Lenny Bruce in 'Lenny Bruce' [Lenny Bruce]

New York: Film-Makers' Distribution Center, 1967. Vintage two-color flyer designed by artist George Maciunas, for one night of screenings of the 1967 documentary at the Village Theatre, presented by Jonas Mekas and the Film-Makers' Distribution Center to benefit the Film-Maker's Fund, presented here under the title "Lenny Bruce."

A wonderful confluence of three iconic revolutionaries in their field. The striking graphic, comprised of red and black text, was designed by Fluxus artist Maciunas for Mekas and his organization, the Film-Makers' Cinematheque, to announce two benefit screenings of Bruce's eponymous 1967 film at the Village Theatre on February 17, 1967. Hosted by Mekas to benefit the Film-Makers' Fund, an organization established by the Film-Makers' Cinematheque to help fund independent filmmakers, the screenings were also a tribute to Bruce, who died only six months earlier. As stated on the delightfully worded flyer, "Lenny, who was rarely satisfied with any of his work called this 'maybe the best thing I've ever done'. He wanted it be called simply 'Lenny Bruce'. He hoped it would be shown unedited, unexpurgated. It will be." Mekas honored Bruce's wishes, and it was.

Alternately known as "The Lenny Bruce Performance Film" and "Lenny Bruce in 'Lenny Bruce'," the documentary captures Bruce's penultimate nightclub performance, a year before his death, unedited, and is the only live performance of Bruce captured on film. Filmed at San Francisco's Basin Street West in August 1965 after a lengthy and costly obscenity trial (which he lost), Bruce's performance largely eschews his comic 'bits,' instead concentrating on the absurdity and hypocrisy of the trial and the charges, often reading allegations and transcripts from the trial and refuting them.

8.5 x 8.25 inches. Near Fine.

[Book #158065]