Hey everyone, welcome back to The Gaydolls Channel! Today, we're taking a trip down memory lane with a look at some forgotten gay movie gems. These films might have flown under the radar, but they're packed with cinematic gold and offer a fascinating glimpse into gay history.
We're kicking things off with Saturday Night at the Baths (1975) - a raw and gritty exploration of gay life in 1970s London. Next up, we've got the dazzling A Bigger Splash (1973), a vibrant celebration of art and sexuality. And we can't forget the groundbreaking The Naked Civil Servant (1975), a poignant portrayal of one man's journey to self-acceptance.
We'll also be delving into the campy delights of Outrageous! (1977) and the thrilling crime drama Score (1974). So grab your popcorn, get comfy, and let's rediscover these cinematic treasures together!
Check Out Video - Gay Movies the Drama of the AIDS Era
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Don't Miss Forgotten Gay Movies 1 on the The Gaydolls channel
We're kicking things off with Saturday Night at the Baths (1975) - a raw and gritty exploration of gay life in 1970s London. Next up, we've got the dazzling A Bigger Splash (1973), a vibrant celebration of art and sexuality. And we can't forget the groundbreaking The Naked Civil Servant (1975), a poignant portrayal of one man's journey to self-acceptance.
We'll also be delving into the campy delights of Outrageous! (1977) and the thrilling crime drama Score (1974). So grab your popcorn, get comfy, and let's rediscover these cinematic treasures together!
Check Out Video - Gay Movies the Drama of the AIDS Era
On this tiny Link
https://tinyurl.com/55rufyfb
Don't Miss Forgotten Gay Movies 1 on the The Gaydolls channel
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Short filmTranscript
00:00Hi, this is Steve from The Gay Dolls. Welcome to today's vlog, where we're looking at another group of forgotten gay movies.
00:06Some of these movies you will have seen, others you may not have heard of, so let's start off with our selection.
00:12Our first film today is Saturday Night at the Baths, made in 1975.
00:17It was directed by David Buckley, and the film lets us look back at the lives of the 1970s New York gay bath scene.
00:25The basic story is, we follow Michael, a young, talented pianist, who lands a gig at the Continental Baths.
00:30Yes, the legendary Continental Baths.
00:32As he navigates this new world, we meet a colourful cast of characters, each with their own stories and struggles.
00:38We find a story of a bisexual triangle, where his girlfriend, Tracy, played by Ellen Shepard,
00:43tells him that even though the baths are famed for their decadence, he has to start somewhere.
00:48It's a tale filled with love, self-discovery, acceptance, showing us the raw and natural sides of life without the bathhouse walls.
00:56There is, of course, some funny moments in this, where people question him about his sexuality,
01:00and he does that sort of, oh, when I was a kid, I did such and such, but now I have a girlfriend.
01:05So, quite funny sort of conversations there, and of course, the acting is pretty stiff in this.
01:10It's not exactly, it's not gone with the wind.
01:13The characters in this film are sort of fleshed out, though, making us feel their joys, pains and passions.
01:17Michael, our leading man, goes through a journey of growth, understanding, learning about life, love and the many shades of sexuality.
01:23No surprises there.
01:25Michael is dealing with some internalised homophobia, while Tracy, his girlfriend, seems to be a lot more open, not to mention intuitive.
01:32When Michael asks her how he can stop the guys at the bars from hitting on him, she asks if he is giving off signals.
01:39The cinematography is authentic 1970s with a raw, unpolished style that adds to the film's charm.
01:45It perfectly captures the emotions and interactions making us feel like a part of this vibrant bathhouse community.
01:50Absolutely.
01:52Saturday Night at the Bars explores deep themes of identity and self-acceptance,
01:55giving us a glimpse into the challenges faced by the gay community during that era.
01:59It's a great reminder of the progress we have made for equality and, of course, understanding.
02:04Saturday Night is more than just a film.
02:06It's a heartfelt journey into the past, filled with the emotions, the stories, the characters that resonate even today.
