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:

4 February 1972 (Finland)

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

The bedroom in which the biker "Scorpio" (Bruce Byron) is seen, beginning with the "You Look like An Angel" sequence, was that person's actual apartment in Manhattan, which was full of Siamese cats. Kenneth Anger just brought in some lights and filmed whatever was there, just as it was. Byron owned a little black-and-white TV set which was switched on while Anger was filming, and the Marlon Brando motorcycle-gang movie The Wild One was actually playing on the television at the time, something that Anger has called a "magical coincidence." He filmed some images of the movie playing on the television, and later cut them into his own film.

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Connections

Features The Pilgrimage Play (1949)

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Soundtracks

"I Will Follow Him"
(uncredited)
Written by Jacques Plante, J.W. Stole, Del Roma, Arthur Altman and Norman Gimbel
Performed by Peggy March

User Reviews

One of the best experimental films ever shot

Kenneth Anger's "Scorpio Rising", set to the tune of thirteen 1960's pop songs, ranks as one of the best films ever shot in the experimental genres, which to some people might translate as the best pile of dog poop ever made, but in terms of visual imagery, context, and use of music, it ranks up there as one of the most important films of the 60's. Kenneth Anger's trademarks (outsider as protagonist, homosexual iconography, pop culture looked at in a different light) are at their most poignant here with most memorable scenes set to 'Blue Velvet", "I Will Follow Him", and "Wipe Out". Also classic is the use of clips from Cecil B. DeMille's "King of Kings" of Jesus and his disciples walking superimposed between shots of gay bikers. A classic piece of Americana.