The ‘Wizard of Oz’ of Gay Erotica

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John Waters described it as “equally enchanting and enduring as ‘The Wizard of Oz,'” and he’s organizing a showing of it on June 15 at the Provincetown Film Festival.

What are we talking about? It’s the 1971 art film titled “Pink Narcissus,” a sensual, artistic portrayal that has left an indelible mark on numerous generations of LGBTQ+ artists. Artists such as David LaChapelle, Pierre et Gilles, Charli XCX (who admits to being ‘obsessed’ with it), Lil Nas X, and the cast of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” are among those who have been inspired by this film.

I hope that helps clarify things! Let me know if you need any further assistance or explanations. 😊

Filmed using Super-8, this hour-long, largely wordless movie chronicles the erotic daydreams of a male prostitute with curly hair (Bobby Kendall, who was indeed an escort in real life), where he imagines himself as a bullfighter, a Roman servant, and the ruler of an alluring harem.

In this rephrased version, I aimed to maintain the original’s tone while simplifying some of the complexities for easier understanding.

He’s quite good-looking, but with an overgrown beard, plump lips, and brows reminiscent of Luigi Mangione, as jokingly described by Waters from his residence in Provincetown.

For about three decades following its debut, the creator of “Pink Narcissus” remained unknown due to it being attributed to “Anonymous.” Andy Warhol had long been considered a possible candidate for the role. However, in 1999, it was officially revealed that the enigmatic artist behind this flamboyant spectacle was none other than James Bidgood, a man who had relocated from Wisconsin.

In 1951, with dreams sparkling in his eyes from MGM musicals and Ziegfeld Follies, young Bidgood relocated to New York City. At that time, he was a performer at Club 52, a vibrant drag bar of the 1950s East Village. Later on, he took up work capturing beefcake images. However, this line of work failed to hold his interest, so he began incorporating elaborate sets and costumes into his photoshoots.

Pink Narcissus marked Bidgood’s debut into filmmaking and stood as his magnum opus. Over the course of seven years, he painstakingly constructed sets using papier-mâché, tailored costumes, recruited young men from New York streets for his cast, and carefully illuminated and filmed it in his small Hell’s Kitchen apartment that served as a railway carriage.

Bidgood mentioned in an interview with Butt magazine in 2010 that it was quite challenging to find suitable models, particularly for his type of work which required more involvement from the subject than just a few poses. He explained that in the time needed for one photo, they could perform up to ten different tasks.

Creating “Pink Narcissus” was a bold statement by Bidgood, who tragically passed away in 2022 due to COVID-19. At the time of his death, he was 88 years old.

Waters clarifies that when initially produced, showing the film “Flaming Creatures” was against the law, leading to jail time for viewers due to its depiction of male frontal nudity. However, the film “Pink Narcissus” contains numerous semi-erect male bodies and even includes a scene with ejaculation. Such explicit content would have been strictly prohibited!

As I ponder further, I find myself drawn to its unique allure – a cinematic masterpiece that defies conventional categories. To censors, it might appear puzzling, for it embodies the raw, unfiltered spirit of outsider art. Yet, its beauty is undeniable and breathtakingly captivating.

After being refused the final say in the movie’s edit (following seven years of production, investors became restless due to his lengthy editing phase), Bidgood chose to distance himself from the film. Upon its debut, it was met with a frosty response, with The New York Times labeling it as “a passive, garishly adorned surreal fantasy.

Over the years, the film “Pink Narcissus” has garnered a passionate fanbase and received renewed cultural recognition. A restoration by UCLA Film & Television Archive has brought back the movie’s vibrant colors (the version that John Waters is screening – with other cities planned, including L.A. on June 27), while a book honoring Bidgood’s pioneering work titled “James Bidgood: Dreamlands” was released in March.

James’ Wizard of Oz is none other than Bobby Kendall’s backside,” says Waters.

You can find this article in the June 11 edition of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Consider subscribing by clicking here.

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2025-06-16 19:55