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

"America"
(uncredited)
aka "My Country 'tis of Thee"
Music from "God Save the King"
Traditional
Played when the soldiers are returning from WWII
Also performed as "God Save the Queens" at the Black Cat Club reunion

User Reviews

My Father is One of the Eight Actors in Solame

Have many pictures of our father (Louis Dumar) in silents - my sister has one of him in Salome in her guest bedroom. Just found out last year, from a German website, about the film's "all gay" reputation.

He died 50+ yrs ago, so no way to find out real scoop now.

I purchased a Video of the short version - apparently all that remains - of the film and have have had some good laughs showing it to friends. The costumes are great and the whole thing very much before it's time. Hope to find out more about it's history.

Our dad's brother (Gino Corrado) was also in the movies, and is credited with something 272 appearances from 1916 to the 1970's. Remember seeing him in "B" movies on TV as a kid.