02:12While its explicit content may not be everyone's cup of tea,
02:15it is essentially a piece of cinematic history reflecting the social dynamics of the 1970s.
02:20So grab a Shenzhano on the rocks and to settle back and watch Saturday Night at the Bars.
02:25It is considered a landmark film for the gay community because at the time it was very difficult for these films to be released,
02:33obviously not mainstream, so they sort of went to those dark houses, like as in the porno houses,
02:39which of course made it look bad for gays that were associated with porn,
02:43but unfortunately no mainstream theatre was going to show this production.
02:47It is funny that Rotten Tomatoes gives it, the critics give it a 40% out of 5 reviews,
02:52and the audience 25% with only less than 50 reviews.
02:56It's a bit sort of, it's one of those films I think that it's not widely seen,
03:01so it's something that you would have to watch, but if you want to capture something from the 70s,
03:05it's just such a fun piece and the acting is pretty bad, so I actually thought it was pretty good.
03:09You can currently watch this video on Prime, on Here TV,
03:12also I have a free link which I will put down below if you want to see this film.
03:17Our next film is A Big Splash made in 1973.
03:21It's not your typical documentary, this is a British biographical film
03:25dealt with the personal life and the emotional turmoil of renowned artist David Hockney,
03:29following a tumultuous break-up with his partner Peter Sleeslinger.
03:33I know I probably pronounced that wrong, but there we go.
03:35This one is directed by Jack Hazen.
03:37The film takes a semi-fictional approach.
03:40Hockney and his circle, including designers Ilya Birtwell and Ozzy Clark, play in themselves,
03:44blurring these lines between the documentary and a staged drama.
03:47This unique style allows for a raw and intimate portrayal of the artist's emotional state.
03:52The central theme revolves around that breakdown of the relationship.
03:56We see Hockney grapple with depression and a creative block, unable to paint in the aftermath.
04:01The film explores the crippling effect the heartbreak can have on the artist's muse.
04:05However, a turning point arrives when Hockney finds inspiration in his swimming pool,
04:10leading to the creation of the famous painting A Big Splash, which leads to its title of this film.
04:15Of course, you would have seen this picture. If you haven't, do Google it.
04:18It's a brilliant picture. It is a guy swimming in a pool. It's fantastic.
04:21He did like a series. It was great.
04:23A Big Splash isn't solely focused on his artistic process.
04:26It offers a glimpse into the lives of those surrounding him,
04:29showcasing the dynamics within his social circle.
04:31The film also subtly touches on themes of fame and navigating a changing art world
04:36and complexities of relationships.
04:38A Big Splash has gained a cult following over the years,
04:41praised for its innovative approach and unflinching portrayal of emotional vulnerability.
04:45The film has sparked discussions about the relationship between art and life,
04:49and it remains a captivating documentary of the pivoting period in Hockney's life
04:53a testament to the raw power of human emotions.
04:57Now Rotten Tomatoes, the critics gave this 100% out of only 11 reviews,
05:01and the audience gave it 38% out of 50 plus reviews.
05:04This film, I actually really enjoyed this.
05:07It was an interesting glimpse into these people's world.
05:10However, it does make you think about how we talk about people living in bubbles,
05:15like, you know, some of the Hollywood people these days.
05:17And this one too, so artists, even like, you know, Keith Haring, perhaps even Andy Warhol,
05:22all sort of living in this kind of weird kind of bubble.
05:25A Big Splash has newly been restored into 4K from its original camera negative,
05:30and was released on Blu-ray by Kino in 2020.
05:33I will put all the links down below so you can catch up with this one.
05:37The next movie we're looking at is Score, made in 1974.
05:41It's one of the first films to explore bisexual relationships,
05:45and it was a part of a brief porn sort of chic fad of the golden age of porn in the early 70s,
05:50which included Behind the Green Door, The Devil and Miss Jones, and Deep Throat.
05:54So of course, yes, it was considered pornography.
