The Ghastly One by Jimmy McDonough

Andy Milligan, perhaps the most compelling lone wolf in cinema history, gets his due in this definitive work. A director, as well as dressmaker, actor, and puppeteer, Milligan cranked out explosive titles like Bloodthirsty Butchers, The Body Beneath, and The Rats Are Coming! The Werewolves Are Here! on threadbare budgets. Biographer and journalist Jimmy McDonough’s book serves as a history of not only the shadowy New York City sexploitation business but also the Caffe Cino—a tiny storefront café many consider to be the beginning of Off-Off Broadway theater in America. Starring a cast of unforgettable, elusive characters, the gripping narrative turns grimly personal, and it’s told with unflinching honesty. Hilarious at times, deeply unsettling, and ultimately heartbreaking, The Ghastly One will haunt you long after the last page.