The Death of Old Reliable: David Hurles

An homage and history by Dian Hanson with notes from Susie Bright

“I have not told one half of what I saw.”

  —Marco Polo on his deathbed, 1325, printed on the back of The Old Reliable Catalog

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Preface from Susie:

One of the most influential and prolific American documentarians, filmmakers and photographers has died this spring.

His name was David Hurles, (September 12, 1944 – April 12, 2023) and most people have probably never heard of him.

Many others, if they were introduced, would be . . . taken aback. He made what most would call “gay porn” but even those indexers would likely take pause. Hurles’ obsession and aesthetic were not in the same arena as most commercial or genre filmmakers. He was a self-taught outlaw and outcast, who would humbly give you the shirt off his back.

For those who did love David, and were amazed by his work, he was regarded with affection and admiration, as well as our amazement at his longevity. He beat the devil so many…