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Features: DVD, Special Edition, Pan and Scan (TV Format), Dolby Surround Sound, English, Subtitled
What That's Entertainment did for movie musicals, The Celluloid Closet does for Hollywood homosexuality, as this exuberant, eye-opening movie serves up a dazzling hundred-year history of the role of gay men and lesbians on the silver screen. Lily Tomlin narrates as Oscar-winning moviemaker Rob Epstein (The Times Of Harvey Milk and Common Threads: Stories From the Quilt) and Jeffrey Friedman assemble fabulous footage from 120 films showing the changing face of cinema sexuality, from cruel stereotypes to covert love to the activist triumphs of the 1990s. Tom Hanks, Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Curtis, Harvey Fierstein and Gore Vidal are just a few of the many actors, writers and commentators who provide funny and insightful anecdotes.
"Two thumbs up...terrific." Siskel & Ebert
Editor's Note
Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman's documentary chronicles the way movies have portrayed homosexuals for the past 100 years and how these images, both positive and negative, have helped shape America's attitudes toward gays. Among the topics examined via interviews and film clips are the various gay stereotypes that recur onscreen, gay subtexts in such macho films as SPARTACUS and BEN-HUR, and how negative images of homosexuality created emotional conflict within the gay moviegoer. But the film also shows how the times have greatly changed, bringing more--and more realistic--gay characters to the silver screen. Interviewees include Susan Sarandon, Tony Curtis, Shirley MacLaine and Tom Hanks, among others. The film is based on the 1981 book by Vito Russo.
Plot Summary
Lily Tomlin narrates this in-depth examination of the film industry's portrayal of homosexual characters throughout its history. This fascinating documentary points out not only where and how such characters appear but also where and how they've been avoided.
| Features | Direct Weblink To Glaad Website | | Interactive Menus | | Production Notes Including Letters From Gore Vidal And Charlton Heston | | Scene Selection | | Bonus Trailers | | Collection Of Outtakes | | Talent Files | | English Subtitles | | Commentary With Filmmakers Robert Epstein And Jeffrey Rosenman, And Editor Arnold Glassman | | Additional Commentary With Author Vito Russo | | Digitally Mastered Audio And Video | | Full Screen Presentation | | English 5.1 Surround Dolby Digital |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Columbia Tri-Star |
| Release Date: 6/24/2008 |
| Running Time: 101 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1996 | | Catalog ID: 82107 | | UPC: 00043396821071 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English | | Available Subtitles: English | | Video: Color |
| Cast & Crew | Vito Russo - Based On Novel By | | Rob Epstein - Director | | Nancy Schreiber - Director of Photography | | Susan Sarandon - Featuring | | Tom Hanks - Featuring | | Whoopi Goldberg - Featuring | | Carter Burwell - Musical Score | | Lily Tomlin - Narrated By | | Wendy Braitman, et al. - Producer | | Robert Epstein, et al. - Writer |
| Memorable Quotes| "The sissy made everyone feel more manly or more womanly by filling the space in between."----Lily Tomlin, discussing one of Hollywood's recurring caricatures | | "I thought of Gene Kelly, my mother, and a little bit of Eve Arden."----Tony Curtis, discussing his inspiration for the character he played in the classic comedy SOME LIKE IT HOT | | "We did the picture wrong."----SHIRLEY MACLAINE, about her 1961 film THE CHILDREN'S HOUR, which played down its lesbian theme. |
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| | Professional Reviews | Premiere
"...Snappy, glamorous, enjoyable..." 04/01/1996 pp.28-9Rolling Stone
"...The force of prejudice this film reveals will send you reeling..." 03/21/1996 p.106 Sight and Sound
"...Charming..." 07/01/1996 p.40-1 USA Today
"...The film is packed with savvily chosen screen scene..." -- 4 out of 4 stars 04/05/1996 p.7D Variety
"...An immensely entertaining, galloping reflection on screen perceptions of lesbians and gay men, from the humorous to the heinous to the heartening..." 09/11/1995 Los Angeles Times
"...A remarkable and involving documentary that is literally eye-opening..." 03/15/1996 p.F10 Washington Post 8 of 10
...an entertaining, instructive adaptation of the late Vito Russo's book... It's tickilishly entertaining to see movie history in this alternate light, rather than along the That's Entertainment company line... - Desson Howe
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