Andy Warhol’s favourite movies of 1964
Everyone recognises Andy Warhol’s art, from the brightly painted Campbell’s soup cans to his similarly vivid images of Marilyn Monroe. He was obsessed with depicting consumerism, particularly the consumption of celebrities, becoming one of the art world’s biggest celebrities in the process. With a striking appearance defined by his white hair, Warhol helped to make many of New York’s most eccentric characters into icons, assembling a collection of (often disposable) ‘Superstars’ whom he used in his experimental films.
When Warhol wasn’t creating physical artworks or partying and socialising with the models, musicians, actors and artists of New York, he was making films, often pushing the boundaries of what could be considered cinema. One of his earlier forays into the medium was Blow Job, which featured the face of DeVeren Bookwalter as he received oral sex. Then there was Blue Movie, a monumental film due to the fact it was the first pornographic picture to be treated as real cinema, even receiving a widespread release in theatres.
Warhol also created movies like Chelsea Girls, Vinyl, and Poor Little Rich Girls, often making Edie Sedgwick, whom he considered his muse, the centre of his cinematic experiments. He was interested in movies that were transgressive, shocking, fun and avant-garde, as reflected by the list of his favourite movies from 1964 that he shared with The Village Voice.
The artist picked out 11 films, several of which were B-movies that have since been largely forgotten, at least in the mainstream. One favourite of Warhol’s was The Creation of the Humanoids, which was directed by Wesley Barry. The sci-fi movie, which sees a group of humans try to destroy humanoid creatures who have become common in the wake of the apocalypse, feels ominously poignant even today with the increase of AI. Back in the early 1960s, when technology was rapidly advancing, the film surely felt like a warning sign. Warhol liked the movie so much that he even made Andy Warhol Robot in 1981.
Warhol was also a fan of Kitten With A Whip, the movie that helped Ann-Margaret be recognised for more dramatic roles. The crime drama was directed by Douglas Heyes, and while it wasn’t one of the most acclaimed films of the year, it has since become somewhat of a cult favourite. Another work Warhol loved that initially received rather bad press – only years later would critics reevaluate it – was Lilith by Robert Rossen. It starred some big names, like Warren Beatty, Jean Seberg and Peter Fonda, but it was criticised for its lack of strength in several departments, such as the acting.
A film that Beatty almost starred in, Youngblood Hawke, made it onto Warhol’s list. The Delmer Davies-directed movie was inspired by the life of Southern Renaissance writer Thomas Wolfe, with James Franciscus in the leading role. In keeping with the drama theme, he also loved The Carpetbaggers, directed by Edward Dmytryk, better known for helming The Caine Mutiny. The film caused quite a scandal because it featured a nude scene, which was not allowed at the time. It was cut out of the American release due to certain laws, but many audiences were shocked by the information nonetheless.
Alongside titles like The Brig by Jonas Mekas, who Warhol considered a mentor, and Palm Springs Weekend by Norman Taurog, Warhol also seemed to be a fan of the James Bond series. He included the first three instalments in the franchise, Dr No, From Russia With Love and Goldfinger, in his favourites list. While James Bond movies don’t seem like the kind of thing Warhol would be into, it makes perfect sense. These early entries to the series were quite campy and dramatic, which Warhol surely revelled in.
Andy Warhol’s favourite movies of 1964:
- The Creation of the Humanoids (Wesley Barry)
- Kitten With A Whip (Douglas Heyes)
- Lilith (Robert Rossen)
- The Carpetbaggers (Edward Dmytryk)
- The Brig (Jonas Mekas)
- Palm Springs Weekend (Norman Taurog)
- Youngblood Hawke (Delmer Davis)
- Faucets (Marie Menken)
- Dr No (Terence Young)
- From Russia With Love (Terence Young)
- Goldfinger (Guy Hamilton)
