Incredibly Strange Films

RE/Search No. 10: Incredibly Strange Films is a comprehensive guide to American underground and experimental cinema published in 1985, with an expanded edition released in 1986. The book was edited by Jim Morton and Boyd Rice as part of the RE/Search series under V. Vale and Andrea Juno's direction. The volume features in-depth coverage of cult filmmakers including Russ Meyer, Herschell Gordon Lewis, Ed Wood, and Doris Wishman. It examines multiple niche genres such as exploitation films, women in prison films, mondo films, beach party movies, and educational films, providing context and analysis for each category. The book combines interviews, essays, and critical analysis to document these overlooked corners of cinema history. Key films discussed include Young Playthings, Wizard of Gore, God Told Me To, and Spider Baby. This influential text helped establish legitimacy for many previously dismissed films and filmmakers, highlighting the cultural significance of underground cinema movements from the 1950s through the 1970s. Its examination of alternative filmmaking practices reveals important counterpoints to mainstream Hollywood production.

Readers value this book as a historical snapshot of exploitation and B-movie culture from the 1980s, particularly appreciating the in-depth interviews with directors like Frank Henenlotter and Larry Cohen. Many note that the black and white photos and DIY punk aesthetic capture the spirit of underground cinema. What readers liked: - Raw, unpolished interview style - Focus on lesser-known filmmakers - Behind-the-scenes production details - RE/Search's independent publishing approach What readers disliked: - Limited scope of films covered - Print quality of some photos - Book's rarity and high resale prices - Lack of index or organized structure Ratings: Goodreads: 4.12/5 (85 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (12 ratings) Notable review: "More like a fanzine than an academic text, which is exactly what makes it valuable" - Goodreads reviewer The book is currently out of print, with used copies selling for $50-200.

Midnight Movies by J. Hoberman, Jonathan Rosenbaum The book presents a scholarly examination of six landmark underground films including Eraserhead and Rocky Horror Picture Show, providing cultural context for the midnight movie phenomenon.

Sleazoid Express by Bill Landis, Michelle Clifford Chronicles the grindhouse theater scene of 1970s Times Square through detailed accounts of exploitation films and the culture surrounding their exhibition.

Bold! Daring! Shocking! True!: A History of Exploitation Films by Eric Schaefer Maps the evolution of exploitation cinema from 1919 to 1959 through documentation of production methods, distribution networks, and audience reception.

Killing for Culture by David Kerekes Examines the mondo film genre and death documentaries through historical research and analysis of key works like Faces of Death.

American Grindhouse by Eddie Muller Documents the rise and fall of exploitation cinema through profiles of key producers, theaters, and films that defined the grindhouse era.

🎬 V. Vale founded the influential punk magazine Search & Destroy before launching RE/Search Publications, which became a cornerstone of underground culture documentation 📽️ The book was published in 1986 and helped legitimize academic study of exploitation cinema when most film scholars dismissed these movies as lowbrow entertainment 🎥 Many of the interviewed filmmakers like Russ Meyer and Doris Wishman worked with budgets under $50,000, often filming entire features in just a few days 🌟 The volume helped preserve firsthand accounts from pioneer exploitation directors, many of whom passed away in the decades following its publication 🎞️ The book's release coincided with the home video boom of the 1980s, which gave many of these obscure films new life through VHS distribution and midnight movie screenings