy Arts Center, Boulder, USA.

"Cinematically, it is a work of art. “Visually the film is a feast, notable for its dazzling and pointed use of color and movement.” It earns the ire of many Mahlerites for being overly creative with the facts. “Never one to dwell on facts or chronological limitations, Russell set out to capture the spirit of his subject rather than any textbook accuracy.”

Mahler can perhaps best be described as a very creative interpretation of Mahler’s life. One Mahlerite put it this way, “It’s a great music video, which Russell should have subtitled: ‘What I think About When I Think About Mahler Thinking About Music.’ It’s not a biography, just a series of a listener’s impressions”.

Click here for the MahlerFest site.

 

 

Crimes of Passion in Massachusetts, USA

Ken Russell Crimes of Passion

Crimes of Passion will be shown as part of the After Midnight film series in Coolidge Corner Theater in Massachusetts.  It is screened on 26 May 2023 at one minute before midnight.

"In the early eighties British enfant terrible Ken Russell traveled to America and placed his unorthodox imprint on a pair of US movies. The first was Altered States, so out-there its screenwriter disowned it. The second was the equally crazy Crimes of Passion, starring Kathleen Turner (Body Heat, Serial Mom) at the height of her powers".

More details at the Coolidge website click here.

 

 

Tommy in Ohio, USA

Tommy will be shown at the Robins Theatre, Warren, Ohio on 11 March 2023.

"Tommy is a 1975 British satirical operetta fantasy drama film written and directed by Ken Russell and based upon The Who's 1969 rock opera album Tommy about a "psychosomatically deaf, mute, and blind" boy who becomes a pinball champion and religious leader. The film featured a star-studded ensemble cast, including the band members themselves, Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed, Eric Clapton, Tina Turner, Elton John, and Jack Nicholson."

The theatre website is here.

 

Tommy in Nashville, USA

Tommy will be shown at the Belcourt Theatre, Nashville, USA on 13 Feb 2023.

 

Women in Love in Culpeper, Virginia, USA

Glenda Jackson in Ken Russell Women in Love

Women in Love in the cinema for free!!  It is at the Packard Campus Theater on 11 Feb 2023.

 

William Hurt passes away


William Hurt in Ken Russell Altered States

William Hurt has sadly passed away.

After a couple of television roles his career started with Ken Russell's Altered States in 1980. Not a bad place to start.
He appeared in major mainstream films such as Spielberg’s AI, but he also often undertook quirky films different from the mainstream, such as Children of a Lesser God (he won an Oscar for this), Kiss of the Spider Woman and M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village.

My favourite, the little known Accidental Tourist.


Flipping the script on Britishness

London by Ken Russell, 1954

Found in an overlooked photo archive "images of Windrush arrivals and jazz club romances challenge the traditional narrative about what it means to be British".  Interesting photos including "London by Ken Russell, 1954... street scenes of the 1950s from the future film-maker’s series Portobello Road – Everyday Life. Here, a young black boy plays in one of the bombed out ‘playgrounds’ much loved by kids at the time. He is wearing a kind of superhero eye mask on his forehead, from an earlier game".

From the Guardian 4 Jan 2022 click here.


Ken Russell t shirt


A t shirt illustrated by Paul Cemmick.  Details are on Pinterest click here.


Oliver Reed turned down for a blue plaque

Oliver Reed in The Devils

Christopher Hastings writing in the Mail on Sunday newspaper reports that Oliver Reed has been turned down for a blue plaque because " his legacy in the field of acting was not sufficiently strong". Blue plaques are meant to celebrate notable figures and the places they lived and worked.

The article says “A committee at the charity – which has been accused of political correctness – rejected a bid to honour the hell-raising star of films including Oliver!, Women In Love and Gladiator, despite many considering him a towering figure in British cinema.”

Monty Python’s Terry Gilliam is quoted as saying “… this is crazy. Ollie was a monument to everything that was wonderful at that time in England. I think this decision proves our culture is being invaded by close-minded idealogues with no idea of either history or uniqueness.’

The article by Christopher Hastings is in the Mail on Sunday, 5 Dec 2021 is on the Mail website here

People who were awarded a blue plaque this year include Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets and Hilton Valentine, guitarist of The Animals.




Gretchen Felker-Martin podcast on Ken Russell's The Devils

The Losers' Club: A Stephen King Podcast presents a 30 minute discussion with Gretchen Felker-Martin on The Devils "A story about human fragility and the beauty of human frailty".  Good to hear people genuinely appreciating the film- like an idiosyncratic discussion between friends.

The link is on atcast click here.


Dick Bush, Cinematographer

Dick Bush and Ken Russell on Isadora

An update on one of Ken's cinematographers.

"When I was asked to do a Ken Russell film I was only an acting cameraman. I’d never been taught lighting, I taught myself really by watching other films, and went ahead to work with this terrifying creature as Ken was in those days. He would get through sound crews and camera crews in seconds. And I realised Ken was being really helpful. We’d go off to locations or work in the studio and I would light the set and he would come up and quietly say “Dick, do you really need that lamp on there”, and I’d switch it off and realise the set looked better".

The link is here .


A major update of Savage Messiah here .

Dancer in Savage Messiah Ken Russell

Ken Russell Savage Messiah


A major update of The Boyfriend here .

