Phallic Frenzy: Ken Russell and His Films

by Joseph Lanza

Ken Russell has made some of the most daring, disturbing, and beautifully photographed films of all time. Drawing from a wealth of historic and literary references, Russell’s subjects are astounding: deranged Ursuline nuns in a 17th-century French province, the inner demons of Mary Shelley and Lord Byron, the sexual angst of Tchaikovsky, the emotionally drained life of Rudolph Valentino, the messianism of a pinball wizard, the fury of lesbian vampires, the introspections of prostitutes. Russell’s movies offer not just brazen sensationalism but food for thought; they horrify yet inspire. And through it all, Russell maintains a simultaneously impish and intellectual sense of humor.

            The first full biography of the director, Phallic Frenzy is far from a dry, film-by-film analysis. It shows how Russell’s real life has often been as engaging and vibrant as his film scenarios. Here you’ll learn how Alan Bates and Oliver Reed compared their penis sizes for the nude wrestling scene in Women in Love; how Russell disfigured Paddy Chayevsky’s script for Altered States by having the actors holler out the lines as fast as possible, accompanied by spewed food and streams of spittle; and how Russell was slated to direct Evita, starring Liza Minnelli, and the “creative differences” that ensued. A madcap tale full of wild ideas, surreal situations, and a cavalcade of colorful personalities, Phallic Frenzy is as thrilling a ride as any Ken Russell film.

Genres: Film, Nonfiction, Biography

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Joseph Lanza is the author of several books with subjects ranging from popular music to obsessive film directors, including ELEVATOR MUSIC: A SURREAL HISTORY OF MUZAK, EASY-LISTENING, AND OTHER MOODSONG (University of Michigan Press) and PHALLIC FRENZY: KEN RUSSELL & HIS FILMS (Chicago Review Press, 2007) -- a psycho-sexual, hyper-humorous, biographical thriller celebrating the great director. He recently appeared as himself in the 2011 BBC4 documentary: THE JOY OF EASY LISTENING.

He recently contributed the essay "Foreground Flatland" in the OXFORD HANDBOOK OF NEW AUDIOVISUAL AESTHETICS (2013) and the CD booklet essay for "RONNIE DOVE: The Complete Original Chart Hits (1964-1969)" from Real Gone Music (2014).

His forthcoming book is entitled, THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE AND ITS TERRIFYING TIMES, from Skyhorse Publishing -- scheduled for release in mid-January 2019.

Reviews

[Bill Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

As modern film (and society) moves closer to a literal sensibility that can hardly see satire or parody, as left and right work actively to shut down dissenting or controversial views, as films become increasingly about actions and less about ideas, I fear Ken Russell's future reputation lies somewhere between disdain and obscurity. It's a shame, because the man made some of the liveliest films of his era, relentlessly outside most boundaries of aesthetics, narrative, and taste. Thank god someone was doing it!

This is a fair account of the life and work, written with a style that suits the subject but veers perhaps too often into a catty archness that isn't my taste in wit, though it certainly does a fine job of collecting Russell's own views of his work as well as the sparse professional assessments and the more common assaults of critical complaint. I learned many things I didn't know, gained some insights into favorite films like THE DEVILS and LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM, and found titles for some of the director's less available pieces that I can try to track down.

Recommended if you're a fan or looking for a director who challenges conventions.

[Zack Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent introduction to Russell and is as entertaining to read as is is academic. It's a great blend of biography and film-by-film analysis of Russell's major works, as well as television, opera and music video productions. The writing technique is interesting in that, much like Russell's "biographical" films that take huge liberties with the lives of historic figures, classical composers and film stars, it makes the reader wonder what is true and what is invented. The book has inspired me to both revisit films I'd seen and dismissed as well as to seek out the rarer titles in his filmography. One of the best filmmaker texts I have read! Plus, reading this in public will get you some really interesting reactions from folks confused by both its title and cover image!

[Jeff]

Ah ... Ken Russell . Need I say more ?

[Gregory Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Russellmania

My introduction to Ken Russell happened in the early 80's when Tommy aired on a cable movie channel. I had no idea who The Who were or who Ken Russell was but both triggered something in my young mind that both were to be followed. I caught every of his films whenever they played, but it wasn't until Crimes of Passion that I got to see one in a proper theatre, watching every one up to Whore (probably my least favourite of his films). I've had my eye on this book for a while. The title certainly grabs your attention, but it's not wholly misleading to the frequency of some phallic object appearing in one of his films. It starts as a conventional biography but once his career kicks into action his personal life becomes secondary. It's good if you only want to focus on the films themselves, but knowing what's happening to the creator during these periods can be just as interesting. There are brief mentions but it never goes into any depth. As a film study it should whet the appetite of any Ken Russell fan and might spur on the urge to rewatch some of the films---many I haven't seen in decades. There will never be another Ken Russell.

[Peter Melancon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not knowing much about Ken Russell, I found the book to be intriguing, since the books talk only about his films and the drama on and off stage it's a good in depth look at him, his relationship with actors, producers and film critics. He rally pushed the social norm and it's in that I find fascinating.

[Brian Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comprehensive about his films to be sure, but the plot summaries at the expense of production anecdotes or biographical details really wore on me. It didn’t seem like a book that should take two months to finish. I did greatly enjoy reading about Russell’s projects that never happened, such as Streisand as Sarah Bernhardt or adapting “Evita”. The man and his movies were flawed, but never boring.

[Raf Linmans · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is mostly based on interviews with Russell and key contributers to his movies. Not much personal stuff, it mostly concerns his professionql life (as the undertitle suggests). Good introduction to the cinematic world of Ken Russell.

[Pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a highly entertaining overview of the life and career of perhaps the most under-valued of all British filmmakers. Lanza captures the flamboyance and excess of Russell's films quite nicely and provides a decent and opinionated view of them. Those looking for analysis to help with a deeper understanding will find it rather light, but it works well as an enthusiastic introduction.

[Duncan · Rating 1 out of 5]

A disappointing book. A look at Ken Russell's life and films. The plots of the films are told in great detail but with very little analysis. Ken's life looks as if it is a rehashing of his autobiography. Ken Russell's films are crying out for an intelligent critique, sadly this is not the book.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on Ken Russell and his films. Wish there were better illustrations.

[Tom Newth · Rating 3 out of 5]

in imitation of the subject, frequently rather overwrought (and also rather patchy) but nice enough overview