The Films of Mario Montez

Thursday, May 20, 2010 | 8pm | $5

Mario Montez graced first the Bridge screen last June in Jose Rodriquez Soltero’s Lupe, wooing the film crew with his vintage cocktail dresses, laconic humor and gorgeous white cat. This May 20th at 8pm, we’ll give him the top billing he deserves.

When Jack Smith discovered him he was “Rene Rivera”, a Puerto-Rican postal worker living in Manhattan. Taking his name in homage to the Dominican actress Maria Montez, he first appeared on screen in Jack Smith’s Flaming Creatures (1962-63). Later he became Andy Warhol’s first drag superstar, starring in more than ten of his films. Montez was also a favorite of underground theater, appearing regularly in Theatre of the Ridiculous productions by Charles Ludlam, Ronald Tavel and John Vaccaro.