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The Degenerate: The Life and Films of Andy Milligan

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He was a pioneer of avant-garde theater, trailblazer of early Queer cinema and remains one of the most divisive talents in exploitation/horror history. But what is the truth behind Andy Milligan and his "depraved, desperate and damned" (Time Magazine) legacy? In the new documentary THE DEGENERATE: THE LIFE AND FILMS OF ANDY MILLIGAN, filmmakers Josh Johnson and Grayson Tyler Johnson explore the bile, brutality and intermittent brilliance of "The Fassbinder of 42nd Street" (Artforum). Milligan's low-budget productions -- including such 'classics' as THE GHASTLY ONES, BLOODTHIRSTY BUTCHERS, GURU THE MAD MONK, TORTURE DUNGEON and THE RATS ARE COMING! THE WEREWOLVES ARE HERE! on which he served as writer, director, cinematographer, editor, set decorator and costume designer -- were predominately period melodramas fueled by themes of sadism, incest and misogyny bathed in bottom-of-the-barrel gore effects, filmed on Staten Island (and for a brief period, London) and forever consigned to grindhouse purgatory. Yet via revealing interviews with a gallery of Milligan's performers, enablers, co-conspirators and his biographer -- along with copious clips from his deranged oeuvre -- a portrait emerges of a gutter auteur who battled and antagonized his own demons to become one of the most transgressive outsider artists of the 20th century.

Critics Reviews

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Richard Whittaker Austin Chronicle Jun 18
As a result, The Degenerate is rich in details while still leaving Milligan himself a little hazy. Go to Full Review Rich Cline Shadows on the Wall Sep 24
3.5/5
Witty anecdotes accompany a terrific collection of clips from his work. Go to Full Review Martin Unsworth Starburst Aug 25
5/5
The Degenerate is a revealing, no-holes-barred overview of Milligan, as told by his friends and those who’ve studied his work. It’s often touching, but never delusional about its subject. Go to Full Review J Hurtado ScreenAnarchy Jun 20
A powerfully empathetic portrait of an artist sorely misunderstood in his own time and beyond, The Degenerate is an enlightening film that will undoubtedly encourage viewers to explore his bonkers career and perhaps consider it from a different angle. Go to Full Review Frank J. Avella Edge Media Network Jun 18
B
It's a fascinating portrait of a complex man who had something to say and was given the means to express himself. For a time. Go to Full Review Dan Tabor Cinapse Jun 15
The DeGenerate: The Life & Films of Andy Milligan is a thoughtful and empathic peek in the metaphorical cinematic glory hole at a director, who was as divisive in real life as his filmography, and I don’t think Andy would have wanted it any other way. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Josh Johnson

Director

Grayson Tyler Johnson

Director

Gerald Jaccuzo

Self

Hope Stansbury

Self

Jimmy McDonough

Self

Stephen Thrower

Self
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The Degenerate: The Life and Films of Andy Milligan

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Movie Info

Synopsis He was a pioneer of avant-garde theater, trailblazer of early Queer cinema and remains one of the most divisive talents in exploitation/horror history. But what is the truth behind Andy Milligan and his "depraved, desperate and damned" (Time Magazine) legacy? In the new documentary THE DEGENERATE: THE LIFE AND FILMS OF ANDY MILLIGAN, filmmakers Josh Johnson and Grayson Tyler Johnson explore the bile, brutality and intermittent brilliance of "The Fassbinder of 42nd Street" (Artforum). Milligan's low-budget productions -- including such 'classics' as THE GHASTLY ONES, BLOODTHIRSTY BUTCHERS, GURU THE MAD MONK, TORTURE DUNGEON and THE RATS ARE COMING! THE WEREWOLVES ARE HERE! on which he served as writer, director, cinematographer, editor, set decorator and costume designer -- were predominately period melodramas fueled by themes of sadism, incest and misogyny bathed in bottom-of-the-barrel gore effects, filmed on Staten Island (and for a brief period, London) and forever consigned to grindhouse purgatory. Yet via revealing interviews with a gallery of Milligan's performers, enablers, co-conspirators and his biographer -- along with copious clips from his deranged oeuvre -- a portrait emerges of a gutter auteur who battled and antagonized his own demons to become one of the most transgressive outsider artists of the 20th century.
Director
Josh Johnson, Grayson Tyler Johnson
Producer
David Gregory, Carl Daft, Josh Johnson
Production Co
Severin Films
Genre
Biography, Documentary
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 49m