Ken Russell The Boyfriend 

Ken Russell The Boyfriend


Ken Russell: Portrait of a Maverick

Portrair of a Maverick

Ken Russell Portrait of a Maverick is a documentary by Chris Wade. The film gives an overview of Ken’s childhood and career, and has interviews with Xavier Russell (Ken’s son who edited some of Ken’s films), Judith Paris, Emma Millions and (voice only) Scott Antony.

Xavier gives some good insight into Ken’s working such as how he edits. He also mentions the friendship between Ken and Coppola, and Scorsese (who would send Ken copies of his latest films), as well as Fellini’s admiration of Ken. He also mentions Ken’s mixed feelings about Kubrick.

Judith Paris brings out how devoted she is to the work of Ken and mentions his insistence on lots of takes. As well as in films, she worked with Ken in the theatre.

Emma Millions covers the last films of Ken. She gives examples of Ken’s inventiveness such as when they had to find a way of portraying a castle collapsing (The Fall of the Louse of Usher) and he came up with the idea of using a bouncy castle. She also touchingly tells how she burst into tears when she overheard someone say Ken had just died.

The film is just over 55 minutes. You can buy the DVD or the download here

http://wisdomtwinsbooks.weebly.com/documentaries.html

The site has a short online trailer you can watch.


Site updates - Savage Messiah

Updates to films Russell has acted in other than his own films, including The Russia House, Waking the Dead: Final Cut and The Moving Finger.

Ken Russell - Agatha Christie Marple - The Moving Finger

Ken Russell - Sean Connery - The Russia House

 

 

Luna Carmoon

Luna Carmoon 

Luna Carmoon Nosebleed

New filmmaker Luna Carmoon says she gets inspiration from the British films of the 1960s and '70s and filmmakers such as Ken Russell and Nicolas Roeg.  She has made three short films so far- Hoard, Shagbands and Nosebleed (above).

She is one of the National Film & Television School's Screen Stars of Tomorrow, and Hoard is backed by BBC Film and the British Film Institute.

The trailer for Shagbands is here.

The quote is from the screendaily site here.

 

Glenda Jackson interviewed on Radio 4 about directors she has worked with

BBC This Cultural Life

BBC Radio 4's This Cultural Life will interview Glenda Jackson including on directors she has worked with.  It is broadcast on Saturday 1 Oct 2022 19:15 on BBC Radio 4.  It will also be available live on the BBC Website click here.  Thanks to Michelle for the information.

Update: You can still watch it online.  She talks of working with theatre director Peter Brook, of her view of Margaret Thatcher and her decision to become an MP, and of course on Ken Russell.

"He could be absolutely ghastly, he could be rude- not to the actors, I give him credit here- and, you know, he could scream his head off and be furious, and them thirty seconds later he’d be completely stuck on a rock somewhere and anybody who had an idea he would listen to, and listen to openly and properly and not infrequently those ideas would trigger something in him and he would do it.

But he was a marvelous marvelous director to work with, I think, because he had images, visions.  It was always with him something that was seen and was set, the image, it was the vision, it was the idea how the person could physically change or develop that were really the things that triggered  him.

I think the way this country has treated him is an absolute and utter disgrace.  It’s almost as though everybody on the production or direction side of cinema in this country simply don’t want to hear his name, and I think he at the peak of his directing talents really made fundamental changes to British cinema, and I just think it is scandalous that he’s been sort of discarded because he made major, major positive changes, and he helped dozens and dozens of people to discover their talents".



Lair of the White Worm on The Criterion Channel

Ken Russell The Lair of the White Worm 

Classic ’80s Horror is coming to Criterion Channel for Halloween.  One of the films is Ken Russell's Lair of the White Worm.

Other interesting films include Michael Wadleigh's Wolfen, Larry Cohen's Q: The Winged Serpent and John Carpenter's Prince of Darkness.  The full list of 30 films is here.



David Warner passes away

David Warner Ken Russell Cloud of Glory William Dorothy Wordsworth 

David Warner, magnificent as poet Wordsworth in Ken Russell's Clouds of Glory, has passed away aged 80.  Other good roles include the photographer opposite Gregory Peck in the original The Omen and the lead role in cult classic Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment.

"With the rigour of his classical training, his style and his fine voice, Warner boosted the IQ of any movie he was in" (Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 25 Jul 2022, click here)".

 

 

Crimes of Passion in Austin, USA

Kathleen Turner Crimes of Passsion

Crimes of Passion is on at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Austin, Texas.  It is showing on 7 Dec 2022. Details are here.

 

Elgar and Dance of the Seven Veils in London

Elgar and Dance of the Seven Veils are on at the National Film Theatre in London on 3 Nov 2022.

"Monitor was ground-breaking in the way it gave creatives the freedom to experiment. Overseen by the great Sir Huw Wheldon, the strand revolutionised arts broadcasting. Ken Russell’s work was perhaps the most obvious in this respect, particularly his essays on music and composers. His film on Elgar, made for the 100th edition of Monitor, remains one of the strand’s towering achievement".

"Russell’s daring film about the life of Richard Strauss, made for the Omnibus strand, was shown once and then banned because of objections from the Strauss estate, who blocked the use of his music. Now these compositions have finally come into the public domain it can be seen again. The film was hugely controversial, but it is a fine example of Russell at his most extravagant and attracted a wide and curious audience."

