Scorpio Rising (1964)

An army of gay/nazi bikers make their engines roar and ride the way to pain/pleasure as sexual and sadistic symbols are intercut into the dazing chaos and rhythmic experiences of this ... See full summary »

Director:

Kenneth Anger

Writer:

Ernest D. Glucksman

Stars:

Ernie Allo, Bruce Byron, Frank Carifi

Cast

Uncredited cast:
Ernie Allo	...	Joker (uncredited)
Bruce Byron	...	Scorpio (uncredited)
Frank Carifi	...	Leo (uncredited)
Steve Crandell	...	Blondie (uncredited)
Johnny Dodds	...	Kid (uncredited)
Bill Dorfman	...	Back (uncredited)
Nelson Leigh	...	Jesus Christ (archive footage) (uncredited)
John Palone	...	Pinstripe (uncredited)
Barry Rubin	...	Fall Guy (uncredited)
Johnny Sapienza	...	Taurus (uncredited)

Storyline

An army of gay/nazi bikers make their engines roar and ride the way to pain/pleasure as sexual and sadistic symbols are intercut into the dazing chaos and rhythmic experiences of this underground film by cult director Anger.

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Plot Keywords:

underground film | biker | no dialogue | accidental death | gay | 

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Genres:

Short

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 October 1969 (Denmark)

Also Known As:

Skorpionen

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Puck Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

28 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Most of the young men in the film were Italian-Americans from Brooklyn who worked during the day at the Fulton Fish Market in Manhattan, (the central location for New York City's fish wholesalers), doing heavy physical labor. Their priorities in spending their money were: motorcycles first, girlfriends second! The man with a very muscular body in the "Blue Velvet" sequence was, however, a visiting biker from Canada.

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Connections

Featured in Anger Me (2006)

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Soundtracks

" (You're The) Devil in Disguise"
(uncredited)
Written by Bernie Baum, Bill Giant and Florence Kaye
Performed by Elvis Presley

User Reviews

Blue Velvet Underground

One of Kenneth Anger's most popular and thematically accessible short films, "Scorpio Rising" consists of a series of montage images overlain by thirteen pop songs of the early 1960s. The film expresses nonconformist themes that herald the onset of the American counterculture movement. As the visuals focus on a group of New York City motorcyclists, viewers perceive a bohemian lifestyle, a nihilistic subtext, elements of erotica, and an amusing sense of irony from the juxtaposition of images and music.

There is no plot, no dialogue, no sets, no acting. Anger simply records on camera what he finds as he happens onto these bikers, who are not actors. Sans music, the film could easily be thought of as a polished home movie. It conveys a sense of realism and frankness. Cinematography is somewhat grainy; colors are muted. There are many close-up camera shots, and quite a few extreme close-ups.

The music gives thematic depth to the images and imposes varying moods and feelings, not the least of which is nostalgia, along with melancholy, lost childhood, rebellion, humor, and just a hint of fatalism. Probably one of the better sequences is the Bobby Vinton recording of "Blue Velvet" recorded over images of a couple of young guys who don their biker uniforms. A sequence or two in the middle seems either unnecessary or out of place. Editing is a bit fast and erratic in the second half.

Prospective viewers should expect the unexpected, given that "Scorpio Rising" is a 1960s underground film. It is definitely different. This is one of several that Anger made, all experimental. In retrospect, he can be thought of as a poetic visionary whose cultural influence is still being felt in the 21st century, especially in cinema.