Trash *** (1970, Joe Dallesandro, Holly Woodlawn, Geri Miller) – Classic Movie Review 3136

Writer-cinematographer-director Paul Morrissey follows up Flesh (1968) for producer Andy Warhol with this second fresh and funny slice of lowlife drama in 1970, again starring Joe Dallesandro as a good-looking lowlife.

This time he plays Joe Smith, who is the object of the amorous intentions of everyone in the movie. But, unfortunately, his drug-addled lifestyle has rendered him incapable of sex. It is also the story of Joe’s lover and protector Holly Sandiago (Holly Woodlawn). The duo set up home in a Lower East Side basement, Holly cruises the Fillmore East and scavenges garbage cans, while Joe journeys in search of trash.

Morrissey’s sad but hilarious attack on respectable morality is unnerving in its willingness to approach things many people would rather not talk about. Dallesandro is as beautiful and vacant looking as any man can be. The daring and idiosyncratic film flaunts its harsh edges, amateurish status and low production values, which somehow makes it work and also makes it all the more charming.

Also in the cast are Geri Miller (returning from Flesh) as Geri the go-go dancer, Bruce Pecheur, Jane Forth, Michael Sklar, Andrea Feldman, Diane Podel, John Putnam, Roberto D’Alessandro and Jane Forth.

Future star Sissy Spacek is a barroom extra.

Holly Woodlawn died of cancer on December 6, 2015, aged 69. The legendary Lou Reed song ‘Take a Walk on the Wild Side’ refers to Holly, indelibly imprinting her story on American pop culture: ‘Holly came from Miami, F.L.A.; Hitch-hiked her way across the U.S.A. Plucked her eyebrows on the way; Shaved her legs and then he was a she. She says, “Hey, babe, Take a walk on the wild side.”’

Follow-up: Heat (1972).

© Derek Winnert 2015 Classic Movie Review 3136

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