One of the highlights of the Live Film! Jack Smith! festival of the arsenal cinema in Berlin was seeing and meeting legendary underground superstar Mario Montez, who had not appeared in public for 30 years. Mario started his career with the Jack Smith films Flaming Creatures (as Dolores Flores) and Normal Love before becoming one of he first Warhol superstars.
With Jack Smith, he shared a fascination of 1950’s/60’s gay camp icon Maria Montez, who became the source of inspiration for Mario’s drag name.
More:
– Jack Smith on Ubuweb
– Mario Montez on Warholstars.org
– Article on Mario Montez with some pictures by Avery Willard, 1971
Marc Siegel and Mario Montez at the opening of Live Film! Jack Smith!
The next few photos have images from Mario Montez’ scrapbook projected in the backdrop. The first two are Maria Montez movie posters.
Poster by Jack Smith
Mario with White Pussy (Warhol’s cat)
Tony Conrad in conversation with Mario Montez
Mary Messhausen, Mario Montez, produzentin
produzentin 