Torch Song Trilogy (1988)

Tony Award-winning actor and playwright Harvey Fierstein re-creates his role as the unsinkable Arnold Beckoff in this film adaptation of the smash Broadway play TORCH SONG TRILOGY. A very ... See full summary »

Director:

Paul Bogart

Writers:

Harvey Fierstein (play), Harvey Fierstein (screenplay)

Stars:

Anne Bancroft, Matthew Broderick, Harvey Fierstein

1 win & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Anne Bancroft	...	Ma Beckoff
Matthew Broderick	...	Alan Simon
Harvey Fierstein	...	Arnold Beckoff
Brian Kerwin	...	Ed Reese
Karen Young	...	Laurel
Eddie Castrodad	...	David
Ken Page	...	Murray
Charles Pierce	...	Bertha Venation
Axel Vera	...	Marina Del Rey
Benji Schulman	...	Young Arnold Beckoff
Nick Montgomery	...	Chorus Boy #1
Robert Neary	...	Chorus Boy #2
Kim Clark	...	Female Bar Patron #1
Stephanie Penn	...	Female Bar Patron #2
Geoffrey Harding	...	Man with Lighter

Storyline

Tony Award-winning actor and playwright Harvey Fierstein re-creates his role as the unsinkable Arnold Beckoff in this film adaptation of the smash Broadway play TORCH SONG TRILOGY. A very personal story that is both funny and poignant, TORCH SONG TRILOGY chronicles a New Yorker's search for love, respect and tradition in a world that seems not especially made for him. From Arnold's hilarious steps toward domestic bliss with a reluctant school teacher, to his first truly promising love affair with a young fashion model, Arnold's greatest challenge remains his complicated relationship with his mother. But armed with a keenly developed sense of humor and oftentimes piercing wit, Arnold continues to test the commonly accepted terms of endearment--and endurance--in a universally affecting story that confirms that happiness is well worth carrying a torch for.

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Plot Keywords:

tearjerker | gay kiss | homosexuality | gay bar | new york city | 

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Taglines:

It takes a lot of guts and a helluva sense of humor to live life in Arnold's shoes.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Hebrew

Release Date:

14 December 1988 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das Kuckucksei

Filming Locations:

Denville, New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$4,865,997 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

New Line Cinema, Howard Gottfried/Ronald K. Fierstein Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Paul Bogart:  auditions as one of the dancing partners.

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Quotes

Arnold: You can't expect me to sit around all the time waiting for you to call.
Ed: Oh, I never asked you to. I told you to go out, have a good time, meet other people.
Arnold: I can't. I'm not built that way.
Ed: Well, I'm just not ready to make that kind of commitment.
Arnold: I'm not asking you to. But if I have to accept you going out, then you have to accept that I'm not.

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Connections

Featured in The Celluloid Closet (1995)

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Soundtracks

"Skylark"
Music by Hoagy Carmichael
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Performed by Marilyn Scott

User Reviews

Harvey Fierstein's brilliant depiction of gay life in the late seventies

A touching portrayal of the difficulties involved in family relationships among gays. Noteworthy performances by Fierstein, Broderick and Bancroft. Lotsa laughs and tears. An underground film that deserves more attention. Daring and disturbing, this film examines the trying reality of being rejected by family, friends and co-workers for no other reason than homosexuality.