Back in the early 1970s, while George Lucas was immortalizing the “cruising” culture of teens and their cars in “American Graffiti,” his future frequent collaborator Steven Spielberg was exploring a different kind. Nearly a decade before director William Friedkin created a scandal with the Al Pacino-starring “Cruising” (released 37 years ago today), the wunderkind filmmaker—who has won over generations of audiences by evoking a childlike sense of wonder—almost made his leap from TV to features with the most adult-themed project imaginable.
It all started with producer Philip D’Antoni, who had won an Oscar for the 1971 drug-bust saga “The French Connection” and was looking for a filmmaker to helm another New York City-set crime project. He had just bought the rights to the novel “Cruising,” written by The New York Times feature writer Gerald Walker, in which an undercover cop descends into the leather bars of Greenwich Village as he tracks a homosexual murderer.
It all started with producer Philip D’Antoni, who had won an Oscar for the 1971 drug-bust saga “The French Connection” and was looking for a filmmaker to helm another New York City-set crime project. He had just bought the rights to the novel “Cruising,” written by The New York Times feature writer Gerald Walker, in which an undercover cop descends into the leather bars of Greenwich Village as he tracks a homosexual murderer.
- 2/15/2017
- by Michael Gingold
- Indiewire
Similar News
Susan Backlinie, Who Played the First Shark Attack Victim in ‘Jaws,’ Dies at 77
- 5/12/2024
- by Selena Kuznikov and Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Susan Backlinie Dies: ‘Jaws’ Actress Who Played First Shark Victim In Blockbuster Was 77
- 5/12/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
“This is something that a kid like me could do”: Twisters Star Anthony Ramos Was Surprised by Steven Spielberg’s Demand That Will Upset ‘Anti-Woke’ Brigade
- 5/12/2024
- by Rahul Thokchom
- FandomWire
How An Unassuming Lucasfilm Employee Ended Up Playing Jedi Aayla Secura In Star Wars
- 5/12/2024
- by Ryan Scott
- Slash Film
Roger Corman, King of the Bs, Dies at 98
- 5/12/2024
- by Tom Elrod
- Slant Magazine
“If you’re going to write about death, you should feel it”: George R.R. Martin Has a Valid Criticism for George Lucas’ Star Wars After Defending the Infamous Red Wedding
- 5/12/2024
- by Ananya Godboley
- FandomWire
Steven Spielberg's Biggest Minority Report Inspiration Had Nothing To Do With Sci-Fi
- 5/12/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
“I really wanted to say his dialogue”: Taylor Sheridan Squeezed Nicole Kidman Into His CIA Show After Actress Was Originally Set to Work Only as a Producer
- 5/12/2024
- by Mishkaat Khan
- FandomWire
The Twilight Zone Creator Rod Serling Wrote A Classic 60s Political Thriller
- 5/12/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.
More to explore
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Swings to $72 Million at Overseas Box Office, Mighty $129 Million Globally
- 5/12/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
BAFTA TV Awards: ‘Top Boy,’ ‘Happy Valley’ Win Two Each as ‘The Crown,’ ‘Black Mirror’ Miss Out
- 5/12/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Roger Corman, Pioneering Independent Producer and King of B Movies, Dies at 98
- 5/12/2024
- by Richard Natale and Tim Gray
- Variety - TV News
John Oliver Hoped Finland’s Partially Nude Windows95man (and His Giant Denim Egg) Had Won Eurovision
- 5/13/2024
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
China Box Office: ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Opens on Top of Weekend Chart
- 5/13/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - Film News
Aida Rodriguez: Unpacking My Childhood Traumas Through Comedy Is Cathartic
- 5/6/2024
- by Aida Rodriguez
- Popsugar.com
How Erik Rivera Uses Comedy to Heal and Help Others
- 5/6/2024
- by Miguel Machado
- Popsugar.com
Ian Lara: Comedy Gave Me the Strength to Overcome My Mother's Death
- 5/6/2024
- by Ian Lara
- Popsugar.com
Sasha Merci: How Comedy Has Helped Me Navigate Depression
- 5/6/2024
- by Sasha Merci
- Popsugar.com
Gina Brillon: The Loss of My Grandmother Pushed Me to Pursue Comedy
- 5/6/2024
- by Gina Brillon
- Popsugar.com
Walton Goggins Found Transforming Into the Ghoul in ‘Fallout’ Challenging: ‘It Was Extremely Uncomfortable’
- 5/13/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Why DeAnne Smith Featured Their Ex-Boobs in Hannah Gadsby’s Latest Netflix Special
- 5/12/2024
- by Alison Foreman
- Indiewire
Screenwriting Couple Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver Offer Advice on Breaking into Industry: ‘Try to Make the Stories as Personal as Possible’
- 5/12/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Amy Poehler Wants ‘Inside Out’ Series to Be Like Michael Apted’s ‘Up’ Saga, Show Character Riley as ‘a Young Adult, and a Young Mother’
- 5/12/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
Justin Lin Believes Cultural Labels Can Hurt Careers: ‘I Do Think There Are Restrictions’
- 5/12/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Swings to $72 Million at Overseas Box Office, Mighty $129 Million Globally
- 5/12/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety - Film News
Roger Corman, Pioneering Independent Producer and King of B Movies, Dies at 98
- 5/12/2024
- by Richard Natale and Tim Gray
- Variety - TV News
Walton Goggins Found Transforming Into the Ghoul in ‘Fallout’ Challenging: ‘It Was Extremely Uncomfortable’
- 5/13/2024
- by Harrison Richlin
- Indiewire
A dog in the dock and another doing red carpet interviews: why has Cannes gone canine crazy?
- 5/13/2024
- by Philip Oltermann
- The Guardian - Film News
China Box Office: ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Opens on Top of Weekend Chart
- 5/13/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety - Film News
BAFTA TV Awards: ‘Top Boy,’ ‘Happy Valley’ Win Two Each as ‘The Crown,’ ‘Black Mirror’ Miss Out
- 5/12/2024
- by Lily Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Skip Intro Podcast
- 5/13/2024
- by Podcast Staff
- Tudum - Netflix
‘Interview With the Vampire’ Stars Break Down ‘Me & You’ Scene From Premiere (Video)
- 5/13/2024
- TV Insider
‘American Idol’ Top 3 Revealed on Disney Night: Do You Agree With Voters? (Recap)
- 5/13/2024
- TV Insider
Explaining the ‘Interview With the Vampire’ Season 2 Premiere — And That Creepy New Monster
- 5/13/2024
- TV Insider