05:56But however, The Green Door and Miss Jones and Deep Throat were all straight porn.
06:01This one had homosexual elements with male nudity.
06:04So sometimes you wonder, you know, was this a little bit sort of a disguise to show some gay content,
06:10or were the porn producers just trying to reach out to a new audience?
06:14I'm not really sure here.
06:16It's known to be an erotic romantic film directed by Radley Menzer.
06:20The film was based on an off-Broadway stage play that ran for 23 performances at the Mark and Nick Theatre
06:26on October 28, 1970 through to November 15, 1971,
06:30and featured Sylvester Stallone in a brief role as a telephone repairman, Mike.
06:35The theatrical version of Score was written by Jerry Douglas, who later became a mainstream screenwriter.
06:40Now, the film is based in a European city of leisure,
06:43it was actually filmed in Croatia,
06:45about a married couple named Jack and Elvira,
06:48who have an ongoing bet regarding who can seduce whom.
06:51This comes up in the wake of a swinging night with a couple of tourists picked up by a newspaper ad.
06:57Elvira, a self-possessed sexual snob, has a bet she can seduce newlywed Betsy,
07:03married to handsome marine biologist Eddie.
07:05If she fails by midnight, then Jack gets to seduce Eddie.
07:09The two couples get together that night and get slightly high on pot,
07:13pulling out a trunk of costumes, and they decide to play dress-up.
07:16As the night progresses, the two wives and two husbands pair off to wander and chat.
07:20During the course of their conversations, each of the naive couple admit to dissatisfaction,
07:25including questioning whether they even should have got married.
07:28Eddie, it turns out, was Betsy's brother's best friend,
07:31and there is a hint that he and Eddie maybe have been closer than friends,
07:35although Eddie doesn't seem to know Betsy might realise that.
07:39Betsy, meanwhile, lets her hair down and is even a little worried
07:42something might happen between her and Elvira.
07:45She also gets giddy at saying the word fuck for the first time.
07:48Downstairs, Jack remarks to Eddie that just before he and Elvira were married,
07:53she commented Jack and I would have hopped into bed with a porcupine if it had struck my fancy.
07:57Both Eddie and Betsy are simultaneously seduced, receiving and giving oral sex.
08:02Betsy is even penetrated with a strap-on while wearing a collar and a leash.
08:06Eddie is penetrated by Jack and has a brief hallucination that a person making love to him is Betsy.
08:12So as you can see, it's quite an exciting picture with lots of strange goings on,
08:16but as I said, once again, pretty daring for that period.
08:19It was released both as a softcore and a hardcore version.
08:23One DVD release, the softcore version, has a renewed copyright of 1975,
08:29so all prints featuring the 1976 copyright are director's approved and edited versions.
08:34But the film itself was actually released in the US in December 1973.
08:38Hardcore prints including full frontal male nudity and fellatio ran for 91 minutes,
08:43while the ubiquitous softcore prints were released in an 84-minute format.
08:47First-run pictures marked the original hardcore version on videocassette,
08:51though it was a limited release available by special mail order only.
08:54Gee, those were the days.
08:56Rotten critics are not enough scores for the critics,
08:58but for the audience gave it 56% with 100 plus reviews.
09:02The restored, uncut and uncensored hardcore version was released by Cult Epics on DVD
09:07and Blu-ray in 2010.
09:09As you can imagine, seeing this film now, it's pretty high camp,
09:13and the acting's terrible, and even the sex is awful,
09:16but look, it's such a fun sort of silly thing.
09:18I have got a free link which I will list below.
09:21Our next film today is The Naked Civil Servant from 1975,
09:25a comedy-drama film originally released December 17, 1975 in the UK,
09:30directed by Jack Gold with a screenplay by Philip Mackey.
09:34Based on the 1968 autobiography by Quinton Crisp,
09:38starring John Hurt, Patricia Hodge and John Rhys Davies.
09:41The Naked Civil Servant is a biographical film adapted from the autobiography
09:46of British writer and raconteur Quinton Crisp.