More details are on the NFT site here.

 

 

The Devils and Hell on Earth on-line

Ken Russell The Devils

Ken Russell The Devils

 

You can watch The Devils as well as Mark Kermode's documentary Hell on Earth plus Q&A with Ken etc. The link is on the Internet Archive is here.

As well as the film the extras are:

  •  Hell on Earth - A documentary exploring the film's production and controversial history. (2002, 48 mins)

  • Onstage Q&A with Ken Russell - The director in conversation with Mark Kermode at the NFT in 2004. (2012, 13 mins

  • Director of Devils - A documentary featuring candid Ken Russell interviews and unique footage of Sir Peter Maxwell Davies recording his score. (1971, 22 min)

  • On-set footage - 8mm footage of the set with commentary by Michael Bradsell. (2012, 8 mins)

  • Deleted Scene: The Rape of Christ - The infamous orgy scene scene never officially released. (1971, 2 mins)

  • Deleted Scene: Grandier's Bone - In this often cut scene, Sister Jeanne appears to masturbate with the charred bone of Grandier, given to her by Laubardemont. (1971, 1 min)

  • Trailers - Original UK and US theatrical trailers for The Devils. (1971, 5 mins)

  • James Ferman - The former secretary of the BBFC discusses censorship of 'The Devils'. (3 mins)

  • UK Censors - A short excerpt on the campaign to censor 'The Devils' in the UK. (1 min)

  • Year of Censorship - Interviews with film critic Alexander Walker, Ken Russell, and BBFC examiner Ken Penry on the controversies of 'The Devils'. (5 mins)




Bernard Haitink, Russell's conductor of Mahler, dies

Bernard Haitink from Mahler by Ken Russell

The music on Ken's Mahler was conducted by Bernard Haitink, shown above from the credits of Mahler.  I saw Haitink conduct many times and he was one of the great conductors.  He was with the Dutch Concertgebouworkest for 65 (!) years, his first concert in 1939 (from NRC.NL 22 Oct 2021).  He was also conductor of the London Philharmonic from 1967- 1979 and the Royal Opera House London from 1987-2002.  He died on 21 Oct 2021 aged 92.  He will be missed and I will be playing all my Haitink CDs to remember him.



The Music Lovers on The Criterion Channel

The Music Lovers

The Criterion Channel have a season of Glenda Jackson films, one of which is The Music Lovers.  Not sure which regions it covers or dates- for non-members there is limited information.  Other Glenda films included are The Maids and Sunday Bloody Sunday both of which are recommended.

The Criterion blurb on The Music Lovers has the usual shoddy clichés- "gloriously bonkers spectacle of madness".




Glenda Jackson season in London


Glenda Jackson in Ken Russell Women in Love

The British Film Institute in London have a month long Glenda Jackson season in July including "Ken Russell’s fine take on DH Lawrence’s Women in Love" and The Rainbow.  Glenda got an Oscar for the performance in Women in Love, and the season includes her second Oscar film the comedy A Touch of Class.  Women in Love is on 2 and 13 Jul 2022, The Rainbow is on 19 and 31 July and she is in conversation on 5 July.  Other highlights with Glenda are The Maids, Sunday Bloody Sunday and Strange Interlude.


Tommy in Berlin

Eric Clapton in Ken Russell film of The Who Tommy

Tommy is shown as part of Berlinale 2022 on 16 and 20 Feb 2022.  Click here for the Berlinale website.



Digitally Restored Tommy in Leederville, Australia

Ann-Margret in Ken Russell Tommy

The 4K digitally restored version of Tommy will be shown at the Luna Outdoor Cinema in Leederville, Australia on 18 March 2022.  Details are on the Luna website click here.



Tommy in MOMI, New York

Ken Russell film of The Who Tommy

Tommy at the Museum of the Moving Image in New York on 13, 14 Nov 2021.  It is part of their See It Big: Extravaganzas!

"Often we praise movies for their restraint. We’re putting a stop to such gentility with our latest edition of See It Big, a properly super-sized, two-part, bursting-at-the-seams program that features a selection of films that push cinematic style into excess. The makers of these films, which span the silent era to the 21st-century, really pile it on: teeming canvases, crammed frames, ornate art direction and costume design foregrounded by lush camerawork and intense performance style".

More details are here.



Altered States in London, UK

Ken Russell Altered States

Altered States is on at the British Film Institute on 30 Sept 2021.

Ken Russell Altered States

 

Altered States in St Louis, USA

Ken Russell Altered States

A chance to see Altered States in the open air.  It is on 4 Aug 2021 at The Arkadin Backlot at The Heavy Anchor, St. Louis, MO 63116.

Ken Russell Altered States

The link is here .


 

 

Girls Will Be Boys/Boys Will Be Girls

Ken Russell photo

Girls Will Be Boys/Boys Will Be Girls is an exhibition of Ken's photography (along with photos of Alan Vines).  It is at the Lucy Bell Gallery in St Leonards on Sea, UK from 21 Sep - 9 Nov 2019.

