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The Celluloid Closet

  • 1995
  • R
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
7.6K
YOUR RATING
Marlene Dietrich, Charlton Heston, Elizabeth Taylor, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon in The Celluloid Closet (1995)
DocumentaryHistory

A documentary surveying the various Hollywood screen depictions of homosexuals and the attitudes behind them throughout the history of North American film.A documentary surveying the various Hollywood screen depictions of homosexuals and the attitudes behind them throughout the history of North American film.A documentary surveying the various Hollywood screen depictions of homosexuals and the attitudes behind them throughout the history of North American film.

  • Directors
    • Rob Epstein
    • Jeffrey Friedman
  • Writers
    • Vito Russo
    • Rob Epstein
    • Jeffrey Friedman
  • Stars
    • Lily Tomlin
    • Tony Curtis
    • Susie Bright
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    7.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Rob Epstein
      • Jeffrey Friedman
    • Writers
      • Vito Russo
      • Rob Epstein
      • Jeffrey Friedman
    • Stars
      • Lily Tomlin
      • Tony Curtis
      • Susie Bright
    • 60User reviews
    • 33Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 5 Primetime Emmys
      • 7 wins & 9 nominations total

    Videos1

    The Celluloid Closet
    Trailer 2:10
    The Celluloid Closet

    Photos11

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    Top cast40

    Edit
    Lily Tomlin
    Lily Tomlin
    • Self - Narrator
    • (voice)
    Tony Curtis
    Tony Curtis
    • Self
    Susie Bright
    • Self
    Arthur Laurents
    Arthur Laurents
    • Self
    Armistead Maupin
    Armistead Maupin
    • Self
    Whoopi Goldberg
    Whoopi Goldberg
    • Self
    Jan Oxenberg
    • Self
    Harvey Fierstein
    Harvey Fierstein
    • Self
    Quentin Crisp
    Quentin Crisp
    • Self
    Richard Dyer
    • Self
    Jay Presson Allen
    Jay Presson Allen
    • Self
    Mrs. Gustav Ketterer
    • Self
    Gore Vidal
    Gore Vidal
    • Self
    Will H. Hays
    Will H. Hays
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Farley Granger
    Farley Granger
    • Self
    Paul Rudnick
    Paul Rudnick
    • Self
    Shirley MacLaine
    Shirley MacLaine
    • Self
    Barry Sandler
    • Self
    • Directors
      • Rob Epstein
      • Jeffrey Friedman
    • Writers
      • Vito Russo
      • Rob Epstein
      • Jeffrey Friedman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Actor Michael Ontkean not only declined to be interviewed for the documentary but also attempted to prevent clips from his film Making Love (1982) from being shown in it. He was unsuccessful.
    • Quotes

      Quentin Crisp: Mainstream people dislike homosexuality because they can't help concentrating on what homosexual men do to one another. And when you contemplate what people do, you think of yourself doing it. And they don't like that. That's the famous joke: I don't like peas, and I'm glad I don't like them, because if I liked them I would eat them and I hate them.

    • Connections
      Edited into Rescued from the Closet (2001)
    • Soundtracks
      Advise and Consent (Main Theme)
      Written by Jerry Fielding

      Performed by Frank Sinatra (uncredited)

      Courtesy of Warner Bros. Inc.

    User reviews60

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10

    Everyone should see this film.....every film lover especially so; every gay person definitely!

    This is not a "film" in the traditional sense...perhaps

    This is not a "documentary" in the traditional sense...probably

    What is it??

    The Celluloid Closet is a comprehensive history of film - gay film, straight film, "is she/isn't she?..." film. Everything. It is the result of 10 years hard work - no-one (especially big film/tv studios) is keen to fund a 2 hour film on gay movie visibility, they're all too busy closetted away (often literally) making sure viewers won't be offended by their output...

    However the time, effort and sheer love that has gone into this is utterly evident and it may be a blessing in disguise that it took so very long. The film is based heavily on the late Vitto Russo's book of the same name. Russo was a film buff who catalogued in detail the visibility of gay and lesbian characters in cinema. He included film from across the globe and updated the book for the last time in the mid eighties (Parting Glances and My Beautiful Launderette having just been completed) before the explosion of new gay film of the last decade. The film takes the historical content of the book and uses the best editing *I* have ever seen to produce enlightening sequences on the treatment of gay people and issues. Although it only concentrates on Hollywood films, it has the advantage over the book in that it was right up to date at its time of completion.

    Not only does The Celluloid Closet use self-appointed gay films, it also takes enormous pleasure in covering those films we love and know as gay classics even though the tension is a subtle sub-plot often totally lost on a straight audience! Absolute treats are the celebrity comments (they will set a thousand conspiracy theories going in your head too!), better still is the input of relatively unknown behind-the-camera people, writers etc, who are at liberty to be far more honest about their views.

    There are also clips from classics like Rebecca, Calamity Jane (the dykiest show on earth if you ask me!), Ben Hur, My Beautiful Launderette, Parting Glances.......etc etc.. Any film you can think of is probably there - if not then maybe you should write a sequel!

    Did you ever think that Laurel and Hardy were very cosy with each other? Did you think Mrs Danvers was a little forward going through Rebecca's undies? Did you explode at *that* kiss in Morroco? Have you always secretly thought The Hunger was a good movie? .............Well so did someone else. Quite a lot of someone elses - and some of them were the writers!

    This is such a good film for too many reasons. I'd go as far as saying it's perfect film.

    It has no characters/plot, etc but it shows the progress of gay visibility as one of the best stories there is. The people who made those movies are the cast. It is a film

    It is informtive, funny, clever and revealing. It tells EVERYONE about their history and heritage. The general observations about film-watching apply to anyone. It's impressively detached and lets you draw your own interpretation. It's a documentary.

    You will sit there thinking "wow" when it finishs. You will wonder how you view films - and how everyone else views them. It may even make you nostalgic for the days when closetted was the only option (and endless sex-scenes were impossible and forbidden so plot and dialogoue had to make do). You will think of omissions and ponder those included but it will get you thinking. That's the important part.

    If this film doesn't make you want to go out and watch all your favourite movies plus all those featured in it then I'll be amazed!

    It may sound like it, but it's no chore to watch. It's a pleasure.

    It's inspiring. wonderful. Ultimately uplifting. And you'll need to see it again.....and again....and again! ....oh yes! And kd lang sings "Secret Love" at the end! Wow!...
    • Nic-8
    • Nov 27, 1998
    • Permalink

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    FAQ18

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 13, 1996 (Netherlands)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • United Kingdom
      • Germany
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Sony Pictures Classics
      • Telling Pictures
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sakincali Film Dolabi
    • Filming locations
      • Raleigh Studios, Hollywood, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production companies
      • Home Box Office (HBO)
      • Channel 4
      • ZDF/Arte
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,400,591
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $95,047
      • Mar 17, 1996
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,400,591
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 42 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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