Nudes: A Sketchbook

Nudes: A Sketchbook

1974 · 30 min · ★ 3.3

"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

Directed by Curt McDowell · Written by Curt McDowell

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Riverbody

Riverbody · 1970

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

George Kuchar: The Comedy of the Underground

George Kuchar: The Comedy of the Underground · 1983

George Kuchar: The Comedy of the Underground

MovieDocumentary

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.

Symphony for a Sinner

Symphony for a Sinner · 1978

Symphony for a Sinner

MovieComedyDrama

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

Sparkle's Tavern

Sparkle's Tavern · 1985

Sparkle's Tavern

MovieFantasyComedy

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.

A Reason to Live

A Reason to Live · 1976

A Reason to Live

"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."

The Devil's Cleavage

The Devil's Cleavage · 1975

The Devil's Cleavage

A shady motel manager becomes obsessed with a neglected wife.

Confessions

Confessions · 1972

"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 Night with Gilda Peck

A Night with Gilda Peck · 1974

A Night with Gilda Peck

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."

Taboo: The Single and the LP

Taboo: The Single and the LP · 1980

Taboo: The Single and the LP

MovieDocumentaryDrama

"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 Visit to Indiana

A Visit to Indiana · 1970

A Visit to Indiana

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.

Naughty Words

Naughty Words · 1974

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

Boggy Depot

Boggy Depot · 1973

A musical for the whole family. A rural operette starring Ainslie Pryor and Geore Kuchar, told through song and rhme.

True Blue and Dreamy

True Blue and Dreamy · 1974

True Blue and Dreamy

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

Wieners and Buns Musical

Wieners and Buns Musical · 1972

Wieners and Buns Musical

MovieComedyMusic

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

Beaver Fever

Beaver Fever · 1974

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

Dora Myrtle

Dora Myrtle · 1973

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

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