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

The original Broadway production of "Torch Song Trilogy" by Harvey Fierstein opened at the Little Theater in New York on June 10, 1982, ran for 1222 performances and won the 1983 Tony Award for the Best Play.

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Quotes

Arnold: Isn't that a kick in the rubber parts?

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Connections

References What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)

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Soundtracks

"'S Wonderful"
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Performed by Joe Williams with Count Basie and His Orchestra

User Reviews

Wonderfully deep

This film is very deep and superbly acted. It requires a viewer with a heart, but once you got that working you will surely fall into this touching drama. What is most appealing about this film is its realism and the fact that scenes of heartfelt drama are followed by light hearted humour, leading one easily through this well designed