This has got to be the earliest non-homophobic and non-offensive gay movie (by my standards anyway). 1976! It's based on a play by Terrence McNally - whom I think is gay - and he also wrote its screenplay. It also features most of its original Broadway leads, including, notably, F. Murray Abraham and Rita Moreno.
The Ritz is a screwball comedy about a clueless man trying to elude his murderous brother-in-law by hiding out in a bathhouse, which, unbeknownst to him, is very much a gay hangout where men not only have sex with each other but also feature performances by singers and talent shows.
Handled by a tactless director or screenwriter, this movie could've been offensive on so many levels, and I, being easily offended enough to be a GLAAD watchdog, was very happily surprised to fully enjoy the movie. Sure there were the stereotypical portrayal of gay men as nellies, but they were part of a variety that also included muscle hunks, lean twinks, leather daddies, and chubby chasers.
The actors have a lot of fun with their roles. The clueless straightys include the chubby Jack Weston, who, as you might guess, gets chubby chased, and a young and sexy Treat Williams as the detective trailing Weston. Well sexy when he kept his mouth shut anyway. You'll find out what I mean...
Gay bathhouses used to feature female singers and Bette Midler got her start in them, which is why she's such a gay icon. Rita Moreno is this bathhouse's diva, and she gives a lively performance that treads the ideal line between portraying and caricaturing a spitfire Latina.
But the eye-pop award goes to F. Murray Abraham, whose most famous role is Antonio Salieri in Amadeus. Yes, Salieri unabashedly plays a flouncy flamer in this movie! Much credit goes to him for tackling the role with gusto yet not going over the top with flailing arms and lisping and all the other stereotypes.
The Ritz is a screwball comedy about a clueless man trying to elude his murderous brother-in-law by hiding out in a bathhouse, which, unbeknownst to him, is very much a gay hangout where men not only have sex with each other but also feature performances by singers and talent shows.
Handled by a tactless director or screenwriter, this movie could've been offensive on so many levels, and I, being easily offended enough to be a GLAAD watchdog, was very happily surprised to fully enjoy the movie. Sure there were the stereotypical portrayal of gay men as nellies, but they were part of a variety that also included muscle hunks, lean twinks, leather daddies, and chubby chasers.
The actors have a lot of fun with their roles. The clueless straightys include the chubby Jack Weston, who, as you might guess, gets chubby chased, and a young and sexy Treat Williams as the detective trailing Weston. Well sexy when he kept his mouth shut anyway. You'll find out what I mean...
Gay bathhouses used to feature female singers and Bette Midler got her start in them, which is why she's such a gay icon. Rita Moreno is this bathhouse's diva, and she gives a lively performance that treads the ideal line between portraying and caricaturing a spitfire Latina.
But the eye-pop award goes to F. Murray Abraham, whose most famous role is Antonio Salieri in Amadeus. Yes, Salieri unabashedly plays a flouncy flamer in this movie! Much credit goes to him for tackling the role with gusto yet not going over the top with flailing arms and lisping and all the other stereotypes.