"Before finding fame as a film director with Women in Love, Tommy and The Devils,Russell worked as a freelance photographer. His series "The Last of The Teddy Girls" explores the Teddy Girl subculture of London in the 1950s,and captures the suits and slick backs that epitomise this genre. Few people know that Ken Russell originally wanted to be a serious fashion photographer and tried to start by photographing Mattli, the Swiss-born and London-based fashion designer known for his couture designs and, later, his ready-to-wear clothing and couture patterns. But as Ken himself admitted, he was hopeless and couldn’t connect with his subjects. His genius was to connect brilliantly with the Teddy Girls and boys and later with his actors, all of whom would do anything for him. In the 50s, he had captioned a series of photographs he took of antique clothing stores series beginning with “Forget your Dior fashions”!” But actually, he loved all the couture stuff."

Tommy in the cinema in the UK

Tommy

Click on the image for more details.

The British Film Institute are showing Tommy from 22-30 Nov 2019.  The film will also be shown in some cinemas throughout the country.

"Ken Russell interprets The Who’s concept album as a mix of high-energy kitsch and darker psychological nightmare."

But "We have imported a print from France for these screenings as there is no longer a good print available in this country. The print will have French subtitles which we hope will not impair your enjoyment." Sad there is no good print available in the UK.

Click on the image for more details.


Ken Russell season in Armenia

AFG Film Club 

AFG present various Ken Russell films as part of the Great Composers and Great Passions season in Yerevan, Armenia.  The films are:

 Click on the image for more details.

 

A Tribute to Ken Russell in London, UK

Ken Russell and Robert Powell

The Cinema Museum in London present a festival of Ken Russell films from 23-27 Aug 2017.

 The fillms and guests are:

Click on the image for more details.

 

 

Ken Russell on Screen by  Chris Wade

Ken Russell on Screen 

A new book on Ken Russell by Chris Wade.

"Ken Russell: On Screen celebrates the film and television career of one of the world's most innovative, controversial, and outrageous directors of all time. Ken Russell was a one off, a notorious enfant terrible, and the definition of a true maverick. He was also a genius. In a series of articles, Chris Wade goes through Ken's long and varied career, focusing on such seminal works as The Devils, Tommy and Lair of the White Worm, as well as assessing his seminal BBC films of the 1960s. Also explored in depth is Ken's final era, The Gorsewood Years, his time as a truly independent filmmaker.The book features new recollections from Russell collaborators like Murray Melvin, who looks back on The Devils, his son Xavier Russell, Rick Wakeman and many more, plus pictures provided by Ken's wife Lisi."

Click on the image for more details.

Paul Sutton's monumental biography of Ken and his films

Talking about Ken Russell 

Two editions, colour and black and white.   Highly recommended.

 


Ken Russell: Perspectives, Reception and Legacy conference in London, UK

Ken Russell 

Kingston University in London present a conference on Ken Russell from 14-16 Jul 2017.

 The presentations are:

Click on the image for more details.


Reality is a Dirty World: Ken Russell's photos in London, UK

Ken Russell photos 

The photos of Ken Russell before he made films, some stunningly beautiful photos.  It is at the Proud gallery in London.  Click on the image for details.  Highly recommended.

 

Gothic at Carmine Boutique, Orlando USA

Ken Russell Gothic- click for link 

The thirtieth anniversary of Gothic, so Carmine Boutique are showing Gothic for five showings from 13 Feb 2016.  Click on the image for details.



Song of Summer complete

Laurel and Hardy in Song of Summer

Song of Summer began with a 30 second sequence featuring Laurel and Hardy.  This has long been unavailable for copyright reasons, but you cans see it here.  It shows Ken's ability to keep television audiences by opening with the unexpected.  It also shows the inclusive appreciation of music by Fenby, compared with Delius' exclusivity ("What is English music- I don't know any").


French Dressing on DVD

French Dresing

French Dressing has been issued on DVD, Region 2.



No Wills- homage song

White Hills

White Hills, a rock duo, have written a song which member Ego Sensation says:

"No Will is an ode to Ken Russell's film Gothic which tells the tale of the night that Mary Shelley birthed the idea for her book "Frankenstein". The title references the dilemma that the story of Frankenstein ponders. The doctor believes he can rival the power of god by bringing a creature to life, however his world falls into ruin with that act. His will was ultimately illusory"

The track is from their new album Walks For Motorists.  You can hear the song here, with the article by Russell Thomas, 16 Mar 2015.


Billion Dollar Brain on Blu-ray

Billion Dollar Brain

Billion Dollar Brain is coming on Blu-ray.


Major biography of Ken

click for the shop

The first volume of Paul Sutton's authorised biography of Ken Russell is now available.  More details soon.  Click on the image to buy.


Ken Russell books

Raising Hell: Ken Russell and the Unmaking of the Devils by Richard Crouse was published in October 2012

Ken Russell's Dracula.  Ken's script of the film.

More details on these soon.


Mindbender on DVD

Mindbender

Mindbender is available on DVD- not the next film I was hoping for, but...  The best film on bending spoons.  You can  buy it here.


The Big Lebowski

Not real but an article on "What if those modern blockbusters were made in the 1950s? Artist imagines their posters and who would star in them".  Ken directing Zappa, Bowie and Iggy Pop alongside Kinski, Warhol and Clint Eastwood.  If only... The article is here.


A House in Bayswater

Ken's short (30 minute) BBC film from 1960 is now available online.  Click here.


Ken Russell: Re-Viewing England's Last Mannerist

A new book on Ken Russell, Ken Russell: Re-Viewing England's Last Mannerist is published by Scarecrow Press, USA. The book is edited by Kevin M. Flanagan.

