The Celluloid Closet

Robert Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman: The Celluloid Closet (1995).

/ / US / 1995 / Epstein, Robert etc. / documentary
    Celluloid Closet, The / Luuranko kaapissa.
    US 1995 © Reflecting Image Ltd. D: Robert Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman. Based on the book by Vito Russo. Narration written by Armistead Maupin. M: Carter Burwell. Theme song: ”Secret Love” performed by k.d. lang.
    CLIPS: Their First Mistake, Morocco, Queen Christina, Red River, Calamity Jane, Rebecca, The Maltese Falcon, Ben Hur, Victim, Advise and Consent, A Walk On the Wild Side, Cruising, Making Love, Sunday Bloody Sunday, The Color Purple, Thelma & Louise, Boys On the Side, Philadelphia, Parting Glances, Desert Hearts, Pillow Talk, Caged, Silkwood.
    FEAT: Tony Curtis, Whoopi Goldberg, Richard Dyer, Gore Vidal, Farley Granger, Stewart Stern, Shirley MacLaine, Tom Hanks, Ron Nyswaner, John Schlesinger, Susan Sarandon. 101’.
    Telecast by Yleisradio TV2 ”25th Hour” on 27 January 1998 (PAL). Finnish commentary and subtitles by Petri Griinari, Tuija Westerholm. Below average transmission quality. Viewed in Helsinki on VHS on Saturday 31 January 1998. ****

A first rate compilation film about the hidden story of homosexual love in the history of the American cinema. The clips are marvellous and put in context get new resonance. The international dimension is completely missing. The first feature film depicting homosexuality was Wings (1916) directed in Sweden by the Helsinki-born Mauritz Stiller.