Curt McDowell

The comings and goings of the late underground filmmaker, Curt McDowell—and the people and activities that came and went along with him—are the themes that run through this existential diary of daily life. McDowell was dying from AIDS-related illnesses during the production of the diary. “An elegy for McDowell, the videowork captures Kuchar’s mournful remembrances of his long-lasting friendship with the young filmmaker. But it also has the inquisitive charm, perverse humor, and quirky candor that places Kuchar’s visual expressions in a gritty niche all their own.”

A shady motel manager becomes obsessed with a neglected wife.

"...WORDS was a Curt McDowell work covering the gamut of cinematic profanity."

A continuous dissolve of 87 male and female nudes. "The film's fascination lies with the suspense of that magic moment, halfway between two persons, when the dissolve technique produces composite figures, oftentimes hermaphroditic, that inspires awe for the mystery of the human form." - B. Ruby Rich, Chicago Art Institute

Siblings hide their ownership of a bordello from their mother. When she is visited by a man who shares the joys of sexual enlightenment with her, her entire world is turned upside down.

"Abner L. Fuqua clears his throat and I get mad and stand close to trains or cut my eyebrow off. Dorothy is Abner's wife. Abner can slap hard, like blue magic." - graffiti

A musical about an unhappy couple and the man that stands between them. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2015.

An hour-long saga of Mick Terrific, rock 'n' roll star, and the cast of 50 he encounters on his search for "Mr. Wonderful." “PEED INTO THE WIND smears across the screen like one of those dirty underground comic books. It’s loaded with a lot of big scenes and unusual looking people that make this epic resemble a clogged toilet. Unfortunately, since several of the performers were not as loyal as Ainslie Pryor and John Thomas, the plot is difficult to follow but in no way hinders the sewer-like sequences. It’s quite enjoyable and possesses the releasing power of an enema.” –George Kuchar. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2016.

"Curt McDowell's NUDES (A Sketchbook) is a paean to the filmmaker's closest friends: a series of portraits (beginning with one of George Kuchar) based on stylized, often graphically sexual interpretations of his or her personality. The portraits also, at times, represent Curt's own sexual interests as he projects them onto the lives of others. My favorites are 'Barbara', a Pre-Raphaelite vision of woman and 'Ainslie', a musical spoof on glamour. The filmmaker's point of view ranges from compulsively erotic to light-hearted and self-debunking. A broad reading of the term 'romantic' would probably best describe the spectrum of extreme, even outrageous, possibilities which Curt embraces in this sketchbook/film." - Karen Cooper, Film Forum

Symphony for a Sinner (1979) was a long, lavishly photographed color film generally considered the magnum opus of the class productions.

"This film is about depression, although it's not that depressing. I suppose it has a message of faith and hope in it ... it does for me .... But then again my interest may not match yours. It was shot in San Francisco and in Central Oklahoma with a cast of one man and four women. Crushing emotions are indulged in against a massive meteorological background that brings inspiration and terror to the characters involved."

A documentary portrait of filmmaker George Kuchar conducting a tour of his apartment where he displays memorabilia and his toys which were used for props.

A real and favorite dream of mine, preserved on film to be relived over and over.

A vehicle for the talented Mrs. Kathleen Hohalek, as the tenant of the Pyramid Penthouse, with George Kuchar and Bob Hohalek as the burglars, "Slug," and "Boom Boom," John Thomas as "the Copper" and Ainslie Pryor as "the maid."

Two brothers are stood up and lament through song. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2015.

Starring George Kuchar as "Hunk", Mrs. Ruby B. Davis as "Aunt Ruth", and introducing Melinda McDowell as the much-abused, sex bomb "Goldenrod".

"Just as outrageous is Curt McDowell's CONFESSIONS. McDowell, a graduate student at San Francisco Art Institute, opens his film with a confession to his mother and father, listing in exhausting detail his sins of the flesh."

A diverse program of films and videos by various artists who challenge conventional representations of gender, family and sexuality, curated by Tom Kalin for Drift Distribution.

Ainslie Pryor in two miniature dramas, utilizing wind sound effects, canned laughter, and "I Love Lucy" lighting.

The film that caused Sheri Millbradt to lose 40 pounds.

Ted Davis is everyone's favorte Master of Ceremonies for the following performances: Peckernose Act, The Cooking and the Washing Act, Spin Your Little Clothes Off Act, Tea Break, The Spinning Nuns, Balancing Prick Act, The Dirty Hummers, Spanish Dancer Act, The Whora, Picking a Winner, The Poop Chute Act, Waiting and Worrying Nude Act, The Tapping Tennis, The Disappearing Milk and Sandwich Act, The Flower Magician, Fart Chorus, The Whirlwinds, The Paper Bags on the Heads Act, The Belly Dance, Cheek to Cheek, Head Job Act, Tweeting Prick Act, Fanny Dancer, Back Words Act, Betsy the Cussing Doll, And… The Singing Twat

Muffled, inaudible sound and no image to speak of make this one a real crowd pleaser.

A comedy for the people of liberated cities about the tragedy of small town imprisonment. A ten-minute dialogue of nephew and uncle during which so little is said that all is revealed. Visually, all action is shown that will ever occur. Starring Mom, Dad, Grandma McDowell, Aunt Rachael, Uncle Paul, Melinda, Marce, and the rest of the family.

A naked hustler tells his story nonstop. A real wonder-hunk.