Known for being one of the few avant-garde directors that transitioned to Hollywood and an early influential figure in the New Queer Cinema, filmmaker Curtis Harrington’s oeuvre included experimental shorts, horror films and episodic television. Harrington embarked on his career at the early age of 14-years old, with the 8mm film "The Fall of the House of Usher" (1942). One of Harrington’s most notable works is his first 16mm film, the personal and poetic “Fragment of Seeking” (1946), featuring himself as the protagonist. Harrington continuously created a dream-like poetic reality with experimental films like “Picnic” (1948), “On the Edge” (1949), and his first color film “The Assignation” (1953). After spending some time in Europe and writing for the French film magazine Cahiers du Cinéma, Harrington made his Hollywood debut with his first feature film “Night Tide” (1961). Since 2006, the Archive has preserved six works by Harrington. The Curtis Harrington collection holds about 40 items, including original 8mm, 16mm and 35mm prints and negatives. The collection includes an oral history conducted with Harrington by the Academy in 2003, as well his first experimental film "The Fall of the House of Usher" (1942).
Click here for a list of the Academy’s holdings related to Curtis Harrington.