09:49The story follows Crisp's life from his youth in the early 20th century
09:53through to his adulthood in the 1960s.
09:56Quinton Crisp introduces the film saying that the decision to find someone else
10:01to play him was right as they are bound to do better than he does.
10:05He claims any film, even the worst, is at least better than real life.
10:09The constant comedian, I guess.
10:11The film begins in the late 1920s where the teenage Quinton lives at home
10:15with his grumpy middle-class father and adoring mother.
10:18He is becoming aware of his sexual orientation
10:20and realises that he is not sexually attracted to women.
10:23His parents seek medical advice to discover what is wrong with him,
10:26and he finally ends up sending him to an art college to force him into society.
10:30Well, I guess an art college is definitely where he would send someone
10:33who is worrying about their sexuality.
10:35At college he befriends a young female art student,
10:38but their relationship is strictly platonic.
10:40He later meets a transvestite prostitute who introduces him to a local gay hangout
10:45and he discovers the joys of make-up.
10:47Fascinated with this discovery, Quinton dyes his hair red
10:50and parades his homosexuality like a badge.
10:53His father tells him he looks like a male whore,
10:55and not opposed to the idea, he begins working as a prostitute
10:59after meeting his first boyfriend, Fung Nails, he leaves home.
11:02This is a fascinating look at London during the 1930s.
11:06I don't know if you've seen this, but there is a fantastic documentary on YouTube
11:10called Being Gay in the 30s, Gay Life in London.
11:13This is a fascinating trip.
11:15It was filmed, I think, like in the 70s or the 80s,
11:18and it's a group of people who lived in the 30s taking you around London
11:21showing you where they hung out and all of the different funny stories.
11:24It's a very good documentary.
11:27I defy you to do your worst.
11:29It can hardly be my worst.
11:31Mine has already and often happened to me.
11:34You cannot touch me now.
11:36I am one of the stately homos of England.
11:41In 1930, he gets a job as a commercial artist
11:44and moves out of Fung Nails' place on his own where he quits prostitution.
11:48It has become a mission to express his homosexuality
11:51and as a result he is rejected by almost everyone.
11:54He is constantly beaten up and the gay community won't associate with him
11:57because he is far too flamboyant, and they are all still in the closet.
12:01After he loses his job, he moves in with a ballet teacher
12:04and starts teaching tap dancing.
12:06In 1939, Quinton is rejected from serving in the military
12:09because of his homosexuality.
12:11He then begins working as a nude model in a government-funded school.
12:15He is later arrested for soliciting in London,
12:17but he turns the situation to his advantages
12:19and gives a life-defining speech at his court hearing.
12:22He has so many good character witnesses that the case is thrown out of court.
12:26Once again, we're looking at cottaging during the 30s and the early 40s,
12:29so interesting to look at London like this.
12:32In 1945, Quinton begins his third long-term relationship.
12:36His friend from art college has left her Polish lover to become a nun.
12:40Her lover, though has been institutionalized due to paranoid delusions,
12:44Quinton begins visiting him every weekend and splits up with his burly boyfriend,
12:49and when the Pole is allowed out to visit him,
12:51they become lovers until the Pole hangs himself.
12:53Once we reach 1975, towards the end of the film,
12:56Quinton shares comments that the symbols he adopted to express his individuality
13:01have become the uniform for all young people.
13:04He reminisces over one night of perfect happiness
13:06and declares himself one of the stately homos of England.
13:10The film explores Quinton's flamboyant personality
13:13and his defiance of social norms in a conservative British society.
13:17It delves into his struggles and the hope of phobia and poverty,
13:20as well as unwavering commitment to living a life on his own terms.
13:24The title refers to a period in Quinton's life
13:26where he worked as a nude model for a government art school.
13:30The Naked Civil Servant was a critical success.
13:32John Hurt's performance as Quinton Crisp was widely praised,
13:35earning him a BAFTA Award for Best Actor.
13:37The film also lauded an honest portrayal of homosexuality
13:40and his exploitation of individuality in a restricted society.
13:44It is considered a landmark film for the gay representation
13:47and for challenging social attitudes of that time.
13:50The Naked Civil Servant is a ground-breaking film
13:53that continues to resonate with audiences today.
13:55It's a powerful testament to the importance of living authentically
13:59and defying social expectations.
14:01The film's legacy lies in the contribution to gay representation on the screen
14:05and its exploitation of themes that remain relevant in contemporary society.
14:09The film was made for TV,
14:12originally broadcast on British channel ITV.
14:14It was later put onto PBS in the States.
14:17The film is credited with helping to launch John Hurt's career.
14:20It's a wonderful performance. You'll love this if you haven't seen it.
14:23Rotten Tomatoes, the critics, not enough to score,
14:26but the audience gave it 92% out of 500 plus reviews.
14:31There is a free version of this on YouTube at the moment,
14:34so I shall leave a link down below.
14:35You will really enjoy this film.
14:37Our next film is Outrageous, made in 1977.
14:41It was a Canadian comedy-drama film written by and directed by Richard Benner.
14:46The film stars Craig Russell as a female impersonator, Robin Turner,
14:50and Hollis McLaren as Turner's schizophrenic roommate Liz Connors.
14:54The plot begins in Toronto with later scenes in New York City.
14:58The film is based on Making It, a short story by writer Margaret Gibson
15:02from her 1976 collection The Butterfly Ward.
15:05Russell and Gibson were roommates in real life.
15:09Outrageous was one of the first gay-themed films ever to receive widespread theatrical release in North America.
15:15The sequel to Outrageous was released in 1987,
15:18and a stage musical was adapted from the film and was produced by Canadian Stage in 2000.
15:24Just to give you a synopsis here,
15:26Outrageous was a Canadian comedy-drama film that tells the story of Robin Turner,
15:30a gay hairstylist in Toronto with the dream of becoming a female impersonator.
15:35His life takes an unexpected turn when his friend Liza,
15:38a pregnant schizophrenic woman, escapes from a mental institution and needs a place to stay.
15:43Despite their contrasting personalities, Robin and Liza form a strong bond.
15:48Robin helps Liza navigate her pregnancy,
15:50while Liza encourages Robin to overcome his shyness and pursue his drag performance aspirations.
15:56Robin's debut at a club as Bette Davis,
15:58doing a routine mocking Joan Crawford's performance of Mildred Pierce,
16:01Autumn Leaves and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane,
16:04while singing live rather than lip-syncing.
16:06Robin continues to make appearances at the club,
16:09including a turn as Barbara Streisand,
16:11but loses his day job after a client complains to the salon's owner.
16:14With bills piling up, Robin leaves Canada for New York City,
16:17seeking success as a female impersonator.
16:20On his way to his first gig at the Jack Rabbit Club,
16:23he meets Bob, a cab driver who was formerly a talent agent,
16:26and agrees to allow Bob to represent him.
16:29Outrageous was praised for its heartwarming portrayal of an unconventional friendship.
16:33Its exploration of LGBTQ themes,
16:36and it was one of the first gay-themed films to receive that widespread release in the USA.
16:41Critics lauded the film's humour, sensitivity and strong performance,
16:44particularly those of Craig Russell and Hollis McLaren.
16:47And of course, Craig Russell went on to great success.
16:50I mean, everyone probably seen some of those shorts and clips that are on YouTube of Craig.
16:55Unfortunately, he has passed away now, but what a wonderful, wonderful performer.
16:59It was groundbreaking with its presenting a positive and relatable portrayal of a gay character
17:04in a sympathetic depletion of mental illness.
17:06The film's enduring legacy lies in a celebration of individuality,
17:10the power of friendship and the importance of living authentically.
17:13It's kind of funny to think that gay, drag queen, schizophrenics all roll into one story,
17:19but look, it is literally outrageous. You will enjoy this film.
17:23There was a musical adaption, as I said earlier, written by Brad Fraser and Joey Miller.
17:27The musical adaption was on Canadian Stage in 2000,
17:30with the cast of Tom Allison as Robin Turner and Loretta Bailey as Liz Connors.
17:35On Rotten Tomatoes, it's got a 100% critic score with 9 reviews
17:39and an audience score of 84% with 250+.
17:43So, audience love this film.
17:45There is a free version on YouTube at the moment, which I will leave the link down below.
17:49Don't miss this movie. You will really, really enjoy it.
17:52And as I said, if you can catch up on any of the Craig Russell clips on YouTube,
17:56he is just sensational to watch.
17:59Our next film is Hidden Pleasures, made in 1977.
18:03It's a drama film directed by Elie de la Iglesia.
18:07The film had a working title of The Other Side of the Street,
18:10which was used as a pejorative expression for homosexuality,
18:14considering too daring for its time and the title was changed upon release
18:18to The Hidden Pleasures, starring Simon Adu and Charo Lopez.
18:23The plot follows a middle-aged, closeted homosexual banker from a wealthy family
18:27who falls in love with a much younger heterosexual man,
18:30loosely based on death in Venice.
18:33It's notable for being one of the first extended representations of gay men in Spanish cinema.
18:38It's a drama film originally released in April 14, 1977 in Spain,
18:43but not released in the USA until April of 1986.
18:47Hidden Pleasures is a Spanish drama film which follows Eduardo,
18:51a closeted middle-aged wealthy banker.
18:53He leads a double life, indulging in encounters with young male hustlers
18:56while maintaining a respectable facade in society.
18:59His world is disrupted when he becomes fixated on a handsome young man
19:03who is not interested in men.
19:05Eduardo's obsession leads to a series of destructive consequences,
19:09exposing the protagonist's internal conflict
19:11and the social constraints placed on homosexuality during this time in Spain.
19:16Hidden Pleasures is considered the landmark film in Spanish cinema.
19:20It is notable for being one of the first films that openly depict a same-sex relationship,
19:25with limitations due to the social and political climate of Spain under Franco's dictatorship.
19:30The film explores themes of repressed desires, class differences and the dangers of living a lie.
19:35The film received mixed reviews upon its release,
19:38but some praised its bravery in tackling a taboo subject,
19:41while others criticised its portrayal of gay characters
19:44and its focus on the heterosexual relationships for a presumed straight audience.
19:48However, the film's historical significance
19:50is the influence on the future Spanish of gay cinema is undeniable.
19:55Of course, with this film, it would have needed to be made very carefully
19:59so that the homosexuality part would not have been the dominant part of the story,
20:04mainly to, I guess, please the senses of the time.
20:07The legacy of this film, of course, is, as I said,
20:10has become a major film of gay cinema from Spain,
20:14and is a reminder of the struggles that faced the community during this repressive era
20:18and paves the way for more open portrayals of homosexuality in the future of Spanish films,
20:23which, of course, they did.
20:24The film continues to spark discussions about identity, social pressures
20:28and the complexities of human relationships.
20:30This is a very, very interesting film, and I know that you will enjoy it.
20:34It's probably a little bit slow, but I guess that's sometimes with foreign films.
20:39There's no rating on Rotten Tomatoes for this, and it's currently playing on Prime.
20:43I'll try and find any other links for it as to how to see this one for you.
20:47Our next film is Gay USA 1977.
20:51Gay USA is an American documentary film released in 1978,
20:55directed by Arthur J. Bresson Jr.,
20:57best known for his 1985 gay AIDS drama, Buddies,
21:01which was one of the first films to feature AIDS and longtime companions together.
21:07The documentary focuses on the gay rights movement,
21:09composed of footage shot at a number of gay pride events around the USA in 1977.
21:15The film captures a time just as the gay rights movement began facing the first organized backlash
21:20in the form of Anita Bryant
21:22and her campaign to repeal anti-discrimination protection in Dade County.
21:26Gay USA conveys the passion, anger and the defiance and optimism of the community under attack.
21:31In the month of June 1977 alone,
21:34California's anti-gay Briggs Initiative had just been announced.
21:38Anita Bryant's vicious homophobia had helped repeal Miami's gay rights ordinance.
21:43A gay man named Robert Hillsborough had only days earlier
21:46been a victim of a fatal bay bashing in San Francisco.
21:50Bresson weaves in the audio of some of these homophobic voices
21:53and gives an overview of historical homophobia,
21:56including an account of gays and the Holocaust,
21:59and then illustrates the triumphant power of love and pride.
22:02In addition to the magnificent cross-sectional footage
22:04from the marches in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Diego and Philadelphia,
22:09Gay USA gives us a fantastic look at rare footage shot by Lillian Vinson
22:14of the very first gay pride parade in New York City in 1970,
22:19which was known as the Christopher Street Liberation Day,
22:22as well as showing Bresson's own previous shot footage
22:24from San Francisco's first major gay pride celebration in 1972.
22:29Gay USA's nationwide release after its August 1977 San Francisco premiere
22:34brought images out and proud LGBTQ people to the cities across the country.
22:39Just a few months later, Harvey Milk was sworn in as San Francisco's supervisor,
22:43becoming one of the first openly gay people elected to public office
22:47and delivering a triumphant conclusion to that harrowing year.
22:50Of course we all know what happened after all of this,
22:53and of course we had the terrible AIDS, the assassination of Harvey,
22:57so much stuff happened after this.
22:59I find watching these parades and thinking that AIDS virus had already started in these people
23:06and you think just how sad is this.
23:08Rotten Tomatoes, there was no ratings for this documentary,
23:12I'm not sure why that would not be rated, but nothing, I couldn't find anything there.
23:15It is free on YouTube, I will leave the link down below for you to have a check that one out.
23:21Hi, if you've been watching this long, I guess you must be enjoying our list.
23:25But please don't forget to like, comment and subscribe,
23:28as this sure helps the channel grow on the YouTube algorithm.
23:31Once again, I hope you're enjoying the list, and don't forget to wait for the last movie.
23:35Now our last film today is Dog Day Afternoon, made in 1975,
23:40directed by Sidney Lumet, screenplay by Frank Pearson,
23:43based on the Life Magazine article, Boys in the Bank, by P.F. Kludge and Thomas Moore.
23:48I know that you're all going to say, of course this film's not forgotten,
23:51and of course it's not, it's one of those classic films from the 70s.
23:54The reason that I have included here is why John Worsink robbed the bank.
24:00I thought it was kind of interesting to discuss a mainstream film
24:04that was talking about transsexuals and sexual reassignment
24:08in the same list of films that we've been talking about bisexuals
24:13and all of these things that happened in the 70s.
24:15I just thought it was an interesting connection that this was a mainstream film.
24:18Of course, some other gritty films from the 70s included
24:21Clute, The French Connection and Network.
24:24So just to give you a bit of perspective here, as these other films we were talking about,
24:28either we classify them maybe as art house or slash porn,
24:32how we would consider those these days.
24:34Now of course the film starred Al Pacino, John Casale, Charles During and James Broderick.
24:40It was considered as a crime drama because it was based on something ripped from the newspapers.
24:45It was released in September 21, 1975 at the New York premiere.
24:50The basic storyline here with Dog Day Afternoon was a biographical crime drama film
24:55inspired by the 1972 bank robbery and hostage situation
24:59by John Worsink and Salvador Natural in Brooklyn, New York.
25:03The film fictionizes the events focusing on Sonny and Sal,
25:07the two inexperienced criminals attempting to rob a bank.
25:10The situation quickly spirals out of control as the scorching summer heat,
25:14calling it Dog Day, adds to the pressure.
25:17Dog Day Afternoon was directed by legendary Sidney Lumet and isn't your typical bank heist.
