Big Bosoms And Square Jaws: The Biography of Russ Meyer - Hardcover

McDonough, Jimmy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0224072501 ISBN 13: 9780224072502

Publisher: Jonathan Cape, 2005

Synopsis

Jimmy McDonough's biography of Neil Young, Shakey, was hailed as 'one of the most penetrative studies of a rock icon ever written'. Bringing his anecdote-and-action-packed biographical style to another renegade of popular culture, McDonough offers a wild portrait of Russ Meyer, the director, writer, producer and commando movie-making force behind such sexploitation classics as Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! and Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.

Beginning in 1959, this former combat photographer put his personal sexual obsessions (mostly involving women with huge breasts) on screen, creating a body of work that has influenced a legion of rock bands, filmmakers and even the occasional feminist. Meyer viewed male-female relations in the same way as he viewed World War II - as a fight to the death - and his bombastic, frequently hilarious, sex-and-violence-drenched pictures wowed mainstream movie audiences from drive-ins to arthouses.

Rich with wicked observations and memories from Meyer's friends, lovers, leading ladies, fellow filmmakers and fans, Big Bosoms and Square Jaws tells the full story of Meyer's life and career: his volatile marriages, his battles with censorship and his clashes with the Hollywood establishment.

What is the key to profitable movie-making, according to Meyer? 'Big bosoms and square jaws.'

This is a story of greed, lust and the American way. It will thrill film fans and appeal to anyone who likes a good yard with plenty of sex, booze and rock'n'roll.

(2004-10-21)

About this title

Review:

A very funny, brave book about an artist who deserves to be remembered and enjoyed. (Guardian 2005-07-16)

'McDonough polishes every wacky, wicked facet of Meyer as a redneck rough diamond.' (Times 2005-07-23)

'Russ Meyer's vision was of a hyperactive world occupied by isolated, inadequate men in thrall to overendowed, voracious women. Jimmy McDonough's book is written in such wonderfully bad taste that he has remained true to that crazed vision.' (Independent on Sunday 2005-07-10)

Praise for Shakey:

Praise for Shakey: 'One of the most penetrative studies of a rock icon ever written. Scary, bittersweet and strangely moving...one of the great tales of the rock 'n' roll era. (Sunday Times)

From the Publisher:

The definitive biography of the pioneering independent filmmaker and cultural icon Russ Meyer.

About this edition

• Publisher: Jonathan Cape
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0224072501
• ISBN 13: 9780224072502
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 480