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California Infernal - Anton LaVey & Jayne Mansfield, as portrayed by Walter Fischer
Movie star Jayne Mansfield and notorious Satanist Anton LaVey met in 1966. Both were publicity conscious and made the most of the meetings, which evolved into friendship. Almost always present was German paparazzo Walter Fischer, stationed in Hollywood and catering to image- and scandal-hungry photo magazines all over the world.
Fischer’s unique collection of photos takes us straight into the ritual chamber of the Church of Satan in LaVey’s infamous “black house” in San Francisco, as well as into Mansfield’s Hollywood “pink palace”. We also get to follow LaVey on excursions to his friend Forrest “Famous Monsters of Filmland” Ackerman, to Marilyn Monroe’s grave, to TV studios and back to Satanic weddings and Zeena's baptism at the Church of Satan HQ.
These were wild and narcissistic times in America. Few understood the power of media exposure better than Jayne Mansfield and Anton LaVey. Captured alone or together by master paparazzo Walter Fischer, this devilishly handsome couple made headlines that still resonate today.
The book also contains an introduction by legendary filmmaker Kenneth Anger, and forewords by writer Carl Abrahamsson and collector Alf Wahlgren.
Fischer’s unique collection of photos takes us straight into the ritual chamber of the Church of Satan in LaVey’s infamous “black house” in San Francisco, as well as into Mansfield’s Hollywood “pink palace”. We also get to follow LaVey on excursions to his friend Forrest “Famous Monsters of Filmland” Ackerman, to Marilyn Monroe’s grave, to TV studios and back to Satanic weddings and Zeena's baptism at the Church of Satan HQ.
These were wild and narcissistic times in America. Few understood the power of media exposure better than Jayne Mansfield and Anton LaVey. Captured alone or together by master paparazzo Walter Fischer, this devilishly handsome couple made headlines that still resonate today.
The book also contains an introduction by legendary filmmaker Kenneth Anger, and forewords by writer Carl Abrahamsson and collector Alf Wahlgren.
Hardcover
First published May 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 20, 2018
The thing that strikes me is just how young LaVey and Mansfield look in these photos. He's never particularly scary in his opera cape. She's never dressed tastefully or comfortably at the same time. They seem like they enjoyed each other's company. The parties at the black mansion looked cramped and awkward, with people jammed together on uncomfortable folding chairs. Even the naked girls look awkward. Looking through the photos, I keep wishing someone would make a LaVey bio pic, but who would shave his head and take so much glee in the role as LaVey did himself?
December 7, 2017
An amazing photographic look into an magical era that is long gone. I'm certainly glad a less expensive second edition has been made available.
July 3, 2020
This momentous gallery artbook eerily arrives in the wake of The Brody Curse anniversary; here appropriately divided into Nine parts, for a most pleasing perusal...
I. THE BLACK HOUSE: Photography at The Black House events during the formative and emergent stages of the Church of Satan, from Magic Circle lectures, workshops, and demonstrations. Also includes appearances by Togare!
II. SATANIC BAPTISM: Candid photos from The Satanic Baptism of LaVey's 2nd daughter, attracting worldwide attention & media coverage. Greater details of the infernal progeny Baphomet designed by Survivalist & Satanist member Kurt Saxon.
III. TONY & FORRY: LaVey visits "Uncle Forrey" Forrest Ackerman at the legendary Ackermansion for a thrilling time! Touring the veritable Horror museum! Regaled with tales of monsters, fascinating trivia, technical details, personal relations, a plethora or props, posters, books, statuary, masks, costumes, in a maze of wonder and mystery!
IV. MARILYN MONROE: A visit to her grave marker at Westwood. A contemplative appearance to a former love.
V. EXPOSURE: Some of LaVey's media appearances including the notorious Joe Pyne & Lou Gordon Shows. Backstage, promotional, etc.
VI. JAYNE MANSFIELD: Witch Jayne participating in Satanic ritual. LaVey attends a gala event with Jayne in full Sorcerer's accouterments, establishing connections to further infamy and influence.
VII. AT THE PINK PALACE: LaVey visits Jayne's place, The Pink Palace for a playful romp about the grounds, including the weightroom and pool. Photos of her family, pets, and retainers.
VIII. JAYNE MANSFIELD'S FUNERAL: No pictures of LaVey in this segment, lends that he may not have attended, which is understandable, for the concern is for her birth, life, and involvements.
IX. PORTRAITS: Several more fantastic images at The Black House in full regalia; also includes the lecture itinerary at the end, and several items of ephemera, including those infamous red cards!
