Customer Reviews

The Very Breast of Russ Meyer (Ultrascreen Series)

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While the title is the sort of pun that Meyer would have savored, it will no doubt keep away the very film snobs who need a book like this. A better title? THE RUSS MEYER READER. The editor collects a series of reviews, essays, and interviews covering all of Meyer's films and career. Some pieces are glowing, some are critical, and the result is a richly textured -- and sometimes off-putting -- portrait of the maverick filmmaker. There still is a better book on Meyer out there, waiting to be written, but this will always be an essential companion to any Meyer fan.

Kudos to Paul A. Woods for compiling what is the glossiest, most enjoyable Russ Meyer book to date; a detailed round-up of articles and interviews spanning the great filmmaker's entire professional life. This includes much valuable and insightful info from such experts on RM as David K. Frasier, Danny Peary, and Roger Ebert, to name but a few.

But the piece de resistance, without a doubt, is Jonathan Ross' lengthy but lively, hilarious, and even affectionate interview with Meyer towards the end of the book.

Everything you could want to know about Russ Meyer's films and working methods is in this one book, a great deal of it in his own words (a personal preference of mine when it comes to books like these). Oddly enough, there are fewer photos here of the notorious Russ Meyer Babes than in other books, but the few that are here are of course excellent and definitely rare.

As another reviewer pointed out, the title could easily have been the Russ Meyer Reader, since it's an ideal companion when watching the films, but, as any fan knows, with Russ Meyer the breast-puns are pretty much obligatory!

I recall this book being delayed about 3 years from its original release date but it was SO worth the wait. Another essential purchase for RM fans, beautifully capturing the master's uniquely warped - but lusty and good-humoured - universe. I'd go so far as to say it's a more cohesive, satisfying work than RM's own autobiography....and it's certainly easier to carry!!

Russ Meyer and my father grew up together, taking turns guarding the storeroom door at the Alameda Naval Air Station so no one would find out they had females in the area. I spent a Christmas or two with Russ, and was present when he filmed Lorna up in the San Joaquin delta where he spent a few weeks at the Boondox and staying on our boat. I have all the books, and all the unopened sealed movies, and the absolute best book on "the man" written by himself at the end. Didn't make the Hollywood spectacle funeral, but was at the burial in Stockton and it was truly a sad moment to watch such an icon put to a final rest. I feel absolute certain......tits up.