The Lost Films of Charles Ludlam

Monday, February 22, 2010

Presented by musician Antony!

For years singer/songwriter Antony Hegarty (Antony & the Johnsons) dreamed of seeing THE SORROWS OF DOLORES and MUSEUM OF WAX, the rare 16mm films by the legendary gay playwright and Ridiculous Theatrical Company director Charles Ludlam. We contacted Ludlam’s surviving partner Everett Quinton (the host of a marvelous Queer/Art/Film screening last Fall) who told us that the films were just sitting there on a shelf in his closet. Now we have made a digital transfer of both of the prints and are thrilled to take a first look at them with Antony as our guest host. THE SORROWS OF DOLORES is a feature based on early silent serials like The Perils of Pauline, while the MUSEUM OF WAX is a short horror film starring Ludlam. Both films feature regular Ridiculous cast members like Everett Quinton, Minette, “Crazy Arthur” Kraft, Lola Pashilinski, John D. Brockmeyer, and Black-Eyed Susan. Begun in the late 1970s and still uncompleted at the time of Ludlam’s death from AIDS in 1987, these films have only been screened 3 or 4 times for private audiences. Antony Hegarty will introduce the screening and participate with a Q&A along with Everett Quinton.

Antony on Ludlam:

“Charles Ludlam is one of those people who, had he survived the AIDS epidemic, would be at the forefront of those shaping our collective NYC consciousness today with his art and commentary. Our loss. As a student I always wanted to see the unscreened 16mm films of Charles Ludlam, stowed away in some glittering watercloset, paralyzed in some penultimate state. Twenty years later they are discovered sitting on Everett Quinton’s shelf, patiently awaiting inquiry. With his kind permission, they have been transferred to a digital format, with hopes of inciting interest in the two films’ restoration. Could this actually be the New York City premiere of THE SORROWS OF DOLORES and MUSEUM OF WAX, the 2 long lost celluloid adventures of legendary playwright and actor Charles Ludlam?”

• Country USA
• Rating NR
• Running Time 90 minutes
• Director Charles Ludlam

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.