The book "on the one hand, explores areas of Russell's career that have been somewhat overlooked or marginalized, and on the other expands the applicability of Russell's films to academic film study. Roughly half of the essays in the book are "academic" while the other half, though still scholarly, could be seen as more popular and historical. Topics covered include an elucidation of all of Russell's Monitor films, a new framework for reading Russell's whole career (as a champion of the amateur aesthetic), an essay on Russell's approach to 1980s horror, a reconsideration of Salome's Last Dance, and many, many more. Contributing writers include Barry Keith Grant, John C. Tibbetts, Joseph A. Gomez, Paul Sutton and John Kenneth Muir.  Thanks to Kevin for the information.

You can buy it here.


Mahler in Carolina, USA

Carolina Cinemas, Ashville, NC are showing Mahler on 22 Apr 2015.  Lisi Russell and Ken Urban will introduce.  Thanks to Lisi for the information.


The Devils in Harvard, USA

Ken Russell The Devils

Harvard Archive are showing The Devils on 30 Mar 2015.  The details are here.


The Dance of the Seven Veils in Ashville, USA

Ken Russell Dance of the Seven Veils

The Dance of the Seven Veils will be shown at the Railroad Library in the Phil Mechanic Building on 3 Apr 2015.  The details are here.


Altered States in London

Altered States - click for link

The National Film Theatre in London are showing Altered States on 7 and 9 Nov 2014. It is part of their Sci-Fi: Days of Fear and Wonder series. Click on the image for more details.


French Dressing in London

The British Film Institute in London presents French Dressing on 24 Aug 2011.  Thanks to forum member Slapavision for the information.


Tommy and The Devils in London

Ken presents a screening of both Tommy and The Devils at the British Film Institute, London on 29 Jul 2001 (new date).  There is a planned Q&A with Mark Kermode.  Ken was to take part but had to withdraw due to ill health.


The Boy Friend in California

Ken Russell The Boy Friend - click for link

The Boy Friend will be shown on 31 Jul 2011 at the Aero Theatre.  Production designer Tony Walton will be present.  Click on the image for more details.


Lisztomania in Chichester, UK

Lisztomania - click for details

"Where else can you see a film where Richard Wagner grows a pair of vampire fangs; makes an Aryan monster (Thor - played by overblown organ-obsessive Rick Wakeman!); stages a thoroughly nightmarish 'Rape of the Rhine Maidens' - with the perpetrator sporting a Star of David tattoo (on his forehead!!); teaches innocent little kiddies anti-Semitic rock songs about 'Teutonic Godheads'; dies; then returns from the grave as a swastika emblazoned Frankenstein's monster with a Hitler moustache, firing an enormous guitar/machine gun at a space-ship full of his and Franz Liszt's ex-lovers, who are trying to bomb him?

And Ringo Star plays the Pope! Ken Russell’s most outlandish biographical film - Purists – please stay away… The film has a healthy disrespect for any historical accuracy, but it is very entertaining in its own excessive irreverent way."

On 30 Jun 2011 at Chichester Cinema.  Click on the image for more details.


Ken and Savage Messiah in Leeds, UK

Ken Russell will appear at a one-day Gaudier-Brzeska symposium.  It is part of the Henry Moore Institute's Savage Messiah exhibition which highlights the extraordinary ways in which the life of the French-born sculptor Henri Gaudier-Brzeska (1891-1915) entered mainstream culture.  It is on from 16 Mar- 31 Jul 2011 at the Henry Moore Institute, Leeds, UK.

Ken will appear with the showing of film Savage Messiah at the Hyde Park Picture House, Leeds on 22 Jun 2011.


Savage Messiah art show

Savage Messiah - click for link

Rob Tufnell Gallery in London has an exhibition centred around Gaudier (of Savage Messiah) "with contributions from... Sophie and Henri Gaudier-Brezska, Ken Russell, Derek Jarman, Ezra Pound, Christopher Logue, Derek Boshier [Pop Goes the Easel].  It is on from 23 Apr- 28 May 2011.  Click on the image for more details.   More  soon after I go and see the exhibition.


The Devils to be shown uncut in London- with Ken

The Devils - click for link

On 1 May 2011 the East End Film Festival will show The Devils uncut (109 mins).

"The complete version of Russell’s infamous masterpiece arrives for its second ever UK screening. Breathtaking sets by Derek Jarman and Russell’s confrontational use of religious, sexual and violent imagery conjure a vision of damnation in 17th-century France. Outspoken, promiscuous priest Urbain Grandier (Oliver Reed) is accused of witchcraft by a sexually repressed Mother Superior (Vanessa Redgrave). As rumours of demonic possession spreads to the local nuns, Grandier’s resistance to the encroaching power of the state results in him being made the victim of a show trial in a climate of public hysteria. Based on events documented in Aldous Huxley’s The Devils of Loudun, this is a potentially once in a lifetime chance to see a lost, deeply disturbing British classic."

Click on the image for details.   Thanks to Apuleius for the information.

Stop press: Ken will be attending.