Presented in a Hellegant hardcover coffeetable style tome with a decorative collage inner-cover setting, CALINFERNAL chronicles The Church of Satan's formative periods of emergence and religious r/evolution, offering an intimate look at Magus LaVey's media manipulations, profound rites and philosophy, and personal relation exhibitions. Also features an introduction by contemporary acquaintance Kenneth Anger, and afterwords by Carl Abrahamsson & Alf Wahlgren. ∞
I. THE BLACK HOUSE: Photography at The Black House events during the formative and emergent stages of the Church of Satan, from Magic Circle lectures, workshops, and demonstrations. Also includes appearances by Togare!
II. SATANIC BAPTISM: Candid photos from The Satanic Baptism of LaVey's 2nd daughter, attracting worldwide attention & media coverage. Greater details of the infernal progeny Baphomet designed by Survivalist & Satanist member Kurt Saxon.
III. TONY & FORRY: LaVey visits "Uncle Forrey" Forrest Ackerman at the legendary Ackermansion for a thrilling time! Touring the veritable Horror museum! Regaled with tales of monsters, fascinating trivia, technical details, personal relations, a plethora or props, posters, books, statuary, masks, costumes, in a maze of wonder and mystery!
IV. MARILYN MONROE: A visit to her grave marker at Westwood. A contemplative appearance to a former love.
V. EXPOSURE: Some of LaVey's media appearances including the notorious Joe Pyne & Lou Gordon Shows. Backstage, promotional, etc.
VI. JAYNE MANSFIELD: Witch Jayne participating in Satanic ritual. LaVey attends a gala event with Jayne in full Sorcerer's accouterments, establishing connections to further infamy and influence.
VII. AT THE PINK PALACE: LaVey visits Jayne's place, The Pink Palace for a playful romp about the grounds, including the weightroom and pool. Photos of her family, pets, and retainers.
VIII. JAYNE MANSFIELD'S FUNERAL: No pictures of LaVey in this segment, lends that he may not have attended, which is understandable, for the concern is for her birth, life, and involvements.
IX. PORTRAITS: Several more fantastic images at The Black House in full regalia; also includes the lecture itinerary at the end, and several items of ephemera, including those infamous red cards!
Presented in a Hellegant hardcover coffeetable style tome with a decorative collage inner-cover setting, CALINFERNAL chronicles The Church of Satan's formative periods of emergence and religious r/evolution, offering an intimate look at Magus LaVey's media manipulations, profound rites and philosophy, and personal relation exhibitions. Also features an introduction by contemporary acquaintance Kenneth Anger, and afterwords by Carl Abrahamsson & Alf Wahlgren. ∞
March 5, 2017
A strange book of rare photographs by Walter Fischer, a German photographer well-known in the 1950s and '60s, mostly of Anton LaVey and various people, notably Jayne Mansfield. LaVey was a former police crime photographer and lion tamer who founded the "Church of Satan" in San Francisco in 1966. While not believing in an actual supernatural "Satan", the "church" believed in "indulgence not abstinence" among other things. Most of the photographs are interesting, although the "rituals" (shocking in the '60s) look mostly boring today; straight looking middle class people in sport coats and dresses watching LaVey do his kooky antics with swords and masks, etc. Jayne Mansfield was apparently quite taken with LaVey and there was the rumor of some sort of romantic affair. At any rate, they hung out a lot in the summer of 1967 before Mansfield's untimely death in a car accident. Mariska Hargitay, her 3 year old daughter, who would go on to star in "Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" for years is featured in some of the family shots of Mansfield. There is one chapter devoted to photos of LaVey with Forrest J. Ackerman. Ackerman was a legend among horror movie fans because of his iconic magazine "Famous Monsters of Filmland" which ran from 1958 to 1983. LaVey was a huge fan, and both he and Ackerman were pictured at Ackerman's house in Los Angeles which was mostly a museum to old time science fiction and horror film memorabilia. Another chapter shows LaVey's "Satanic baptism" of his daughter Zeena.
It was never entirely clear whether Anton LaVey was serious or just having a huge goof on everyone. These pictures prove nothing but show that it looked like it must have a been kind of a fun ride; (he kept a lion in his basement until her roaring annoyed everyone too much.)
It was never entirely clear whether Anton LaVey was serious or just having a huge goof on everyone. These pictures prove nothing but show that it looked like it must have a been kind of a fun ride; (he kept a lion in his basement until her roaring annoyed everyone too much.)
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews