Anyone seen Boys in the Band?

[Guest rodeo]

I just saw this 1970 film for the first time on Youtube. Excellent acting, and while some aspects ("Stop acting campy! We have a straight guest.") seem dated, it certainly doesn't seem 40 years old. The stage version (with the same cast) opened on Broadway a year before Stonewall, and I'd love to see a revival.

 

Edward Albee was asked to get involved but refused, and I can see why; it draws heavily from Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf.

 

Thoughts from others who've seen this?

[JT Brooklyn]

A very good depiction of Gay Life circa 1970! I'm guessing anyone over 5o has seen the Original Movie? But it is very jaded for todays audiences.

 

The Orginal Cast Bio's are Fascinating also IF you can track it down.

[+ Charlie]

I saw the original stage production, which I liked better than the movie. As Brooklyn Guy says, those of us who saw it in those days certainly felt that every character resembled someone of our acquaintance. (Oh, heck, maybe I could still say that.)

[Guest Spanker01]

I remember seeing the movie. Was great, and for its time, represented a very accurate potrayal of gay life.

[Guest rodeo]

Charlie and Brooklyn, Interesting that you feel that it's an accurate depiction. Apparently, a number of gay groups--backed by Albee--picketed the film, since they felt it perpetuated stereotypes of self-hating and/or campy homosexuals. Others felt it was the first film to put homosexuality out in the open rather than making it the "third act surprise."

 

(Random observation: I rarely go for conventional looks but Hank is INCREDIBLY attractive, especially when he puts on those glasses during the phone game scene. Oh, my. )

[bcohen7719]

"Boys in the Band" - original movie

 

Here's the trailer, and first few segments.

 

BC

 

[video=youtube;3Zw4639Ztjs]

[video=youtube;PGirMvTVrig]

[video=youtube;KqC7ru2ycT8]

[video=youtube;7bQgHLHv1qQ]

[seeker630]

Charlie and Brooklyn, Interesting that you feel that it's an accurate depiction. Apparently, a number of gay groups--backed by Albee--picketed the film, since they felt it perpetuated stereotypes of self-hating and/or campy homosexuals. Others felt it was the first film to put homosexuality out in the open rather than making it the "third act surprise."

 

(Random observation: I rarely go for conventional looks but Hank is INCREDIBLY attractive, especially when he puts on those glasses during the phone game scene. Oh, my. )

 

Although I AM over 50, I've never seen the movie, only trailers.

 

Your comments reminded me of responses to the movie 'Cruising' (1980); in my town, the local gay activists picketed the movie because it 'focused' on what they felt was the seamier side of gay (sub)culture.

[uwsman2]

I first saw the film in college while I was going through that agonizing process of trying to figure out whether I was gay. I was partly repulsed, partly attracted. I thought the guy who played the hustler was totally hot... and so were some of the others. A few years ago, I saw a revival of the play in the East Village. Now it seems so very dated, but back then it seemed like what could be a reasonably accurate depiction of one aspect of gay life.

[+ Axiom2001]

I saw the original stage production, which I liked better than the movie. As Brooklyn Guy says, those of us who saw it in those days certainly felt that every character resembled someone of our acquaintance. (Oh, heck, maybe I could still say that.)

 

I saw it on Broadway and thought it was supreme at the time. I had not come to grips with my sexuality at the time and had a difficult time being in a theatre inhabited by mostly hot gay men. I could "catch" during those days, but because I was not comfortable about my gayness--I saw the play, enjoyed it, and then went on to see other productions in San Francisco, Sydney, Australia, a college production, and lastly the film twice.

[Okliehomo]

Anything for sis, Mary........

 

Yep, I've seen it and can pretty much recite it, word for word. It and "Cruising" were a big deal for me in the 80's.....

 

Explains a lot, doesn't it??

 

No, seriously.... I was all Michael in my 20's... the mean drunk... the one that was always "turning" and "hateful".... but without the debt... but with the love of sweaters... "the one on the floor is vicuna....".....

 

Had the video but bought the dvd when it came out and watched it ..... and the first three acts are still funny as Hell..... gay humor at it's best... but when Michael takes one drink too many and turns... well, party over...

 

Can't identify with all that self loathing anymore..... still a drunk, but a kinder and more gentle one..... most days.

 

Did you all know that the guy that wrote it, Mart Crowley...... was Natalie Wood's best friend?

 

Okie

[Guest rodeo]

Your comments reminded me of responses to the movie 'Cruising' (1980); in my town,

 

Actually, I thought it was hilarious but I was just passing on the comments I read. It seems like a reasonably accurate impression of gay culture, especially the Jewish part of it. (Yeah, I know Michael was Catholic, but his sense of humor was very Jewish.)

 

By the way, a documentary on the making of the film came out a couple of years ago. Too bad I missed it while it was in town.

[Samai139]

Distincly remember seeing the movie when it came out--went with a closeted fellow-teacher. In Non-NYC, New York, ALL gay teachers were closeted in those days, we really had no choice--either the closet or no job. With that atmosphere in mind, watching a film which dealt with homosexuality as its theme and watching actors we could identify with---either positively or negatively, was am exhilariting experience. The fact that it was available in small cities throughout the state was a milestone of sorts and in retrospect was a step toward more availability of things now considered gay. I haven't seen the film since and have no intention of doing so---the memories are enough and I"d like to keep them that way.

[Doe Be Doe]

I saw it in the 80s. I liked it. But I found it very depressing.

[JT Brooklyn]

Charlie and Brooklyn, Interesting that you feel that it's an accurate depiction. Apparently, a number of gay groups--backed by Albee--picketed the film, since they felt it perpetuated stereotypes of self-hating and/or campy homosexuals. Others felt it was the first film to put homosexuality out in the open rather than making it the "third act surprise."

 

(Random observation: I rarely go for conventional looks but Hank is INCREDIBLY attractive, especially when he puts on those glasses during the phone game scene. Oh, my. )

 

bcohen..Thanks Again for the Trailer's! A couple of the Cast were regular Faces on Christopher St. The Photog was notorious very conceited guy. I worked a couple of the Bars on the Strip off West St and "Hades" the after hour's Bar on Jane St. So yes there were plenty of self loathing/ Campy Gays! Have things changed Hopefully!

[Guest rodeo]

Actually, the campiest guy, Emory, seemed to be among the LEAST self-loathing of the group.

[Poolboy21409]

What a memory jolt!! I saw it in a movie theater in Waukegan IL while I was in Naval Corpsman training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center during the last great war :-)). Went with a couple other guys who were in training - two very hot guys mid-western that I suspected were totally straight and one gay guy who looked and acted like a tough Italian from Staten Island. Well--much to my surprise we all four got it on later with encouragement from the movie. Thanks for bringing back a 41 year old very fond memory...and now you all can guess my true age.

[Guest rodeo]

For those who've seen it, I have a question:

 

Harold's speech at the end is devastating because it presumes that Michael wants to be straight. After watching the film carefully, I didn't think this was the case at all. He's a theater guy, for cryin' out loud. He says things like "I can't stand the idea of 5 screaming queens singing happy birthday," but he was clearly being facetious. Yeah, he tries to prevent a camp-fest in front of his straight friend, but he's quick to defend Emory when Alan calls him a pansy.

 

Early in the film, he says he's the type of Catholic who sins and then attends mass to repent. But, he seemed pretty flippant about it, implying that he doesn't intend to stop this process anytime soon.

 

What am I missing?

[Guest rodeo]

Nice story, Poolboy. What did you and the other military guys think of the film?

[JT Brooklyn]

Actually, the campiest guy, Emory, seemed to be among the LEAST self-loathing of the group.

 

It was said that the Actor who played "Emory" in the Movie actually was the only Straight Guy in real life!

[Guest rodeo]

Yeah, that actor was amazing. He even did a great impression of a campy guy imitating a Yankee fan.

 

I believe that the actor who played Hank was also straight.

[Poolboy21409]

Well Fluffy---I really can't remember. 41 years is a long time. I think we chuckled through some of it. Obviously it brought out the best in all of us!

[Guest Rich.]

The only scene that sticks in my mind is the one with the dildo.

 

Richard

[Guest rodeo]

What scene was that?

[Guest Rich.]

The bit where he's fantasising about the telephone engineer...!

 

Richard