Pop Goes the Easel in Philadelphia, USA

Peter Blake in Ken Russell Pop Goes the Easel

On 28 Apr 2011 the International House Philadelphia, USA present Pop Cinema: Art and Film in the UK and US, 1950s – 1970s.  This includes Ken's documentary Pop Goes The Easel.  On 30 April 2011 Derek Boshier, one of the artists in the film. will be in discussion.  Click on the link for more details.


Mahler in Largs, Scotland

Largs Film Society present Mahler on 22 April 2011 at the Valhalladrome in the Vikingar.


Celebrity Naked Ambition on tv

Ken and Amanda Donohue are on the British Channel 4 Celebrity Naked Ambition.  It is about actors appearing naked on screen (!!) and Lair and The Rainbow are mentioned.  Ken and Amanda give short comments.  You can watch it again on Internet via Channel 4 on Demand here.  It was broadcast on 12 Mar 2011.


2 films at Breda International Film Festival

click for link


The International Film Festival Breda in The Netherlands will show two Ken Russell films as part of their program 'The Weird and the Wonderful'.  On 25 Mar 2011 you can see The Lair of the White Worm and The Fall of the Louse of Usher

Click on the image for more details.  Thanks to Willem for the information.


Lisztomania on DVD

Ken Russell Lisztomania

Lisztomania is available on DVD, with a commentary. You can buy it here.


BBC films on DVD in USA

Ken Russell BBC- click for link

Some of the best and rarest of Ken's work is released on DVD.  The films are The Debussy Film, Dante's Inferno, Always on Sunday, Isadora: The Biggest Dancer in the World, A Song of Summer and Elgar.  It is a USA release.  Originally it was to include Dance of the Seven Veils but obviously the Strauss estate blocked it and Elgar was substituted.  Thanks to Michael for the info.  Click on the image for more info. You can buy it here.

In Search of the English Folk Song on DVD
Gaudi on DVD
BBC films on DVD

In Search of the English Folk Song  Ken Russell Gaudi

In Search of the English Folk Song is on DVD, American format.  Ken's film on architect Gaudi is available along with Hiroshi Teshigahara's Gaudi film.


Isadora in Denver, USA

Ken Russell Isadora - click for link


If you are lucky enough to get to Denver FilmCenter/Colfaxway you can see Ken's Isadora on 5 Mar 2011.  Click on the image for more details.


French Dressing petition

click for the French Dressing petition

Sign a petition to get French Dressing released on DVD with commentaries.  Click on the image for the site.


Pop Goes the Easel in London

Peter Blake in Ken Russell Pop Goes the Easel

On 13 Feb 2011 the Museum of Everything in London screens Ken's film for Monitor from 1962.  Painter Peter Blake (who did the cover for Sgt Pepper) was one of the subjects and he will introduce the film.  Click on the image for the museum, though it is not easy to navigate.


Murray Melvin interview online

Murray Melvin - click for link

BBC Radio 4 have an interview with Murray Melvin, from The Devils and lots more films by Ken.  Click on the link to listen (but you have to be quick).


Amelia and the Angel

Ken Russell Amelia and the Angel

The British paper The Observer will have a free DVD of early films by influential films directors.  It is available this Sunday.

This includes Ken's magnificent amateur film Amelia and the Angel.  Other films are Boy and Bicycle by Ridley Scott, The Burning by Stephen Frears, I'm British But.... by Gurinder Chadha and Where's the Money Ronnie! by Shane Meadows.
Highly recommended.


Ken's photos

Ken Russell photographer - click for link

There is another exhibition of Ken's photos, before he went into films, at the Proud Gallery in London. 

The photos, all black and white, come from his pre film days. There are three types of photos
- the Teddy Girl series. The teddy girls are young teenagers, and Ken really does reveal the character of the girls in the stylish pictures. Similar photos are of young children on Portobello Road, London (near where I live but I can't recognise the locations from the photos).

- posed series, such as "other uses of a bicycle"- lots of photos of a Penny Farthing with people using it as anything but a bike. Others are very good, such as a photo of the door of a private detective, with the shadows of two men on the door. Very Alfred Hitchcock, I thought of the opening of Don't Shoot the Composer

- the rest. This includes a brush with films and celebrity, a photo of Richard Burton, in a Roman centurions costume from the set of Alexander the Great, released in 1956.

Click on the image for more details.  Note the photos on the Proud site are bad- seemingly a small image enlarged.  The originals in the gallery are sharp and in focus. Highly recommended.


Russellmania! with Ken in New York

Want to see The Devils and Savage Messiah?  Or The Boy Friend, Lisztomania, Mahler, The Music Lovers, Tommy, Valentino and Women in Love.   Each with Ken Russell present. Go to the Lincoln Centre in New York from 30 Jul- 5 Aug 2010.

click for link to Russellmania! click for link to Russellmania! click for link to Russellmania!
click for link to Russellmania! click for link to Russellmania! click for link to Russellmania!
click for link to Russellmania! click for link to Russellmania! click for link to Russellmania!

Click on the link for more details.  Thanks to Steve for the information.


The Devils on DVD?

There is a lot of activity going on which may suggest The Devils is about to come out on DVD- possible with the additions of the cut scenes.

Some things: the film was for sale on iTunes briefly, and will be shown on 30 Jul 2010 at the Walter Reade Theater, New York.

Ken's photos

Ken Russell photographs - click for link

There is an exhibition of Ken's photos, before he went into films, at the Lucy Bell Gallery in St Leonards on Sea.  Click on the image for more details.  Highly recommended. 


