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Torch Song Trilogy

  • 1988
  • R
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
8K
YOUR RATING
Matthew Broderick, Anne Bancroft, Harvey Fierstein, and Brian Kerwin in Torch Song Trilogy (1988)
Open-ended Trailer from New Line Cinema
Play trailer2:20
1 Video
24 Photos
ComedyDramaRomance

Arnold is a gay man working as drag queen in 1971 NYC. He meets a handsome bisexual man.Arnold is a gay man working as drag queen in 1971 NYC. He meets a handsome bisexual man.Arnold is a gay man working as drag queen in 1971 NYC. He meets a handsome bisexual man.

  • Director
    • Paul Bogart
  • Writer
    • Harvey Fierstein
  • Stars
    • Anne Bancroft
    • Matthew Broderick
    • Harvey Fierstein
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Paul Bogart
    • Writer
      • Harvey Fierstein
    • Stars
      • Anne Bancroft
      • Matthew Broderick
      • Harvey Fierstein
    • 72User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 3 nominations

    Videos1

    Torch Song Trilogy
    Trailer 2:20
    Torch Song Trilogy

    Photos24

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    + 17
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    Top cast40

    Edit
    Anne Bancroft
    Anne Bancroft
    • Ma
    Matthew Broderick
    Matthew Broderick
    • Alan
    Harvey Fierstein
    Harvey Fierstein
    • Arnold
    Brian Kerwin
    Brian Kerwin
    • Ed
    Karen Young
    Karen Young
    • Laurel
    Eddie Castrodad
    • David
    Ken Page
    Ken Page
    • Murray
    Charles Pierce
    Charles Pierce
    • Bertha Venation
    Axel Lott
    • Marina Del Rey
    • (as Axel Vera)
    Benji Schulman
    • Young Arnold
    Nick Montgomery
    • Chorus Boy
    Robert Neary
    Robert Neary
    • Chorus Boy
    Kim Clark
    • Female Bar Patron
    Stephanie Penn
    • Female Bar Patron
    Geoffrey Harding
    • Man with Lighter
    Michael Bond
    • Bar Patron
    Michael Warga
    • Bartender
    Phil Sky
    • Man in Back Room
    • Director
      • Paul Bogart
    • Writer
      • Harvey Fierstein
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Estelle Getty originated the role of Ma Beckoff on Broadway. She was unavailable filming The Golden Girls (1985) as Sophia, Dorothy's mother, to reprise the part for the movie so Anne Bancroft was cast instead.
    • Goofs
      Arnold hires a car service to take him and Ma to the cemetery, and the car is seen waiting for them. But when Ma storms off and leaves in the car, it's not the same driver that brought them to the cemetery.
    • Quotes

      Arnold: It's easier to love someone who's dead. They make so few mistakes.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Working Girl/I'm Gonna Git You Sucka/Rain Man/Torch Song Trilogy/Haunted Summer (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Dames
      Music by Harry Warren
      Lyrics by Al Dubin
      Performed by Harvey Fierstein (uncredited), Ken Page (uncredited), Charles Pierce (uncredited), Axel Lott (uncredited), Nick Montgomery (uncredited), Robert Neary (uncredited), and Harriet C. Leider (uncredited)
      © 1934 (renewed) Warner Bros. Inc. (ASCAP)
      [Performed in the drag show during the opening credits; reprise in the first 1973 scene]

    User reviews72

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    10/10

    *THE* quintessential gay film

    This film is, undoubtedly, *the* quintessential gay film.

    If you even claim to know gay people you should see this film. I used to help run a youth group for under 25s dealing with their sexuality and we screened this film four times in two years.

    I have seen this film more times than almost any other film and it still never fails to move me. Take your Kleenex, this'll make you cry! :o)

    WATCH IT -- IT'S EXCELLENT!
    • owenblacker
    • Jan 28, 1999
    • Permalink

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    FAQ20

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 14, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Hebrew
      • French
      • American Sign Language
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Das Kuckucksei
    • Filming locations
      • Denville, New Jersey, USA
    • Production companies
      • New Line Cinema
      • Howard Gottfried/Ronald K. Fierstein Production
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $4,865,997
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $70,022
      • Dec 18, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $4,870,903
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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    Matthew Broderick, Anne Bancroft, Harvey Fierstein, and Brian Kerwin in Torch Song Trilogy (1988)
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