Youth in Babylon: Confessions of a Trash-Film King

By David F. Friedman

Book Overview

They sold sin and sensation with the magic words "Uncut Uncensored Adults Only " and the most happily shameless of them all was David F. Friedman, the emperor of "exploitation" films. Friedman perfected the fine art of sleaze and delightfully admits that he has hurled more garbage at the public than anyone else before or since. This book is as much his story as it is the history of an idea that in recent times has enjoyed a remarkable rebirth.Friedman writes with gusto of the glory days when there were taboos to be broken and untold amounts of money to be made. He fondly remembers his cinematic forebears, who sold titillation under the guise of moral instruction. Friedman brought the genre to new highs (and lows), producing such films as She Freak, Blood Feast, The Defilers, Scum of the Earth, Space Thing, Color Me Blood Red, and the classic Two Thousand Maniacs. Whether sexy, gory, or merely shocking, these films played for years to packed theaters and drive-ins.Though Friedman is considered a folk-hero of the sexual revolution, it was when the "adults only" business lost its uncertain innocence and the movies really began to get dirty that he lost all interest. Hardcore porn - ritualized, explicit, and deadly serious - pulled the rug out from under the adult-film industry and, according to Friedman, ended the fun. For Friedman really did have fun - never more than when he was perpetrating a con or flying in the face of convention.This book captures the core of basic integrity, the wicked sense of humor, and the unerring sense of showmanship of this American original. A Youth in Babylon is the definitive book on the history of American "exploitation" films and a unique contribution to motion picture history.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1573922366
• ISBN13: 9781573922364
• Release Date: August 1998
• Publisher: Prometheus Books
• Length: 355 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Indispensable look at the history of Exploitation- Fun to read!

David F. Friedman's extraordinarily entertaining biography traces not only his colorful life, but also the the history of exploitation from side show carnivals to the independent, drive-in movies that titillated and educated generations of the American public. You won't find a single classic film discussed here, but you will finish the book with a unique admiration for these crazy movies, and an even greater respect for those who pulled the strings to make them. Friedman's narrative moves with speed and grace; it's funny, ironic, and alway informative. I'll even go so far as to say, Friedman's insight packs a significant wallop, a jolt of carny wisdom that would serve any independent artist struggling today with all the conditions of production, marketing, and distribution. I recommend this book without hesitation.

King of the Carnival Barkers

David Friedman made his mark on exploitation cinema in the 50s and 60s with partner H.G. Lewis, but his roots go back to roadshowing and carnivals. His stories about Kroger Babb and the 40 Thieves are priceless. The book is kind of all over the place structurally, but it's worth reading. I had the opportunity to talk to H.G. Lewis recently about Friedman and Babb recently -- check out the MAD DOG MOVIES Podcast #7 to hear more!

Tall tales but true!

You can't help but love this book if you have any appreciation for trashy cinema and exploitation. Friedman lays out his whole life story and then some, giving a hilarious insight into the birth of low budget and sleaze cinema in the US. As another reviewer noted, it is impossible to tell what percentage of tales in the book are fact. Nevertheless it makes for a great read on a neglected area of modern culture, as well as providing a fascinating profile of a very interesting character!

With it and for it!

How factual is A Youth In Babylon? Considering Friedman is one of film's sweetest talking showmen, that's hard to say. But you're not going to get a first-hand account of working with Kroger Babb and H. G. Lewis, no matter how puffed up it may sound, anywhere else. In the end, like any well delivered Elliott Forbes routine, you'll feel inspired! It may be bull, but it's still quite entertaining.