31 Comments
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sixes's avatar

🌈🍰

VKB's avatar

Oh, the quilts! And the portrait with him and his dog -- he strives, he survives. I have become an elder a few steps behind him. I cherish Harvey Fierstein. Does anyone else remember that way back in the late 70's murmurs about Paul Newman making/starring in the "The Front Runner" (post Rachel, Rachel -- see it if only for Estelle Parsons,, first :lesbian role Oscar nomination)?? I think he said it in an interview...

Clint Collide's avatar

Victor…I thought you might enjoy the quilts if you hadn’t already seen then. As for “The Front Runner,” I saw mention in the comments about Paul Newman but not recall that era of entertainment headlines. I started paying attention a few years later. Love me some celeb gossip! :-p

Doug Thompson's avatar

Cheers Michael

Dr Ray Lightbown's avatar

I saw Sir Antony Sher as Arnold in the London production in 1985 and the film with Harvey three years later. I wept at both.

I wanted Richard Thomas to star in "The Front Runner" but it never became a film.

Mother Nature's Son's avatar

I was always hoping for the Paul Newman/ Jan Michael Vincent pairing that was so rumoured by the gay mags of the time. Wow I'm getting old😆

Dr Ray Lightbown's avatar

Not old - vintage, premier cru.

I didn't have a strong preference for actors. I just wanted it on screen. I didn't expect it to be shot. I settled for "Sunday Bloody Sunday". The Peter Finch/Murray Head kiss was very shocking for many audiences at the time.

Mother Nature's Son's avatar

Thanks for your article, I love the movie and Anne Bancroft should have been nominated for the Oscar. My other torch as a young out gay was " The Front Runner". Still wish they had made the movie. A good read.

Clint Collide's avatar

Thanks for the recommendation. I’ve heard of it, but haven’t read it. Cheers!

Doug Thompson's avatar

Hi MNS replying to your "The Front Runner" comment. That book had a profound effect on me. I am not a reader as my attention span is limited but I came across this book as a much younger me. It engaged me in time, effort and understanding till BANG the ending chapters/pages. I won't spoil the plot for anyone who has not read it yet. It left me physically drained and to this day I have not read another book. Of course in the period it was written the ending couldn't have been different, could it? Cheers DougT🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇬🇧

Mother Nature's Son's avatar

Thanks Doug😆 Totally spaced the ending til you mentioned it. Funny how times have come full circle, especially here in the states.😳

Doug Thompson's avatar

Too true MNS now 🏳‍🌈 athletes/sports 'star's no longer need to hide if they don't want to. Cheers

Dr Ray Lightbown's avatar

I also hoped that they would film "The Front Runner".

Doug Thompson's avatar

Hi Ray from a much cooler UK, eplying to your "The Front Runner" comment. That book had a profound effect on me. I am not a reader as my attention span is limited but I came across this book as a much younger me. It engaged me in time, effort and understanding till BANG the ending chapters/pages. I won't spoil the plot for anyone who has not read it yet. It left me physically drained and to this day I have not read another book. Of course in the period it was written the ending couldn't have been different, could it? Cheers DougT🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🇬🇧

Dr Ray Lightbown's avatar

Replied above. xx

Doug Thompson's avatar

Cheers Ray, my phone comments must have had hiccups as it repeated my comments 😯

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Jun 7
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Dr Ray Lightbown's avatar

I read many books with gay themes from 1963 onwards. Many were not obviously or so clearly gay but were "coded". I have always been an avid reader, often reading four or five books each week from that age of 16 years onwards. Most affected me in some way or other but "Torch Song Trilogy" and "The Front Runner" do stand out for me.

Michael Horvich's avatar

Saw "Torch Song Trilogy" on Broadway. Moved to tears. Freaked at how open to truth the show was at a time when that was something new. And, oh his VOICE! Thanks for sharing, Fondly, Michael

Clint Collide's avatar

YOU SAW THE ORIGINAL BROADWAY PRODUCTION?! Michael, you are my hero. I wish we could time travel back there. I’ve only had the pleasure of seeing the recent(ish) revival on video. The material held up like a champ! Cheers, my dears….

Michael Horvich's avatar

Clint, The funny thing that I most remember about being in the audience was one of embarassment during Act which takes place in the back room of a bar with people s**king and f**king. (Did I need those **?) The entire show was so ahead of its time and only eventually was I able to catch up. Continue to mend. Fondly, Michael

Clint Collide's avatar

Oh, I bet “The International Stud” was a trip to behold in person. Probably like my reaction when “Looking” premiered on HBO. I initially thought it was telling too many of our secrets. I was wrong…what a work of art!

Michael Horvich's avatar

The trip of all trips while living in NYC was to the ANVIL's basement, 6 slings, no waiting, FF galore! Was with my love at the time of 13 years. Both were disgusted at the goings on, shared as such verbally, but a different story was told on fondeling, extremely aroused on both of our parts. Never got into that scene but remains part of the visual fantasy. As EVITA would have asked: "Have I said too much?" Fondly, Michael

Clint Collide's avatar

Never, darling. I can handle the heat and the fire. I’ve personally avoided the sex clubs. I think I might like them…too much. And do try, on occasion, to be both a lady and a gent. :-p

Clarke Fountain's avatar

I'm a lot older by some reckonings: for me it was the books of Mary Renault, and "The Long Distance Runner." I'm so glad you had a torch to follow!

Clint Collide's avatar

Thanks for sharing, Clarke. I’m not familiar with Mr. Renault’s work, but I do know a few folks who claim “The Long Distance Runner” as their own torch. Cheers, my dears!

Doug Thompson's avatar

👍👍 a great comment Brian. Cheers DougT🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

Clint Collide's avatar

Thanks, Dear Doug! Cheers to you, my dears. 🌈✌️

Michael Captain's avatar

I can’t guess how many times I have watched Torch Song Trilogy.

Harvey is a hero to me. Never forget the bunny slippers.

Clint Collide's avatar

How could I ever forget the bunny slippers? I wish I had been old enough to see it on Broadway. When the film came out, I was still a bit young to go by myself. But my mom did rent it for me when it came out on VHS. She knew I liked Matthew Broderick and she loved Anne Bancroft. I won’t lie…I love watching her face when she realized what the movie was about. lol

Michael Captain's avatar
Clint Collide's avatar

So…FESTIVE! And would also help clean the house. :-p