Torch Song Trilogy (1988)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Paul Bogart

Writers (WGA):

Harvey Fierstein (play)
Harvey Fierstein (screenplay)

Release Date:

14 December 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

It takes a lot of guts and a helluva sense of humor to live life in Arnold's shoes.

Plot:

Tony Award-winning actor and playwright Harvey Fierstein re-creates his role as the unsinkable Arnold...

Plot Keywords:

Drag Queen | Homosexual | Male Prostitution | Autobiographical | Transvestism

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Anne Bancroft	...	Ma Beckoff
Matthew Broderick	...	Alan Simon
Harvey Fierstein	...	Arnold Beckoff
Brian Kerwin	...	Ed Reese
Karen Young	...	Laurel
Eddie Castrodad	...	David
Ken Page	...	Murray
Charles Pierce	...	Bertha Venation
Axel Vera	...	Marina Del Rey
Benji Schulman	...	Young Arnold Beckoff
Nick Montgomery	...	Chorus Boy #1
Robert Neary	...	Chorus Boy #2
Kim Clark	...	Female Bar Patron #1
Stephanie Penn	...	Female Bar Patron #2
Geoffrey Harding	...	Man with Lighter

Runtime:

120 min | Brazil:114 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Hebrew

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Finland:K-14 (1989) | Finland:K-16 (1992) | Iceland:L | Canada:14A | Canada:G (Quebec) | Sweden:11 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:16

Filming Locations:

Denville, New Jersey, USA

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

The idea for the Stud Bar came from an actual bar in New York that was known for its infamous "back room" called The International Bar. Patrons though, when speaking of the bar, would insert the word "stud" after the word "international" and the name stuck after many years.

Quotes:

Ed: I can't believe you're STILL mad.
Arnold: I ain't STILL mad... this here is BRAND NEW!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: Hercules Against the Moon Men (#5.10)" (1992)

Soundtrack:

What's New?

I knew there was a reason I bought this title...

I watched this movie (about 9 years ago -- in secret no less, while my parents were away) as a budding young gay man. I didn't quite catch much of the humor then, but something has compelled me to pick the title off the shelf once more. This is a truly outstanding movie; the characters are wonderful -- they will make you shed a tear or two or otherwise double over in laughter. I won't bore you with the plot synopsis or *my* take on it, just see it. It's truly one terrific film.

Sidebar: It just hit me this time around that I am the reincarnation of Arnold Beckoff...and I'm not even Jewish! Oi! =)