Tiny Tim in “Chumlum“ (1964) by Ron Rice

“Chumlum took shape during the production of “Normal Love“ (1963), Jack Smith’s first film after “Flaming Creatures“ (1963), a work judged “lewd and obscene“ by New York State authorities and banned. Smith screened rushes from his new production at Rice’s Tribeca Loft. As the actors lounged about, Rice began shooting his own film. “Polymorphously exotic, “Chumlum“ conjures a vision from the “Arabian Nights.“ As the actors pose in harem costumes and bizarre makeup, Rice explores the allure of indolent women, diaphanou