George Kuchar
Biography
George Kuchar (August 31, 1942 – September 6, 2011) and his twin brother Mike began making films as teenagers in the 1950s, with 8mm film being their weapon of choice. After shocking their local amateur filmmaking club with their over-the-top stories of lust and angst, they became stars of the NYC underground scene in the 1960s, befriending the likes of Jonas Mekas and Jack Smith. Always working with the constraints of minuscule budgets and nonprofessional actors, the Kuchar’s inspiration comes from classic Hollywood melodrama. Their cheaply made pictures, rather than being held back by lack of funds, blossomed in the shackles of poverty; the garish colors of the cheap makeup and sets were perfectly complemented by the bold color range afforded by Kodachrome reversal stock. The wild (and sometimes the inverse of wild) acting, use of stock music, lack of synch sound, hyperbolic narration, and primitive special effects all combined to make tiny gems unlike anything seen before or since. The Kuchars are cited as major influences by such filmmakers as John Waters, Todd Solondz, and David Lynch.
Personal Details
Movies (50)
Kuchar-esque
Writer (Writing)
2024
That Woman
as Barbara Walters
2018
Oh Hi Anne
as Himself
2017
(ir)reverence
2013
Big Joy: The Adventures of James Broughton
as Self
2013
Bloodrape
as Grandpa
2011
The Butchered Beefcake
2011
Empire of Evil
Director (Directing)
2011
HotSpell
Director (Directing)
2011
Eat My Makeup!
2010
The Nutrient Express
2010
Tummy Ache Times
2010
Calorie Cottage
2010
Delectable Destinations
2010
Vintage Visits
2010
Webtide
as Himself
2010
Lingo of the Lost
Director (Directing)
2010
Room 666
Director (Directing)
2010
Zealots of the Zinc Zone
Director (Directing)
2010
Nibbles
Director (Directing)
2010
Jewel of Jeopardy
Director (Directing)
2010
It Came from Kuchar
as Self
2009
Zombies of Zanzibar
Director (Directing)
2009
Maggots and Men
2009
Why Are You Weird?
as Professor
2009
Vault of Vapors
2009
The Hairy Horror
as Himself
2009
The Unmentionables
2009
Celebrity Casino
Director (Directing)
2009
Mellow Magic
Director (Directing)
2009
Burrito Bay
Director (Directing)
2009
Acid Redux
Director (Directing)
2009
Jamboree Journey
Director (Directing)
2009
Art Space
Director (Directing)
2009
Libido Lagoon
Director (Directing)
2009
Solstice
Director (Directing)
2009
3 Stories About Evil
2008
Portrait of Genie
as Himself
2008
Coven of the Heathenites
as Self
2008
Orphans of the Cosmos
Director (Directing)
2008
Pictographic Piles
Director (Directing)
2008
The Crypt of Frankenstein
Director (Directing)
2008
January Jubilee
Director (Directing)
2008
Atrium of the Omni-Orb
Director (Directing)
2008
X MASS
Director (Directing)
2008
Eye on the Sky
Director (Directing)
2008
FlashBulb Alley
Director (Directing)
2008
Spectral Delivery
Director (Directing)
2008
Seaside Show
Director (Directing)
2008
365 Day Project
2007