Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream (2005)

From 1970-1977, six low budget films shown at midnight transformed the way we make and watch films.

Director:

Stuart Samuels

Writers:

Victor Kushmaniuk (additional writer), Stuart Samuels

Stars:

John Waters, Ben Barenholtz, Alejandro Jodorowsky

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Waters	...	Himself
Ben Barenholtz	...	Himself
Alejandro Jodorowsky	...	Himself (as Alexandro Jodorowsky)
Alan Douglas	...	Himself
J. Hoberman	...	Himself
Robert Shaye	...	Himself (as Bob Shaye)
George A. Romero	...	Himself (as George Romero)
Jonathan Rosenbaum	...	Himself
Bill Quigley	...	Himself
Larry Jackson	...	Himself
Seth Willenson	...	Himself
Chuck Zlatkin	...	Himself
Perry Henzell	...	Himself
Richard O'Brien	...	Himself
Jim Sharman	...	Himself (archive footage)

Storyline

Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream tells the hidden history of these landmark films, El Topo (1970), Night of the Living Dead (1968), The Harder They Come (1973), Pink Flamingos (1972), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), and Eraserhead (1977). The documentary includes in-depth interviews with the directors, producers, writers and actors who were part of these low-budget, yet monumental productions, the exhibitors and distributors who played them, and the audiences who viewed them.

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Plot Keywords:

night | audience | interview | 1970s | midnight movie | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 August 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kultfilmens mestre

Filming Locations:

Jamaica

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 671,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stuart Samuels Productions, Independent Film Channel (IFC) Canada, Movie Central Network

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

John Waters: [about Pink Flamingos] I was high when I wrote it. I was not high when I made it.

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Connections

References A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

User Reviews

This film renews my spirit in underground cinema1

I found this on my TV instead of another listed program and was quite happy the cable guide screwed up. A romp through some of my favorite spunk filled films of all time. the midnight film has a spirit that most films being released these days fail to capture. this was fun to view. Maybe I've heard the same words before but we could all use hearing these words again. Very inspiring. Love this stuff! John Waters, George A. Romero, and the Rocky Horror picture show. What else do I need to get my ass in gear to make another film. did I mention this is inspiring to those who love underground cinema. This ain't smut...this is art.