James Bidgood

James Bidgood was born March 28, 1933 in Wisconsin, but moved to live and work in New York City. His artistic output embraced music, set and window design, and drag performance and eventually photography and film for which he is most widely known. His work in design and drag allowed him to gather exotic materials and props to use in his lush and sensual photographs and film. Highly recognizable, his photographs exhibit high fantasy and camp, which has unique in its talent in those days  and inspired the work of many since. His masterpiece, the film 'Pink Narcissus' took seven years to make, and Bidgood built all the sets and filmed the entire piece in his tiny apartment. He later removed his name from the film because he felt editors had changed his original vision. Consequently, the film bore the word "Anonymous" for the director's credit, and it was misattributed to many other directors such as Andy Warhol for many years. When I first saw it at the cinema in the early seventies, apart from being stunned to see such a work, a discussion began about the anonymous director which was only revealed a few years back. There were so many guessing games. I was also thrilled on my first trip to Paris, to see huge posters on the street advertising the film. To me this was a loud and flamboyant grand jete out of the closet; an unapologetic affirmation of male beauty.

Pink Narcissus

Pink Narcissus, the legendary film of beauty and visual indulgence, was released in 1971. Backed by a soundscape of classical music, phone rings and street noise the film is laden with anything that sparkles and all that is pretty. It is overwhelming in its splendour.

Pink Narcissus starred Bobby Kendall in the iconic silent role living fantasies in ancient Rome, a public urinal and a bull ring as he is enticed by butterflies, bike-riders and men of all ages. Kendall was a teenage runaway when he met James Bidgood, in New York City in 1962. The young actor, whose beauty has been admired for decades was surprised to be asked to model for Bidgood and ultimately star in his lavish film Pink Narcissus, as he had never considered himself to be attractive.The name, a pseudonym, was given by Bidgood and the two lived together for several years. Kendall was last mentioned as still living in New York.

Watch Pink Narcissus (1971) by BFIfilms this version 64min which appears to be a few minutes short of the 71 minute DVD length.
Some of James Bidgood's Photography

 The Film and the Book, both of which I own. 

  James Bidgood page on Facebook
Bobby Kendall page on Facebook

Talent Shows Can Bear Fruit

There is something in my nature that does not respond to television talent shows, but on occasions I can be so, so wrong. After the pestering of a friend  and after it was all over I checked out the young 14 year old Jack Vidgen from Sydney on Youtube and what a surprise and a gift that boy's talent is. I may be behind several million who have already been looking at his videos, but if you are one of the uninitiated, here is a sample of his performances from his stunning audition through to the final brilliant song which he wrote himself at 14 and his winning of the competition. He is truly remarkable so spend some time on Youtube. As one of the judges proclaimed he has a black woman trapped inside, and he will be a great Diva.

An excited judge plants one on the surprised Jack after his first song.

He ranks up there with two other discoveries of the ubiquitous talent shows.

Adam Lambert whom I discovered while playing with my remote. I would not stop at America's Got Talent, but his voice grabbed me instantly and I was hooked.

Finally if there is anyone on this planet who did not see Susan Boyle or just want to be reminded what a thrill her first appearance was for the hundreds of millions who have watched this clip. It was the most uploaded clip in history and it still brings tears to my eyes.

Click this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OcQ9A-5noM&feature=related  to watch that original appearance as embedding was disabled.

I still don't watch these shows, but occasionally the fruits can be very impressive.
Busking
There are of course other ways to gain attention, but it needs luck to make it the big break. This woman below dressed simply, but with the voice of true magnificence was singing in the Queen St. mall here in Brisbane one day. I emptied my pockets into her cup. I wanted to return to ask if I could film her, but she had gone. This a a clip I found taken by someone else equally in awe of her voice. I would love to find her again.

Lovers from History post 1000 AD

Male Love and Lovers post 1000 AD 

  Edward II & Piers Gaveston:

Edward II King of England, succeeded his father in 1307, and was influenced and ruled by his favourites, Piers Gaveston and Hugh le DeSpenser. Gaveston was his chosen companion and his immoral influence made Prince Edward hated . He was banished in 1307, and when Edward became King he was recalled, and made Earl of Cornwall. He became intolerably insolent, and was again banished, again recalled, and in 1312, the barons declared war, Gaveston was  captured, and executed. The Queen, her lover and the barons turned against Edward and in 1328 he was  murdered by the insertion of a hot iron into his bowels.


This Edward in the Aprill of his age,
Whil'st yet the Crowne sate on his fathers head
My Jove with me, his Ganimed, his page,
Frolick as May, a lustie life we led:  Drayton

King James & George Villiers (Duke of Buckingham):


Apart from journeying from Scotland to England via many peasant boys, James Charles Stuart VI of Scotland & I of England commissioned the 1611 version of the Bible and had a 10 year relationship with the 1st Duke of Buckingham. His son the second Duke became the intimate and debauched friend of Charles II.
Richard the Lionheart and King Philip of France:
"They ate every day at the same table and from the same dish, and at night their beds did not separate them. And the king of France loved him as his own soul; and they loved each other so much that the king of England [Richard's father] was absolutely astonished at the passionate love between them and marveled at it."
Another of Richard's lovers was a young knight from the crusades, Raife de Clermon, whom he freed from the Saracens.
 Moliere & Michel Baron:

