From Drewey Wayne Gunn (is that a stage name or what?) over at Lambda Literary comes a great best of list on an obscure and fascinating topic, Gay Crime Films. From the site,
…including only films with some kind of a gay investigator. In addition to these, I could also consider, though I decided not to, any number of television and video serials…
Then there are crime films in which gays have roles other than as investigators, but I decided to abide by the parameters I established for my book and eliminated all films in which homosexuals serve only as weak, hapless victims or as murderous criminals.
Two favorites are Victim (1961) a must-see British entry that paved the way for the rest on the list. Directed by Basil Dearden and starring Dirk Bogarde, Victim is the kind of film that shocks you being light-years ahead of its time. Todd Haynes’ Velvet Goldmine is the other known gem from Gunn. Over the years I’ve grown to adore this film as I have loved most of Haynes’ projects. Christian Bale is the newspaper reporting sleuth following the careers of glam rock stars Ewan MacGregor and Jonathan Rhys Meyer. Toni Colette also appears as the only female character among all these bisexual and gay men. If you’ve ever wondered about Bowie and Jagger, or Bowie and Marc Bolan, check out Velvet Goldmine.
I’ve seen several of the other’s listed such as Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, 9 Dead Gay Guys, and Regular Guys none of which are very memorable to me. I have to revisit The 4th Man at some point in the near future. Gunn’s final entry is The Walker starring Woody Harrelson with one of my favorite German actors, Moritz Bleibtreu playing his lover. I’ve heard nothing about this film over the years, so I’m now throwing it into my must-see list on Netflix.
Very nice research. Read the entire article here.
(hat tip to Uncle Barb)
January 18, 2013 at 10:19 pm |
I so love lists, partly because I get to add my 2 cents. Yes to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, it was so much fun and Val Kilmer was super wonderful as Gay Perry. I would include the Strachey mysteries. I would also add Hate Crime and Strange Fruit. There is only one Lesbian crime film I would put on the list, Bound. Thanks be to the goddess for that delicious film. I can’t stand Heavenly Creatures. Oh yes, the Australian film Shame (not the Amanda Donoghue version). Best lesbian detective goes to Judy Davis in Gaudi Afternoon. I will contradict myself in future posts, but this is my immediate response to the Gay Crime films list.
January 18, 2013 at 11:50 pm |
I agree with you on Hate Crime and Bound. I honestly don’t remember much about Kiss Kiss or Strange Fruit. And of course I own Gaudi Afternoon. BRILLIANT! I like the Strachey Mysteries as well. Great throwback to the serials days. Wish they’d make a few more. I’m drawing a blank right now trying to think of others. Hmmmm.
January 26, 2013 at 10:56 pm |
I love watching gay crime films. The Walker is prob my fav.
January 27, 2013 at 11:49 am |
Claudio – I’m going to check that out very soon! Maybe tonight.
Thanks,
Philip