Pink Narcissus *** (1971, Bobby Kendall, director James Bidgood) – Classic Film Review 395

James Bidgood began work on Pink Narcissus in 1963, making all the costumes, sets and props in his apartment with model Bobby Kendall. Bidgood refused to put his name to the film after Sherpix Releasing edited the film’s last cut against his wishes when it was released in 1971. 

Obsessed with his own sultry features and physical perfection, a mostly naked young man called Pan (Bobby Kendall) embarks on a journey of erotic fantasy where the subject of his desires is himself. Don Brooks plays the character of Angel.

Enterprisingly produced, written, photographed and directed by James ‘Jim’ Bidgood (billed as ‘Anonymous’) from 1963 to 1970 on a budget of $27,000, this esteemed, high camp gay erotic fantasy classic was released in 1971.

Pink Narcissus was shot on 8mm and looks like a home movie, but it was restored and electronically enhanced for its 1992 re-release to remove many of the original film faults. It was re-released in 2003 by Strand Releasing.

Looked at now, Pink Narcissus is absurdly dated, quaint and mostly un-erotic. But it is still plenty kitsch, camp and amusing. Appropriately, it looks as though it’s been shot through a bottle of rosé wine, or pink champagne.

The dialogue-free film had no script, but there was a storyboard that the director destroyed after producers edited the film’s last cut against his wishes in 1971. He refused to put his name to the film as edited by Martin Jay Sadoff, as he hadn’t finished filming and thought the felt editors had changed his original vision. Sadoff also wrote the score.

It was filmed on sets director Bidgood built in his tiny Manhattan apartment, using window dressing and costume designer props. Three scenes were filmed later in a rented loft that provided sets for the men’s room, Times Square and the rainstorm.

© Derek Winnert 2013 Classic Movie Review 395

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