The French playwright fell in love with the young actor Michel Baron, who remained close for three years until Moliere's death. Baron an orphan had been driven from the company by Moliere's wife, but returned in 1670 when he was 16. He was 19 when Moliere died and he lived to be 76 and acted into his late life.
Robin Hood & Little John:

"When Robin Hood was about 20 years old; he happen'd to meet Little John; A jolly brisk blade right fit for the trade, for he was a lusty young man." Maid Marian may never have existed and it is believed she was added to the stories and ballads by 16th-century authors. The merry men are suspected of originally being a reference to outlawed homosexuals.
 Amis and Amile

Amis and Amile were devoted friends, in resemblance and life. Having searched for each other for two years, when at last they met "they lighted down from their horses, and embraced and kissed each other, and gave thanks to God that they were found. And they swore fealty and friendship and fellowship perpetual, the one to the other, on the sword of Amile, wherein were relics." Together to the court of  Charles, king of France Amis took Amile's place in a tournament, saved his life from a traitor, and won for him the King's daughter for wife, but not long after, he  was stricken with leprosy and went to Amile's door. They looked after him and one night " when as Amis and Amile lay in one chamber without other company, God sent to Amis Raphael his angel, who said to him: 'Sleepest thou, Amis?' And he, thinking that Amile had called to him, answered: ' I sleep not, fair sweet fellow.' Then the angel said to him: ' Thou hast answered well, for thou art the fellow of the citizens of heaven, and thou hast followed after Job, and Thoby in patience. Now I am Raphael, an angel of our Lord, and am come to tell thee of a medicine for thine healing, whereas he hath heard thy prayers. Thou shalt tell to Amile thy fellow, that he slay his two children and wash thee in their blood, and thence thou shalt get the healing of thy body." Amis at first refused to tell Amile; but the latter had also heard the angel's voice, and he determined in his mind not even to spare his children for the sake of his friend, so going secretly to their chamber he slew them, and bringing some of their blood washed Amis-who immediately was healed. He then arrayed Amis in his best clothes and, after going to the church to give thanks, they met Amile's wife who (not knowing all) rejoiced greatly too. But Amile, going apart again to the children's chamber to weep over them, found them at play in bed, with only a thread of crimson round their throats to mark what had been done! The two knights fell afterwards and were killed in the same battle; " for even as God had joined them together by good accord in their life days, so in their death they were not sundered." And a miracle was added, for even when they were buried apart from each other the two coffins leapt together in the night and were found side by side in the morning.                .............        Legend
S.Anselm
" To Gondulf, Anselm-I put no other or longer salutations at the head of my letter, because I can say nothing more to him whom I love. All who know Gondulph and Anselm know well what this means, and how much love is understood in these two names."... ..." How could I forget thee ? Can a man forget one who is placed like a seal upon his heart? In thy silence I know that thou lovest me; and thou also, when I say nothing, thou knowest that I love thee. Not only have I no doubt of thee, but I answer for thee that thou art sure of me. What can my letter tell thee that thou knowest not already, thou who art my second soul? Go into the secret place of thy heart, look there at thy love for me, and thou shalt see mine for thee."..... "Thou knewest how much I love thee, but I knew it not. He who has separated us has alone instructed me how dear to me thou wert. No, I knew not before the experience of thy absence how sweet it was to have thee, how bitter to have thee not. Thou hast another friend whom thou hast loved as much or more than me to console thee, but I have no longer thee l-theel thee l thou understandest? and nothing to replace thee. Those who rejoice in the possession of thee may perhaps be offended by what I say. Ah I let them content thernselves with their joy, and permit me to weep for him whom I ever love."   Saint Anselm 1033-1109
Japanese Samurai

The samurai called male love bi-do, 'the beautiful way', and in 1482  Ijiri Chusuke wrote: "In our empire of Japan this way flourished from the time of the great master Kobo. In the abbeys of Kyoto and Kamakura, and in the world of the nobles and the warriors, lovers would swear perfect and eternal love relying on no more than their mutual good will. Whether their partners were noble or common, rich or poor, was absolutely of no importance… In all these case they were greatly moved by the spirit of this way. This way must be truly respected, and it must never be permitted to disappear."
It was also referred to as wakashudo, or shudo “the way of the youth”, and was engaged in by all of the samurai class.
In 1653, the author of Inu Tsurezure wrote "It is natural for a samurai to make every effort to excel with pen and sword. Beyond that, what is important to us is not ever to forget, even to our last moment, the spirit of shudo. If we should forget it, it will not be possible for us to maintain the decencies, nor gentleness of speech, nor the refinements of polite behaviour.”
In Yamamoto Tsunetomo’s samurai manual of the early eighteenth century he wrote: "A young man should test an older man for at least five years, and if he is assured of that person’s intentions, then he too should request the relationship… If the younger man can devote himself and get into the situation for five or six years then it will not be unsuitable."

A Brief History of Gay Love in Pictures

Some further expressions of male love can be found on my following pages'
William Shakespeare
Leonardo Da Vinci
Michelangelo Buonarroti
Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears
Arthur Rimbaud and Paul Verlaine
Jean Cocteau and Jean Marais


Go to my page on Ancient Lovers pre 1000 AD