Entertainment

Docu on landmark due high status

ABEL Ferrara, the legend arily self-sabotaging di rector of “Bad Lieutenant,” “The King of New York” and many far less watchable indies, has chosen the perfect subject for his first feature-length documentary: the Chelsea Hotel, home to dozens of bohemian artists — from Dylan Thomas to Janis Joplin — since the turn of the 20th century.

Though Ferrara’s off-camera interviewing style leaves something to be desired and he clumsily re-creates punk rocker Sid Vicious’ notorious stabbing of Nancy Spungen (played by Bijou Phillips) in their room at the Chelsea, he entertainingly captures the West 23rd Street landmark in transition.

“Chelsea on the Rocks” was largely shot in 2007, when its super-tolerant longtime owner and manager, Stanley Bard, lost control to investors wanting to turn the Chelsea into an East Coast version of LA’s equally infamous but more upscale Chateau Marmont.

Bard is relentlessly upbeat about the place’s past, even when Czech director Milos Forman recalls a fire during his residency in the early ’70s. There are hair-raising stories about drug dealers, overdoses and orgies from other alumni like Dennis Hopper and artist R. Crumb, as well as current longtime residents.

“Chelsea on the Rocks” rambles a bit, but it’s a real slice of New York history that includes everything from Ethan Hawke recounting a hilarious story about Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller at the hotel to footage of the 9/11 attacks shot from its roof.

Running time: 88 minutes. Not rated (nudity, violence, profanity). At the Chelsea, 23rd Street and Eighth
Avenue.