Walt Curtis (July 4, 1941 – August 25, 2023) was an American poet, novelist, and painter from Portland, Oregon.[1] His autobiographical work, Mala Noche (1977), became the basis for Gus Van Sant's 1985 film of the same name. He was the co-founder of the Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission.[2] He hosted the poetry radio show "Talking Earth" at KBOO from 1971.[3] He wrote about and championed Oregon literary figures such as Joaquin Miller,[4] Hazel Hall,[5] Frances Fuller Victor,[6] and many others. He also acted in Property in 1978 and Paydirt in 1981.[7]

Portland Mayor Sam Adams declared July 1–7, 2010 "Walt Curtis Week."[8] Curtis died on August 25, 2023, at the age of 82.[1]

Books

  • Angel Pussy (1970)
  • The Erotic Flying Machine (1970) wr
  • The Sunflower and Other Earth Poems (1975)
  • The Mad Bombers Notebook (1975)
  • The Mad Poems, The Unreasonable Ones (1975)
  • The Roses of Portland (1974, poetry)
  • Mala Noche (1977)
  • Peckerneck Country (1978)
  • Journey Across America (1979)
  • Rhymes for Alice Bluelight (1984)
  • Salmon Song, And Other Wet Poems (1995)
  • Mala Noche: And Other "Illegal" Adventures (1997)

Films

  • Penny Allen: Property (1978)
  • Penny Allen: Paydirt (1981)
  • Gus van Sant: Mala Noche (1985) as George
  • Bill Plympton and Walt Curtis: Walt Curtis, The Peckerneck Poet (1997)
  • Sabrina Guitart: Salmon Poet (2009)
  • Courtney Fathom Sell: An Afternoon with Walt Curtis (2010)

References

  1. 1 2 Redden, Jim (2023-08-26). "Well-known Portland poet Walt Curtis passes away at 82". PortlandTribune.com. Retrieved 2023-08-26.
  2. ↑ Jeff Baker, Portland celebrates poet Walt Curtis with two birthday parties, movie screening, The Oregonian 6/22/2010
  3. ↑ "Talking Earth". kboo.fm. 15 March 2007. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission". www.ochcom.org. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
  5. ↑ "Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission". www.ochcom.org. Retrieved 2015-10-13.
  6. ↑ http://www.ochcom.org/writersmap.html retrieved 1013/2015
  7. ↑ Catalina, Gaitán (6 November 2023). "Hundreds gather to celebrate legendary Portland poet Walt Curtis; 'He was astonishing'". The Oregonian/OregonLive. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  8. ↑ Richard Speer "Walt Curtis A poet/painter rises from the ashes" The Willamette Week 6/29/2010
  • John Trombold and Peter Donahue (eds.): Reading Portland: The City in Prose (2006). ISBN 0-295-98677-8


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