Kenneth Anger

Kenneth Anger is an American avant-garde filmmaker, author, and occultist who gained prominence in underground cinema during the mid-20th century. His experimental short films, produced between the 1940s and 1970s, are considered influential works in independent and queer cinema. The filmmaker is particularly known for his controversial 1959 book "Hollywood Babylon," which detailed alleged scandals of Hollywood's early years. The book's mix of fact and speculation became notorious in film history circles, spawning a sequel and influencing how celebrity gossip would be written about for decades to come. Anger's most recognized films include "Fireworks" (1947), "Scorpio Rising" (1963), and "Lucifer Rising" (1972), which combine occult symbolism, homoeroticism, and popular music in groundbreaking ways. His work heavily influenced music video aesthetics and has been cited as inspirational by numerous filmmakers and artists. His connection to occultism, particularly his devotion to Aleister Crowley's Thelema philosophy, has been a defining aspect of both his creative work and public persona. Anger's synthesis of magical rituals, cinema, and popular culture established him as a unique figure in American underground arts.

Readers find Anger's "Hollywood Babylon" both fascinating and problematic. Online reviews frequently note the book's scandalous content and gossipy tone, with many questioning its historical accuracy. What readers liked: - Raw, uncensored glimpses into old Hollywood - Compelling writing style that "reads like a tabloid" - Rare photographs of movie stars - Dark humor and irreverent approach What readers disliked: - Multiple factual errors and unverified claims - Mean-spirited tone toward deceased celebrities - Lack of source citations - Poor photo reproduction quality in newer editions On Goodreads, "Hollywood Babylon" maintains a 3.8/5 rating from over 4,000 reviews. Amazon reviews average 4.1/5 across all editions. Common review comments include "take it with a grain of salt" and "entertaining but unreliable." A reader on LibraryThing notes: "It's like reading the National Enquirer from the 1920s - fun but probably fiction." Another on Amazon states: "The stories are outrageous and the photos are amazing, but don't cite this in your research paper."

Hollywood Babylon (1959) A collection of scandalous Hollywood stories and gossip from the silent film era through the 1950s, mixing documented incidents with rumors and speculation about celebrity lives and deaths.

Hollywood Babylon II (1984) A continuation of the first volume, covering additional Hollywood scandals and controversies from the 1920s to the 1970s, with a similar blend of verified events and unsubstantiated claims.

Kenneth Anger's Hollywood Babylon: The Legendary Underground Classic of Hollywood's Darkest and Best Kept Secrets (1975) An expanded and illustrated edition of the original Hollywood Babylon, featuring additional photographs and updated content about Golden Age Hollywood scandals.

William S. Burroughs wrote experimental novels that blend occult themes with social critique and drew from similar countercultural movements as Anger. His work "Cities of the Red Night" incorporates magical practices and underground sexuality in ways that parallel Anger's aesthetic approach.

Peter Levenda researches and writes extensively about occult history and its intersection with politics and pop culture. His "Sinister Forces" trilogy explores Hollywood's connection to the occult and intelligence communities, covering similar territory as "Hollywood Babylon."

Aleister Crowley developed the religious philosophy that directly influenced Anger's artistic vision and personal beliefs. His writings on ceremonial magic and Thelema provide context for the occult symbolism present throughout Anger's films and books.

David Skal examines Hollywood history through a dark lens, focusing on horror films and cultural anxieties. His book "The Monster Show" analyzes film history's hidden stories and scandals with an approach similar to Anger's Hollywood exposés.

Jean Cocteau created avant-garde films that merge surrealism with personal mythology and symbolic imagery. His work in experimental cinema during the 1930s-1950s established techniques and themes that Anger would later develop in his own films.