Thoughts on "Inside The Manson Gang"- A Film by Robert Hendrickson

"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each others life."
-Richard Bach

"Family.... A group experience of love and support."
-Marianne Williamson

So after the conversation about Mark Ross the other day, I decided to go back and re-watch the "Inside the Manson Gang" DVD to refresh my memory. Since it is obvious from the conversation some of you have never seen it- I will pass on the notes about Ross, and some other things I thought were interesting....

I got the "Inside the Manson Gang" DVD with the "Manson" DVD as part of a Hendrickson package I ordered a few years back. As "Manson" was nominated for an Academy award and I never heard of the second movie - I assumed it would be mostly leftover footage that did not survive the cutting room. That may partially be the case. But, for someone like me- it really doesn't matter.  I could watch this stuff forever. I would watch every frame of film he took if I could. And actually- this focuses much more on the day to day life out at Spahn. The authentic footage of the natural setting and environment around the ranch, as well as the video of the family living as they were out there is mesmerizing to me. There is plenty here to see. They are filmed playing, partying, singing, swimming, and of course traveling in mass to the courthouse to pay homage to the King. Whereas "Manson" is more of a documentary with interviews and facts related to the crimes- this is a close- up look at life within the remaining family as it was. For those of you who would be interested in watching "Home movies" of life at Spahn Ranch- this is something you must see. Essentially- that is what most of this film is. There is some background on the times and on Hendrickson himself, but mostly this is a close up chance to see the Family "As it was". Groovy huh?? It was for me... I did notice a few things which bear mentioning and in no specific order here they are:

The guy in the pic at the top of this post who looks a little like James Brolin in Amityville Horror is Mark Ross. Hendrickson spends 10 minutes or so early in the movie explaining how he came across the family, and Ross was the guy who was responsible. Hendrickson describes him as a "Good friend", and also as the guy who was working as the lead actor in his second feature about the second coming. He explained at the time that Ross told him that he had a bunch of "Wannabee musicians" staying at his house. He also went on to say that Ross showed him the room where Zero killed himself and the gun he did it with. (Guess it was not taken into custody?) Mark Ross was the one who set up the filming. He said that Ross presented him an opportunity he couldn't pass up: An exclusive into the Manson Family. On the first night of filming they are inside of a tent or something and all the usual cast of characters are smoking a joint, and singing songs while Watkins play guitar and in the middle of it Ross shows up to a warm greeting and takes a seat in the circle.... Later Hendrickson mentions that after TLB, Ross said he was too fearful and never finished the project they had been working on. He also points out sarcastically that he didn't seem to afraid to finish the work they were doing on the "Family."  There is no doubt that Mark Ross was very close with, at least, the people living at Spahn after the arrests. He seemed very at home with them, and was in tight enough to be allowed to bring in friends with movie cameras. Hendrickson gives him full credit for making the introduction between himself and the "Family."

Which brings me to the next thing which stood out. For all the talk about Bruce, or anyone of the guys being second in command when Charlie was away... It was Squeaky who Hendrickson repeatedly had to wait on to go speak with Charlie for final approval on any issues which arose. From the original permission to film- to each day outside of the courthouse- the cameras seemed to be constantly showing Squeaky coming or going in to see Charlie for the final answer. At one point Hendrickson had to stop filming because Gypsy and Sandy were trying to take over direction of the filming. He demanded a meeting with Charlie in the clink. At this meeting Charlie told Gypsy to do whatever Hendrickson said, so Charlie seemed to be still calling most of the shots even while inside. At least during the filming of this Documentary. All decisions on where and how they could film where made by Charlie through jailhouse visits- most frequently done by Squeakster. But it was the women who seemed to be calling shots not Bruce or any of the men....

Heres another thing I noticed...Paul Watkins was back in the middle of things. He did the music with Brooks in the "Manson" Documentary, and was interviewed in a way which made me feel he was pro prosecution by this time, or at least working with them. However, here he is sitting in the middle of the party smoking weed and playing guitar while the others sing around him. No wonder he would later become a politician. This guy was adept at  playing both sides even back then..... 

As well- another prominent face in the middle of the partying and all the nudity is Juan Flynn. If you never read a book about the family and simply watch this video- you would walk away thinking he was as much a part of this family as any of them. He may have distanced himself later, and Bugs made him out to be one of the good guys, and maybe he really was. In this video he is certainly not showing any signs of being any different than the rest of them....

Hendrickson made 3 separate references to Bruce Davis possibly being the Zodiac. He asked at one point if he should just walk up to Bruce and ask him "How many people have you killed?" It is apparent that people have been suspicious of Bruce for almost 40 years.

Gyspy made a point of asking Hendrickson to make sure everyone knew they take baths like everybody else does. This tells me they weren't that out of it that they didn't recognize hygiene. They actually made a point of showing a couple of them bathing. So I am quite sure they got it even back then that it was a pretty filthy living they were doing. They had awareness of both the conditions and that people from outside were going to be critical of them....

BUT- Here I am going to stop. I am not going to go on my usual rant about the cleanliness and the kids/babies that were, as usual, there as well being filmed in all the elements. I am going to close with something different. I harp on the negatives enough and, like most of you, it is the spirit of the communal lifestyle which is interesting and even attractive to me. That is on full display here. So, let me give some props to some of  the family members who were shown in this film. These were some, beyond a doubt, unusual people who were zonked out of there minds on Acid, and a variety of other drugs. But, you cannot watch this film and not see the trust, love and respect for each other some of them had. Despite my protests about the living conditions- they were leading the lives they chose and were in a place which let them express themselves naturally and without pretense. These appear to be people living in harmony with each other. I  found myself envious at times watching them. They had a sense of freedom and ability to live without confining themselves to the expectations of others, which quite frankly, I will never posses. Absolutely there were some beautiful and peaceful moments between them. There were others here, besides the criminals, who were runaways and castoffs who didn't have many options. They were searching for the love and family all of us deserve. If they found it there with each other- and weren't hurting anyone else- Lets just say I should do a better job of understanding and respecting that sometimes. There were human beings living at Spahn Ranch. Sigh... Is this the time for me to make the joke about getting off my "High Horse?"  ;)

What I wonder, after watching, is if it was better earlier with Charlie and the others, or if life and the mood was lighter and without as much tension and pressure during the filming of this movie when he was already gone? Obviously,  not everyone in this group of people was evil. In the absence of Charlie and some of the others- there seems to be a very jovial and upbeat vibe. Not like the atmosphere I have read over and over existed just prior to, and immediately after, the crimes. They seemed to be having a really good time for the most part. For sure- there were some days back in the late 60's at Spahn Ranch both before and after the crimes when a person could have themselves quite an experience if they were smart and careful...

Again today I found myself spending quite a bit of time daydreaming about what it would be like to actually have been there. The first thought that ever crossed my mind after hearing about these people still crosses my mind today. What was it actually like to be there back in the day and at the time????

Sitting next to Country Sue under the Sun beneath a waterfall completely naked smoking a joint is something I would be too embarrassed and self conscious to do. But it didn't look like exactly the worst way on Earth to spend an afternoon either...

:)