25:22Released in 1975, it transcends the gender and its raw portrayal of desperation,
25:27human frailty and the simmering pressures of New York City in the scorching summer heat.
25:31Al Pacino delivers a career-defining performance as Sonny Worsink
25:35and John Casale in one of his final roles portrays Sal,
25:39Sonny's volatile and unpredictable accomplice.
25:42The plan quickly unravels, leading to a tense hostage situation with the police.
25:46Lumet masterfully builds tension throughout the film.
25:49The claustrophobic close-ups capture the escalating emotions within the bank,
25:52while the sweltering outdoor scenes showcase the growing media frenzy.
25:56The film doesn't shy away from the dark humor that emerges in such a bizarre situation,
26:01offering strange moments of bringing down Sonny's mother,
26:05his wife and also having his transsexual lover there.
26:10It's a very unusual film, and as I said, when you think this was a mainstream film
26:15that made a lot of money and was very successful for Warner Bros.
26:19What truly elevates Dog Day Afternoon is the exploration of the character's humanity.
26:23We see Sonny's desperation morph into paranoia,
26:27while the hostages grapple with fear and a strange sense of empathy for their captures.
26:31The film avoids clean cut-out heroes and villains,
26:34instead pressing flawed individuals caught in a web of circumstance.
26:38The supporting cast is equally impressive.
26:40Charles During shines as the lead police navigator,
26:43a man trying to maintain order against a growing media circus.
26:47The film doesn't shy away from critiquing the media's behavior at the event,
26:52highlighting its impact on an already volatile situation.
26:55Sonny, desperate for the money to fund his other wife's
26:58slash girlfriend's sex reassignment surgery,
27:00struggles to maintain control of the hostages and the police negotiators.
27:04The film explores the psychological toll of the event on both robbers and hostages,
27:08showcasing moments of tension, desperation and even dark humor.
27:12Critical reception here, it was a commercial success.
27:14Al Pacino's performance as increasingly erratic Sonny earned widespread acclaim,
27:19establishing him as a major Hollywood star.
27:21The film was praised for its realistic portrayal of the advanced exploration of humor,
27:25desperation and the nuanced characters.
27:27It received six Academy Award nominations,
27:29including Best Picture and Best Actor for Pacino,
27:32with Frank Pearson winning for Best Original Screenplay.
27:35Is it worth watching? Absolutely.
27:37Dog Day Afternoon is a must-see for fans of crime dramas and character-driven films alike.
27:42Al Pacino's iconic performance, Cindy Lamet's masterful direction
27:46and the film's enduring themes make it a timeless classic.
27:49Just be prepared for a ride that's as intense as a New York summer heat.
27:52Dog Day Afternoon remains a classic film,
27:54considered one of the greatest heist films ever made.
27:56It continues to be relevant for exploration of social issues
27:59and the timeless portrayal of human emotions in a high-pressure situation.
28:03The film's iconic lines, such as Attica and Sonny wants a plane,
28:06have become ingrained in popular culture.
28:08The real-life John Wolsick distanced himself from the film's portrayal of him,
28:12the film's sparse discussion about mental health and the social safety net in the USA.
28:17Dog Day's influence can be seen in numerous heist films and TV shows that followed.
28:21On Rotten Tomatoes, the critics gave it 96% out of only 54 reviews.
28:26The audience, however, gave it 90% out of 100,000-plus reviews.
28:30I think you can judge.
28:3254 reviews for critics is a bit odd, but I guess it's an old film now,
28:35but I think basically everybody just loves this film.
28:38I'd like to thank you for staying with us today for our list.
28:41I hope you enjoyed it.
28:42There is certainly an odd mix here, and as I said,
28:45hopefully you'll be able to see most of these for free on YouTube
28:48or I think on archive.org where we have some links, which will all be down below.
28:52Once again, thanks for being there, and I hope you enjoyed it.
28:54Don't forget to like, comment and subscribe.
28:56This is Steve from The Gay Dolls.
28:57I'll speak to you soon.
28:58Bye for now.