Revered and reviled for its characterization of gay men and gay life in the 1960's

No other Hollywood film has had the enduring impact — rightly and wrongly — than THE BOYS IN THE BAND. This scathing but ultimately sympathetic group portrait of a gay birthday party that virtually self-destructs before the terrified eyes of mainstream audiences was the first Hollywood feature to take a close-up look at queer culture.

In spite of a plethora of topical and dated 60's references the film is brilliantly acted and has an emotional clarity and power that hasn't dimmed over the years. What makes The Boys in the Band so enjoyable today is Mart Crowley's superbly dishy dialogue, which in sheer volume and vitriol preempts all its predecessors, gay and straight.

Words are both the weapons and the armor in their endless skirmishes, and many of these phrases have found a permanent place in the culture. Surely not a day goes by without some queen, somewhere, quoting Emory's "Who do you have to fuck to get a drink around here?" And even straight audiences no doubt filed away for later use comments like Michael's indisputable "One thing you can say for masturbation; you certainly don't have to look your best."

See it here in all its bitchy, big screen glory.

Introduced by Ames Hall, author of the script for the Heartland Men's Chorus upcoming concert: "The Pink Carpet: Gays, Lesbians and Hollywood"

Co-Host: To be Announced

118 minutes / Not Rated