Know this right upfront - this is definitely a biased review.
Having written about and worked with Mike McCarthy (AKA John Michael McCarthy, J. Michael McCarthy, JMM, depending at what point in his career you discover him), it's no surprise that I would claim to be an enthusiastic fan of his work.
McCarthy is a Memphis-based artist who first made his name in underground comix and was able to transfer and adapt his style to film. TEENAGE TUPELO, his second feature film, is celebrated - nay, enshrined - in a large-format release (AKA 'coffee-table book') from Fantagraphics Underground. And while it goes into exhaustive detail on the making of the film, it also functions as a celebration of American Pop Culture and a veneration of Family Created.
TT the film - shot on Super-8 film in the early 90s, is McCarthy's fictional (w/elements of semi-autobiography) take on his origin story - the main character, D'Lana Fargo, is knocked-up by has-been local singer, Johnny Tu-Note who's back from an Army stint overseas and wanting to make a comeback and D'Lana's pregnancy is a problem, as well as a problem for D'Lana's mother, who sets up an adoption with a local couple, the McCarthy's. Adrift with no allies, D'Lana falls in with Thee Madd, Madd Man-Haters, a local lesbian trio/gang who are ardent fans of sexploitation actress Topsy-Turvy, who D'Lana more than resembles. It's a film with many layers - a pastiche of the exploitation dramas of the late 50s/early 60s, also incorporating a Scopitone and nudie-cuties; some side-eyed Elvis history/mythology
As a tagline for the film states - "Everything Revealed! Nothing Explained!" Well, that changes with the book...
Comprised of interviews, articles, reviews and essays (some newly written specifically for the book), it goes into practically every aspect of TT and its creator; the production and post-production - the music by Impala gets close attention with remembrances by band members of the music scene at the time and recording sessions for the film; 'The Gospelvis' and reception of the film at the time as a new release by Something Weird Video.
And pictures. Lots and LOTS of pictures. Even better, lots and lots and LOTS of pictures of the 'starlets' in the film - Dawn Ashcroft (McCarthy's wife at the time), Kristen Hobbs, Sophie Couch and - D'Lana Tunnell! As well as behind-the-scenes pix, candid shots - it's also a good pictorial history of early 90s Memphis cultural scene.
All of that alone would justify the book - cultural history and some 90s cheesecake, and none of it is disappointing - but it's the last third that raises it from just an archive of an obscure cult film into a genuinely affecting affirmation of Family - the one that you originate from and the one you create along the way. Both Tunnell and McCarthy are adopted children and both give their account of growing up, discovering their origins and the aftermaths of discovery...
It has a hefty price - $75 - but the quality of the content and binding makes it more than worth the price.
If all of this sounds enticing to you, what would be even better would be having the actual film to view! Fortunately, TEENAGE TUPELO is available on blu-ray directly from McCarthy - packed out with a director's commentary, photo galleries, a selection of McCarthy's short films and documentaries. It makes a great introduction to McCarthy, if you're not familiar with his other films like SUPERSTARLET A.D., CIGARETTE GIRL, DAMSELVIS - DAUGHTER OF HELVIS (available on blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome/Saturn's Core) and THE SORE LOSERS (also available directly from McCarthy in a 3-disc blu-ray/DVD/CD edition).
