Dali in New York

Without a doubt, Salvador Dalí was one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century. His surreal paintings surprised and entertained art lovers the world over. The surrealism extended to him personally, with his handlebar mustache. Someone once asked Dalí if he used drugs and he answered "I am drugs."

Jack Bond's 1965 documentary "Dali in New York" looks at the painter's trip to the Big Apple, where he put on some projects and schmoozed with the beautiful people (some of the women reminded me of those depicted on "Feud: Capote vs. The Swans").

The documentary isn't much to call home about, as it's only an hour and calls into question the relationship between artist and fan. Even so, it's interesting to see this brief period when the king of surrealism spent some time in the city that never sleeps. I think that it's available on DVD, but I watched it on YouTube.

A painter who's life was dedicated to fleshing out the most outlandish strands in all previous centuries of art, goes to Manhattan in order to relinquish the trauma of his own country. This film, along with other documentaries on Dali, is essential for understanding the motives behind his work and legacy. At once documentary, mockumentary and tribute, this lethargic study of post-marital dysfunction reaches the blissful climax in the now-infamous money scene. Dali took his work seriously and his adoring fans for fools. That is a harsh fact to swallow, considering the temporal focus of his ventures into pottery, jewelry design and fashion. He knew how to mingle with the most superficial non-entities of the NY elite, while staying true to himself. This visual document stands out as a Dali treasure to be coveted by generations. Particularly stingy was the use of insurmountable talents like Lila Karp, who is only given a brief cameo. This isn't an easy VHS to find, but rest assured, as Dali's oeuvre continues to garner admirers worldwide, all of this rare visual treats will become closer to us.