Drag City Presents: The Films of J.T.IV

Unheard in his day, J.T. IV was the alias of John Timmis IV (b. Sept 21, 1961, d. April 1 2002), a Chicago resident, ex-institution dweller, and myth-maker extraordinaire. Living amid the public health crises, economic problems, and wars of the 1980s, John’s self-reflection, vulnerability, and primal scream converged in a short yet highly ambitious glimmer of time through a series of musical releases and films. In 1987 he produced and directed the 85-hour film (longest running film at the time of its release, according to the Guinness Book of World Records) entitled The Cure For Insomnia, which was previously screened only once at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Drag City has spent over a decade collecting and reissuing the Outsider artist’s musical output as well as his films and home movies. Tonight, Night Flight Plus is excited to showcase those projects in their digital streaming premiere, presented by Drag City, Galactic Zoo Disk and Robert Cole Manis. Watch two full-length films (Cannibal Orgy and Nightmare City) as well as one “live” performance compilation on Night Flight Plus now.

Nightmare City

It’s the year 1990. America is on the verge of another Great Depression. A Hitler-like President puts into action his mad scheme to wipe out the federal deficit by dispatching extermination squads. Can the terribly violent genocide be stopped before all non-conformists are destroyed? 1984, Directed by John Henry Timmis IV

Cannibal Orgy

Banned in 20 countries! This outrageous “midnight show” film follows a cult of devil worshiping killers as they go on their rampage of hair raising terror through Chicago. 1985, Directed by John Henry Timmis IV

Cosmic Lightning

A compilation of J.T.’s films, “live” performance footage and home movies which was included in Drag City’s 2008 reissue of the J.T. IV album Cosmic Lightning, originally released in 1987. Directed by John Henry Timmis IV