Gays and Lesbians in Mainstream Cinema
Plots, Critiques, Casts and Credits for 272 Theatrical and Made-For-Television Hollywood Releases
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Hollywood's depiction of gays and lesbians has almost always been stereotypical, from extremely effeminate characters to the homicidal homosexual. This comprehensive filmography of homosexual characters in mainstream movies, 1914-1992, includes full cast and credits, production information, reviews, and an analysis of the film with an essay blending critical commentary and a synopsis.
Hollywood’s depiction of gays and lesbians was for a long time stereotypical, from the extremely effeminate characters portrayed by Franklin Pangborn, Eric Blore, and Grady Sutton in the 1930s to the gay figures in such later films as To Be or Not to Be (1983) and Torch Song Trilogy (1988). A contrasting depiction—the homicidal homosexual—was the basis for such popular films as Rope (1948), Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977), Cruising (1980), and Basic Instinct (1992). Another onscreen trend was to present homosexual and lesbian characters as the victims of ostracism, blackmail, or of being pushed by the majority’s bigotry to suicide, in such films as Tea and Sympathy (1956), The Children’s Hour (1961), Advise and Consent (1962), 7 Women (1965), Rachel, Rachel (1968), Silkwood (1983), and My Own Private Idaho (1991). A major breakthrough in the genre occurred with Longtime Companion (1989), a sympathetic presentation of gay life during the AIDS epidemic. Other compassionate, trendsetting studies of gays and lesbians on the screen occurred in A Very Natural Thing (1973), Lianna (1983), An Early Frost (1985), Fried Green Tomatoes (1991), and Doing Time on Maple Drive (1992). This detailed filmography to gay and lesbian characters in mainstream American movies includes full cast and credits to over 270 theatrical and made-for-television genre releases. Each entry also includes production information, reviews, and an analysis of the film with an essay blending critical commentary and synopsis of the picture. Additionally, this book provides a brief history of regulatory codes within the American film industry.
Press Reviews:
"fascinating.... Highly recommended" -- Library Journal
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