Towers Open Fire (Mystic Fire Collection)
Screened in November 2010

Photo © 1989 Mystic Fire Video
Towers Open Fire (1963)
Director: Antony Balch and William Burroughs. Cast: William Burroughs, Antony Balch, Alexander Trocchi, Bachoo Sen, David Jacobs. Screenplay: William Burroughs.
You can't deny your blood, kid, you're white, white, white - Stock market crash - diff drug symptoms - WB looking like hiphop DJ @ turntable, ordering "Towers Open Fire"; Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: C–


Photo © 1989 Mystic Fire Video
The Cut-Ups (1966)
Director: Antony Balch. Cast: William Burroughs, Byron Gysin. Screenplay: Antony Balch and William Burroughs.
Yes / Hello x infinity; Does it seem to be persisting?; Look at that picture; does it seem to be persisting? Where are we now? / Good - thank you - / a doctor examining blond boy's abdomen in hotel room with slatted screens; Last lines: Look at that picture. Very good, thank you. Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B


Photo © 1989 Mystic Fire Video
Bill and Tony (1972)
Director: Anthony Balch. Cast: William Burroughs, Antony Balch. Screenplay: Antony Balch and William Burroughs.
Two shot where they swap identities; WB then AB read as floating heads (color) against black bg; "We didn't lie to you, ladies and gentlemen"; AB reads WB's earlier dialogue, with WB's face seeming to speak it; then reverse; inside of his forehead; former "beautiful wom-man" who is now the greatest monstrosity of all time?; Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B


Photo © 1989 Mystic Fire Video
William Buys a Parrot (1963)
Director: Antony Balch. Short silent film featuring William Burroughs.
Boy, is he bleached white; cockatoo, really; Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: C–




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