This surprisingly strong and absorbing made-for-TV drama tackles the pretty sordid subject of male prostitution with admirable taste and restraint. Sensitive aspiring artist Alexander Duncan (an excellent and convincing performance by Leigh McCloskey) winds up adrift, desperate and penniless in Los Angeles after he's thrown out of the house by his cranky, disapproving, overbearing farmer father (a sturdy cameo by Lonny Chapman). Alex befriends slick, fast-talking male hustler Buddy (a delightfully dynamic Asher Brauner) and becomes a male prostitute. He gets arrested, but a sympathetic shrink (nicely played by Earl Holliman) has the charges dropped. Alex winds up living with friendly closeted homosexual pro football player Charles Selby (well portrayed by Alan Feinstein), but both of them know that their relationship together isn't going to last forever. Capably directed by John Erman, with a thoughtful script by Dalene Young and Walter Dallanbach, sunny cinematography by Gayne Rescher, a funky score by Fred Karlin, a touching love story between Alex and Dawn, and bang-up supporting turns by Eve Plumb (Jan on "The Brady Bunch") as Alex's loyal and loving reformed ex-hooker girlfriend Dawn, Jean Hagen as Alex's drunken, rundown land lady, Juliet Mills as a wealthy sophisticated lady customer Alex spends the night with, Jonathan Banks as a troubled gay man, Frances Faye as herself (she performs on stage at a groovy swingin' gay party), and P.J. Soles as a giggly football groupie, this movie overall rates as a solid, compelling and ultimately quite moving little drama.
Review of Alexander: The Other Side of Dawn
Alexander: The Other Side of Dawn
(1977 TV Movie)
A solid and touching 70's made-for-TV drama
26 November 2006
Warning: Spoilers