Tommy with Ken Russell in Beverly Hills

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For those people living in, or visiting The Los Angeles Area, Ken Russell and Stuart Baird will be the special guests at a 35th Anniversary screening of Tommy at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills on 21 May 2010.  Click on the image for more details.  Thanks to Rosebud for the details.


Aria Special Edition on DVD/ Ken at the BFI

Ken Russell Aria

Aria was reissued on DVD on 15 Jun 2009 but this time with extras.

The 10 directors each assigned to create a short film for this whole piece were Robert Altman, Derek Jarman, Jean-Luc Godard, Julien Temple, Charles Sturridge, Bruce Beresford, Bill Bryden, Franc Roddam with Nicolas Roeg and of course Ken.  Each made a film segment to the music of operatic arias.  Ken did Nessun dora.  You can buy it here.

The special features include a documentary featuring interviews with Producers and Directors and a commentary by Producer Don Boyd.  Thanks to Donald for the info.

Aria was shown at the BFI in London with Ken present.  It happened on 9 Jun 2009.  For details click here.

Ken Russell films

 

A Kitten for Hitler on-line

A Kitten for Hiter by Ken Russell

A Kitten for Hitler is available on the Comedybox site. 'Ten years ago, while working on The South Bank Show, Melvyn Bragg and I had a heated discussion on the pros and cons of film censorship. Broadly speaking, Melvyn was against it, while I, much to his surprise, was absolutely for it. He then dared me to write a script that I thought should be banned. I accepted the challenge and a month or so later sent him a short subject entitled A Kitten for Hitler. “Ken,” he said, “if ever you make this film and it is shown, you will be lynched.”  ...that was ten years ago, and I’m still alive and kicking, but whether that will still be the case in November only the Lord knows. Because, by the end of October, the film will be seen the world over, on the Comedybox website.'  Click on the image for the film.  Thanks to Ken and Lisi as well as Emma and Marc for the link.


A British Picture reissued

A British Picture Ken Russell

Ken's autobiography A British Picture has being reissued in an updated version.

"The updated autobiography of Britain’s most controversial film director, the maker of Women in Love, The Devils, The Music Lovers, Tommy and The Rainbow, is as unconventional and brilliant as his best films.  Moving with astonishing assurance through time and space, Russell recreates his life in a series of interconnected episodes – his thirties childhood in Southampton, his first sexual experience (watching Disney’s Pinocchio), his schooldays at the Nautical College, Pangbourne, early careers in the Merchant Marine and the Royal Air Force, dancing days at the Shepherds Bush Ballet Club and of course his career as a film-maker, beginning with an extraordinary interview with Huw Wheldon for a job on Monitor.  Full of marvellously funny anecdotes and fascinating insights into the realities of the film director's life, A British Picture is a remarkable autobiography."  Thanks to Paul for the information.  You can buy it here. Recommended.


Phallic Frenzy

Ken Russell Phallic Frenzy

By Joseph Lanza and sub-titled Ken Russell and his films, this major new book is now available.  As well as the films it covers Ken's opera and video work.  This will be the first full length book on Ken since 1984.  You can buy the book in the shop (click here).  Recommended.


Ken in Belfast, Northern Ireland

The Boyfriend in Portsmouth with Ken

Ken (and special guests) will be attending a special screening of The Boyfriend at the Portsmouth theatre where it was filmed.  It happens on 6 Mar 2010.

Call the box office on (023) 9264 9000
www.portsmouth.co.uk/entertainment/Weekend39s-going-to-be-a.5977479.jp
www.newtheatreroyal.com

Thanks to Paul for the information.


 Wild Thing: Epstein, Gaudier-Brzeska and Gill

Gaudier-Brzeska- click for link

Wild Thing: Epstein, Gaudier-Brzeska, Gill.  The Royal Academy in London have an exhibition featuring sculpture Gaudier, as in Ken's Savage Messiah.  "Over a period of 10 years from 1905 to 1915, three outstanding young sculptors emerged in Britain; Jacob Epstein, Henri Gaudier-Brzeska and Eric Gill. The radical impact of their work was to transform British sculpture.  This exhibition is the first time that the three artists have been shown together in this revolutionary context... The exhibition will contain more than 90 works including sculptures, drawings and pastels. With rooms dedicated to the work of each sculptor the exhibition will focus on the key achievements of each artist and will reveal their impact on British sculpture. The show will bring together spectacular works, including ... Gaudier’s innovative carving of Birds Erect [in Ken's film]".  Click on the image for more details.



Ken will be at the Belfast Festival on 23 Oct 2009. He will be in conversation with William Crawley.

The festival will also include showings of The Music Lovers (23 Oct, with Ken), Savage Messiah (24 Oct),  Mahler (25 Oct) and Tommy (26 Oct).

Details are here www.belfastfestival.com


Karl Malden dies

Karl Malden

Karl Malden has died.  He had significant roles in films such as A Streetcar Named Desire, On the Waterfront and One-Eyed Jacks (all with Brando), Hitchcock's I Confess, Patton, How the West was Won and many others.  And of course Ken's Billion Dollar Brain.  Thanks to regal26 from the discussion board for flagging this.


The Devils in Harvard and on Sky

The Harvard Film Archive in Cambridge, MA, USA will screen The Devils on 24 Jul 2009.  It will be the standard version of the film.

