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American Swing

  • 20082008
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 21m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
681
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
American Swing (2008)
  • Documentary
Chronicles the rise and fall of 1970s New York City nightclub Plato's Retreat.Chronicles the rise and fall of 1970s New York City nightclub Plato's Retreat.Chronicles the rise and fall of 1970s New York City nightclub Plato's Retreat.
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
681
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Jon Hart
    • Mathew Kaufman
  • Writer
    • Jon Hart(based on an article by)
  • Stars
    • Bryce Britton
    • Irwin Corey
    • William Davidson
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Jon Hart
    • Mathew Kaufman
  • Writer
    • Jon Hart(based on an article by)
  • Stars
    • Bryce Britton
    • Irwin Corey
    • William Davidson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 7User reviews
    • 26Critic reviews
    • 59Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    American Swing (2008)
    American Swing (2008)
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    Top cast

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    Bryce Britton
    • Selfas Self
    Irwin Corey
    Irwin Corey
    • Selfas Self
    William Davidson
    • Selfas Self
    Dan Dorfman
    • Selfas Self
    Donna Ferrato
    • Selfas Self
    Joe Franklin
    • Selfas Self
    Jamie Gillis
    Jamie Gillis
    • Selfas Self
    Al Goldstein
    Al Goldstein
    • Selfas Self
    Dian Hanson
    Dian Hanson
    • Selfas Self
    Buck Henry
    Buck Henry
    • Selfas Self
    Ron Jeremy
    Ron Jeremy
    • Selfas Self
    Ed Koch
    Ed Koch
    • Selfas Self
    Steve Kraus
    • Selfas Self
    Larry Levenson
    • Selfas Self
    • (archive footage)
    Fred J. Lincoln
    Fred J. Lincoln
    • Selfas Self
    • (as Fred Lincoln)
    Jersey Matuschka
    • Selfas Self
    Robert L. McGinley
    • Selfas Self
    • (as Dr. Robert McGinley)
    Howard Smith
    Howard Smith
    • Selfas Self
    • Directors
      • Jon Hart
      • Mathew Kaufman
    • Writer
      • Jon Hart(based on an article by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    The parallel stories of Plato's Retreat, a Manhattan sex club for straight couples that operated from 1977 until the mid 1980s, and of Larry Levenson, the club's impresario. In present-day interviews, Larry's family talks about him, while writers, reporters, and clients talk about the club. Mixed with these interviews are still photographs and archival footage of the club, Larry's appearances on talk shows, and newspaper articles. By the late 70s, the club was in full swing, with talk of Plato's Retreats in other cities. By the end of the decade, tax problems had Larry in trouble with the IRS and changing mores gave the club a different vibe. Then AIDS became an epidemic. —<jhailey@hotmail.com>
    • heterosexual kiss
    • timeframe 1970s
    • timeframe 1980s
    • interview
    • rise and fall
    • 50 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The rise and fall of 1970s New York City nightclub Plato's Retreat
    • Genre
      • Documentary
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Connections
      Features The David Susskind Show (1958)
    • Soundtracks
      You Make Me Feel (Mighty Reel)
      Performed by Sylvester

      Written by James Wirrick / Sylvester (as Sylvester James)

      Published by Kohaw Music (ASCAP) o/b/o Wirrick Music & Sequins at Noon Music

      Courtesy of Concord Music Group, Inc.

    User reviews7

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Take a cinematic turn on this Swing ride!
    "American Swing" is not about Joe DiMaggio, Reggie Jackson, or even Derek Jeter. However, it is about another New York basher who had one hell of a swing, but no baseballs needed here. He would be Larry Levenson, the impresario of the famed New York heterosexual Swingers club "Plato's Retreat". "American Swing" orgies its way dickimentary, I mean documentary style, in its telling of Levenson's New York sexual staple which ran from 1979-1985 and also on his obsession on being the "King of Swing". Directors Jon Hart & Matthew Kaufman do a credible job in presenting the zaniness of the Plato period by interviewing many Plato players including: managers, patrons, employees, and even celebrities that would take a swing at Plato from time to time. Their Plato philosophies & storytelling is the rouser of "American Swing"! On the negative swing of things, the doc also presents the downfall of Levenson and "Plato's Retreat". "Plato's Retreat" will never be a historic landmark but it laid (had to use "laid" sooner or later) the foundation of the Swingers Heterosexual Sex Club Enterprise which, whether you like it or not, have been erecting from year to year in our country and are here to stay. It might not be for everyone in the household, but I say "take a swing" at the entertaining documentary "American Swing". **** Good
    helpful•5
    6
    • meeza
    • Jan 18, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 17, 2009 (Japan)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site (Japan)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Американские свингеры
    • Filming locations
      • Plato's Retreat - 509 West 34th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • HDNet Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $30,156
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $10,174
      • Mar 29, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $30,156
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 21 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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