"Making the Boys" review

Last night I had the pleasure to view the new documentary Making the Boys.
For any theatre and film historian who doesn't know anything about the iconic The Boys in the Band, go see this documentary and educate yourself. As the film expressed, many young gay people today do not know of this play/film.

The Boys in the Band is the mecca of gay themed films. The one that started it all with the brash boldness, that holds up today due to the crisp, witty dialogue, and the in-your-face direction by William Friedkin (The Exorcist, and ironically the gay themed S&M thriller Cruising starring Al Pacino). Before The Boys in the Band, homosexuals were for the most part invisible in film. This play and film broke down the barriers and movies like The Birdcage, or TV's Will and Grace would not exist today if not for this film. We take so much for granted on gay role models we see in television and film today.

The story centers on eight gay men (and one unexpected guest who's sexual orientation is never confirmed) all attending a birthday party, then the drinking starts the bitchy games begin. The theme is similar to Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf. The story heightens into an angry explosion of rage and hate by the host Michael who is obviously an alcoholic and a self hating homosexual (as many viewed themselves before gay liberation). In, 1968 when the play premiered (and when the film opened 2 years later) homosexuality was still considered a mental illness (until declassified as a mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association in 1973).

The documentary delves into the back story of the production from the early beginnings from workshop to off-Broadway which became a mainstream smash. Celebrities would be clamoring for tickets to see this little production. Writer Mart Crowley discusses his friendship with Natalie Wood and how he started in show business and his inspiration on writing the play. Other people interviewed for the film is director of the film version William Friedkin, cast members Peter White and Laurence Luckinbill. Unfortunately the 1980's and 90's was cruel to the future of many involved in the film. Most of the cast members and the original director Robert Moore had succumbed to AIDS. It's very sobering and this makes The Boys in the Band that more tragic when viewing it.

Filmmaker Crayton Robey did an amazing job with the challenging task of putting together hard to find vintage footage of the theatre production, cast interviews, production stills and finding as many people who could be interviewed for this documentary. Original cast member Reuben Greene has not been able to be found. He is alive, but unfortunately could not be reached for the documentary.

I was so excited to get to chat with writer Mart Crowley after the show. He and director Crayton Robey did a Q&A session after the screening.  Both of them have so much love for the production. It was a wonderful experience meeting both of them. As a bonus, I got to meet actor/director Charles Busch (Die Mommie Die) who was in the audience. I think all of them got a kick out of my enthusiasm.

Making the Boys is currently playing at the Quad Cinema in Chelsea.
www.quadcinema.com


Vince the Movie Guy