Tiny monthly grants sustained underground film production

Evidence

Shortly after the November election, Smith was awarded a $40-per-month grant from the Friends of New Cinema. This may have encouraged him to continue work on his movie and as previewed by Mekas in the Voice, No President’s Elgin premiere was an Event. Andrew Sarris in the Voice and Lita Eliscu in EVO both commented on the size of the crowds. Some, it would seem, were in a daze. Mekas reported that at least one viewer thought the presentation “a remarkable first public screening of a film made fifty years ago.” — J. Hoberman, Everything Is Now, 1394