The Boys in the Band (1970)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

William Friedkin

Writers:

Mart Crowley (play)
Mart Crowley (screenplay)

Release Date:

17 March 1970 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

"The Boys in the Band" ...is not a musical.

Plot:

Tempers fray and true selves are revealed when a heterosexual is accidentally invited to a homosexual party.

Plot Keywords:

Party | Birthday | Homosexual | Telephone | Apartment

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Kenneth Nelson	...	Michael
Frederick Combs	...	Donald
Cliff Gorman	...	Emory
Laurence Luckinbill	...	Hank
Keith Prentice	...	Larry
Peter White	...	Alan McCarthy
Reuben Greene	...	Bernard
Robert La Tourneaux	...	Cowboy Tex
Leonard Frey	...	Harold
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Maud Adams	...	Photo Model (uncredited)
Elaine Kaufman	...	Extra / pedestrian (uncredited)

Directed by
William Friedkin

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Mart Crowley		play
Mart Crowley		screenplay

Produced by
Mart Crowley	....	producer
Dominick Dunne	....	executive producer
Robert Jiras	....	executive producer
Kenneth Utt	....	associate producer

Cinematography by
Arthur J. Ornitz

Film Editing by
Gerald B. Greenberg
Carl Lerner

Production Design by
John Robert Lloyd

Set Decoration by
Philip Smith

Costume Design by
W. Robert La Vine

Makeup Department
Verne Caruso	....	hair stylist
John Jiras	....	makeup artist
Bob O'Bradovich	....	makeup supervisor

Production Management
Paul Ganapoler	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Fred T. Gallo	....	assistant director
William C. Gerrity	....	assistant director

Art Department
Joseph M. Caracciolo	....	property master
Edward Garzero	....	master scenic artist
James Halligan	....	construction grip (as Jim Halligan)
Robert H. Klatt	....	set dresser (as Robert Klatt)
Ken Paquette	....	head carpenter
Robert Wightman	....	assistant art director

Sound Department
Jean Bagley	....	dubbing editor
Arthur Bloom	....	boom operator
Vincent Connelly	....	sound editor
Jack Fitzstephens	....	sound editor
Al Gramaglia	....	sound re-recording mixer
Jack C. Jacobsen	....	sound
Sanford Rackow	....	sound editor
James Perdue	....	sound (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Michael Mahony	....	key grip
Sal Martorano	....	chief electrician
Willie Meyerhoff	....	chief electrician
Dick Mingalone	....	camera operator
Muky	....	still photographer
Felix Trimboli	....	assistant camera

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Joseph W. Dehn	....	wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
Lynn Lewis Lovett	....	assistant editor

Other crew
Everett Alson	....	title designer: main titles
Peter Benoit	....	unit publicist
Nancy Hopton	....	script supervisor (as Nancy Tonery)
Adeline Leonard Seakwood	....	production secretary (as Adeline Leonard)
Ruth A. Oberdorfer	....	secretary to producers (as Ruth Oberdorfer)
Lillian Osorowitz	....	production auditor

Production Companies

• Cinema Center Films
• Leo Films

Distributors

• National General Pictures (1970) (USA) (theatrical)
• S.N. Prodis (1970) (France) (theatrical)

Runtime:

118 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

France:-16 (1972) | Australia:R | UK:15 | Finland:K-16 | Norway:18 (1972) | Sweden:15 | USA:R | Iceland:12

Company:

Cinema Center Films

Trivia:

Stars all of the same actors from the original play. Producer/author Mart Crowley insisted that the entire original cast of the off-Broadway production be used in the film.

Goofs:

Continuity: While Emery starts serving his "depressed pasta" at the party, the rose in his teeth changes direction.

Quotes:

Cowboy: [about long distance calls] I'm glad I don't have to pay the bill!
Michael: Quiet!
Harold: Oh! Don't worry, Michael won't pay it either.

Movie Connections:

References Suddenly, Last Summer (1959)

Soundtrack:

Anything Goes

First Major Film To Portray Homosexuality in a Mature Way.

The Boys In The Band is my favorite all-time movie. It still sends a message and holds up well even in this decade. Every actor in this cast is perfect for the character they play. This film may have been the first major film to portray homosexuality in a mature way and still is the best film above all. This is not a disgusting film. It is honest and dramatic. I have seen this film several times through different ages and chapters of my life. I get more out of it each time. Sadly, most of the cast, Robert La Tourneaux, Leonard Frey, Frederick Combs, Keith Prentice, Kenneth Nelson and Cliff Gorman are no longer with us. All men should see this film. The best instrumental version of "The Look Of Love" by Burt Bacharach can be heard here. I wish "The Boys In The Band" could be restored and re-issued on VHS video and for DVD.