Before Stonewall (1984)

The history of the Gay and Lesbian community before the Stonewall riots began the major gay rights movement.

Directors:

Greta Schiller, Robert Rosenberg

Stars:

Rita Mae Brown, Red Jordan Arobateau, Ann Bannon

3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Rita Mae Brown	...	Narrator
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Red Jordan Arobateau	...	Himself - writer
Ann Bannon	...	Herself - university professor
Lisa Ben	...	Herself - former secretary
Gladys Bentley	...	Herself (voice)
George Buse	...	Himself - newspaper reporter, former Army Chaplain
Carroll Davis	...	Himself - performer
Martin Duberman	...	Himself - historian and playwright
Allen Ginsberg	...	Himself
Barbara Gittings	...	Herself - gay activist
Barbara Grier	...	Herself - publisher
Mabel Hampton	...	Herself - dancer, former domestic worker
Harry Hay	...	Himself - political activist
Dorothy Hillaire	...	Herself - Native American activist (as Dorothy 'Smilie' Hillaire)
Evelyn Hooker	...	Herself (as Dr. Evelyn Hooker)

Storyline

New York City's Stonewall Inn is regarded by many as the site of gay and lesbian liberation since it was at this bar that drag queens fought back against police June 27-28, 1969. This documentary uses extensive archival film, movie clips and personal recollections to construct an audiovisual history of the gay community before the Stonewall riots.

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Plot Keywords:

gay | lesbian | stonewall riot | drag queen | drag | 

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Genres:

Documentary | History

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Details

Official Sites:

Press kit

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 June 1985 (USA)

Also Known As:

Before Stonewall: The Making of a Gay and Lesbian Community

Company Credits

Production Co:

Before Stonewall Inc., Center for the Study of Filmed History

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Features Fireworks (1947)

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Soundtracks

"Over the Rainbow"
(uncredited)
Music by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg
Performed by Judy Garland
Played during the '50s sequence

User Reviews

Getting caught often led to ruined lives, imprisonment, commitment to a mental institution or suicide.

An absolutely fascinating account of gay life in the United States before 1969, especially how WWII changed everything.

This collection of interviews, archival material, and history gives a clear picture of how gays and lesbians lived and interacted in this country before people "came out" publicly.

I was impressed with those who came out openly in the 50s and started the first gay and lesbian organizations and magazines. These were people of extreme courage.

The incorporation of gays and lesbians in the civil rights movement and the women's movement was thoroughly examined.

This film should be seen by all to have a better understanding of oppression in America, and how far we have come.