Sky Arts may have acquired the UK TV rights to show the 'directors cut' of The Devils, tentatively for August this year along with the Hell on Earth documentary. [unfortunely this will not happen].

Thanks to richmond74 and regal26 for the information.


Aria: Ken at the BFI

Ken Russell Aria

Aria will be shown at the BFI in London with Ken present.  It happens on 9 Jun 2009.  For details click here.


 Monitor films at the BFI

On 15 Apr 2009 the BFI in London present Monitor Miscellany.  Lots of good early Ken Russell television work
- Guitar Music (1959)
- John Betjeman (1960)
- London Moods (1961)
- The Lonely Shore (1962)
- Lotte Lenya Sings Kurt Weill (1961).


Ken Russell at the Florida Film Festival

Ken Russell will be honoured and Crimes of Passion will be shown on the opening weekend of the  Florida Film Festival at the Enzian Theater in Maitland.  The Festival runs from 27 Mar- 27Apr 2009.  Thanks to Nick for the information.

 

Gorsewood films: Boudica and Charlotte Bronte

Boudica Bites Back: Ken's latest Gorsewood film was expected on the Times Online site around Easter 2008.  Now it will be shown at the SAND animation film festival in Swansea, Wales.

Charlotte Bronte: Ken's Charlotte Bronte was expected to be on YouTube.  Thanks to Alex for the information.


Ken's photos in London: Soho Nights

Ken Russell photo- click for link

"The photographs of Ken Russell captured the birth of the ‘hand jive’ at the Cat’s Whiskers coffee bar in 1956. This venue attracted such big crowds that there was no room to move and so hand gestures replaced conventional dancing.  The atmospheric scenes these photographs portray give us a glimpse of night-time Soho as it once was."

This exhibition is on from 6 Dec 2008- 8 Feb 2009 at the Photographers Gallery, London.  Click on the image for more info.


Invasion of the Not Quite dead

Ken Russell

Ken is supporting and will take part in a film being set up by independent filmmakers AD Lane and Andrew Cargill.  Click on the image for more information.  Thanks to Archie for the information.


Mindgame: A Play in New York to 4 Jan 2009

Ken Russell Mindgame- click for link

Ken is directing a play in New York.  Ken describes the play Midgame as "A play in which nothing is as it seems. Strains of violence, intrigue, questionable identity, serial killers and sexually loaded psychodrama stretch the imagination to breaking point or breakthrough point: your choice and your ride... Alone in my room, reading the script... ,by the end of Act II was ready for a large scotch. By the last page, I had finished the bottle. Yes, it was honestly the scariest script I had ever read."

And how he came to do the play "Some time ago I was approached by the talented American actor Lee Godart to direct the play, by the British author Anthony Horowitz, whose TV series Foyle's War and whose Alex Rider books are international hits."

The play stars Keith Carradine, Lee Godart and Kathleen McNenny.  Beowulf Boritt is the production designer, Ken's wife Elise is assistant director and the producers are Monica Tidwell and Michael Butler.  It is on at the SoHo Theatre, 15 Vandam Street, New York, from 29 Oct 2008 and opened on 9 Nov 2008.  Click on the image for more details.

Site members can get discounts for Ken's play in NY:

Visit the Mindgame website at www.mindgametheplay.com and use code FWBB for
$35 tickets (regularly $64-$74).  Thanks to Sheryl for the discounts.


Gorsewood films: Boudica and Charlotte Bronte

Boudica Bites Back: Ken's latest Gorsewood film was expected on the Times Online site around Easter 2008.  Now it will be shown at the SAND animation film festival in Swansea, Wales.  On 27 Nov 2008 there will be a Q&A with Ken and parts of the film will be shown as part of a "making of..." discussion.

Charlotte Bronte: Ken's Charlotte Bronte was expected to be on YouTube.  Thanks to Alex for the information.


Herne Bay interview

Ken's interview for Kent TV in Herne Bay where French Dressing was made.  Thanks to Kristien for permission to include the link.


Halloween screening of The Devils with Ken in New York

Anthology Film Archive, New York, have a midnight halloween screening of The Devils, and Ken will be there. Details are here www.anthologyfilmarchives.org


Ken signing A British Picture in Southampton

Ken will be signing copies of his book at Waterstone's West Quay Southampton Sat 13 Sept between 1.00pm and 2.00pm.  Thanks to Paul for the information.

 

French Dressing in Herne Bay

There is an open-air screening of French Dressing in the Memorial Park, Herne Bay, Kent, UK as part of the Herne Bay Festival.  It is on 22 Aug 2008 at 8.00. Ken will be there in person to introduce the film.  Thanks to Neil for the info.


The Twiggy story on stage

Twiggy, star of Ken's The Boyfriend,  is trying to persuade Ken to work with her on a stage version of her life.  This will be a musical with songs from the Fifties to today.  She is working with a writer on the project, and wants Ken to bring it to the stage.  From The Mail on Sunday, 28 Oct 2007.


Altered States in USA introduced by Blair Brown

click for link

Blair Brown, who played Emily Jessup in Altered States, introduces the film as part of the Brainwave NYC festival, on 18 Jan 2008 at the Rubin Museum of Art, New York.  Click on the image for more details.  Thanks to Steve for the information.


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