Queereaders discussion

Alex wrote: "Rick wrote: "Psycho remains my favorite, but I also love Stage Fright, Rope, Rear Window, The 39 Steps, and so many more. ..."

I saw Rope for a queer film studies class and thoroughly enjoyed it. ..."

Yep, Rope is FILLED with all kinds if stuff that couldn't be made explicit. Delightfully sub-textual. ;)

Stephen wrote: "That's the one. It's based on the Leopold & Loeb murders and the talk was that they were more than just "good buddies"

As with so much of that era, any sexual content was through innuendo only. ..."

Nice list. I've seen most of them and would agree with you.

You should have added The Hitcher (Harmon, 1984). It seems also silly to call it sub-text, but so many people didn't read the obsession between Howell and Hauer that way at all. It's pretty clear the Leigh is just there as window dressing.

Stephen wrote: "That's the one. It's based on the Leopold & Loeb murders and the talk was that they were more than just "good buddies" ..."

I missed that, but will consider it next time we watch. Isn't Farley Granger interesting?

Stephen wrote: "That's the one. It's based on the Leopold & Loeb murders and the talk was that they were more than just "good buddies"

As with so much of that era, any sexual content was through innuendo only.

..."

Have you seen The Celluloid Closet? It talked about a bunch of early Hollywood films, all filled with subtext, etc. I enjoyed it quite a lot.

Alex wrote: "Have you seen The Celluloid Closet? It talked about a bunch of early Hollywood films, all filled with subtext, etc. I enjoyed it quite a lot.
..."

I thought it was great Alex, fantastically entertaining as well as informative.

Stephen wrote: "I once put together an IMDB list of more recent films that centered on "Special Friendships" I wonder how many of you all read something into their sub-text? http://www.imdb.com/list/ls009105959/
..."

Thanks for the link Stephen! Many of these I haven't seen - I'll check them out!

Right now I'm stuffing my face with Tahitian Vanilla Caramels and logging the calories into My Fitness Pal.

I was going to take a walk to Barnes & Noble during my lunch hour, but it's pouring rain.

So I'm staying in and checking what everyone is up to.

Vanilla Caramels sound good Nancy!

I'm just off to work now, definitely not exciting, but food and shelter are pretty necessary after all; so off I go.

About to go to bed, after surfing the web for a couple hours.

They were delicious, Greg. I found them by accident at Trader Joe's.

The best caramels I've ever had are Béquet. There's a gourmet cheese store in Boston that carries them.

I'm waiting for slides so I can read cases. It's an early day so I'll go home and clean. Just been called to gross specimens.

Oh, how boring, Kernos. Why not go home and read instead? Or watch Sense8?

I'm home!

Kernos wrote: "I'm waiting for slides so I can read cases. It's an early day so I'll go home and clean. Just been called to gross specimens."

It sounds like you're maybe in the medical field Kernos? Hope you and your partner have a good night at home!

It's lunchtime here in California; resting for a few minutes out in the park with a book and a bag of raspberries before I go back to work.

Alex wrote: "Rick wrote: "Psycho remains my favorite, but I also love Stage Fright, Rope, Rear Window, The 39 Steps, and so many more. ..."

I saw Rope for a queer film studies class and thoroughly enjoyed it. ..."

I just watched Rope a couple of weeks ago--the subtext practically jumps off the screen, doesn't it? :)

I took a course on Hitchcock once--unfortunately, we didn't cover Rope, probably because we were too busy examining the subtext in Strangers on a Train. I had to do a presentation on how Bruno was representative of the government panic over homosexuality in the 1950s. Or something. It was more psychology theory than film theory--lots of Freud and stuff. I don't care about Freud, I was just there to watch Hitchcock movies. :P

Oh yes, many a film student takes a Hitchcock class and discovers how much more is in them than just mystery-thriller-suspense with some of the finest camera work and direction in the history of Hollywood.

Strangers on a Train is another classic Hitchcock. As a kid I was always having fun looking for his cameos. SOAT has a great one, although one of most outrageous, from a filmmakers point of view, is in Lifeboat. How do you do a cameo on what is actually a stage set of a big rowboat and several survivors. Of Hitch, you are so clever. ;)

Even some of his "lesser" films have great moments and cinematography, aspect that can make them memorable. He was one of the finest filmmakers of all time. All this talk of Hitchcock. I'm going to have to dig out my DVDs and watch them all over again. Maybe I'll do them in production order this time. I've done them in alphabetical order once and reverse production order once. If I do, I'll keep a running diary, how does that sound?

Greg wrote: "Kernos wrote: "I'm waiting for slides so I can read cases. It's an early day so I'll go home and clean. Just been called to gross specimens."

It sounds like you're maybe in the medical field Kernos? Hope you and your partner have a good night at home! "

Yes and thank you. We are watching Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom right now.

Kernos wrote: "Yes and thank you. We are watching Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom right now."

"You call him Doctor Jones, Doll."

"Ew, I bet I get all dirty."

"Let me in! Let me in!"
"Let us out! Let us out!"

"Fortune and glory, kid. Fortune. And. Glory."

"Let's get out of here... All of us!"

Rick wrote: ""You call him Doctor Jones, Doll."

"Ew, I bet I get all dirty."

"Let me in! Let me in!"
"Let..."

LOL Rick!

Eileen wrote: "I had to do a presentation on how Bruno was representative of the government panic over homosexuality in the 1950s. Or something. It was more psychology theory than film theory--lots of Freud and stuff. I don't care about Freud, I was just there to watch Hitchcock movies. :P ..."

Sounds like a fun class Eileen!

Rick wrote: "Oh yes, many a film student takes a Hitchcock class and discovers how much more is in them than just mystery-thriller-suspense with some of the finest camera work and direction in the history of Ho..."

His films do have a lot going on - I agree completely Rick. Exceptionally gifted filmmaker!

And he did cameos the right way, where if you didn't pay attention you'd miss it, like the old DVD 'easter eggs.'

I love a lot of the new Marvel films coming out, but all the Stan Lee cameos are so front and center. I like the way Hitchcock did it - subtle and clever!

Indeed, Stan Lee is in your face. One has to really be on the lookout for Hitchcock.

For atmosphere, however it's done, there's not much better than the original Dracula and Frankenstein films, IMO and some of their spin offs.

Eileen wrote: "I took a course on Hitchcock once--unfortunately, we didn't cover Rope, probably because we were too busy examining the subtext in Strangers on a Train. ..."

Talking about Hitchcock, did anyone see the film "HItchcock" starring Helen Mirren and Anthony Hopkins? I saw that a few years ago and thought it provided an interesting glimpse into Hitchcock's life.

Kernos wrote: "Indeed, Stan Lee is in your face. One has to really be on the lookout for Hitchcock.

For atmosphere, however it's done, there's not much better than the original Dracula and Frankenstein films, I..."

Yeah, I'm so over Stan Lee's cameos. Yeah, great the guy who takes so much more credit for creating all those characters than he really deserves is on the screen. Where's the real deal? Where's the late Jack Kirby? Yeah, he's dead. Ok, ok, don't get me started on the whole Stan and Jack thing... Burns me up.

I love the old universal monster movies. Great films. Some more so than others, but I grew up with those on late night friday/saturday movies. Tarzan and Jungle Theater on Saturday afternoons. Monster movies late night on Friday and Saturdays. Weird foreign movies on sunday mornings. And weeknights after the late news there was Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers serials. All only a little black and white TV in my bedroom. Yep, brings back the memories. Now there's 200 channels of advertisements. Yuck.

Alex wrote: "Talking about Hitchcock..."

I wanted to see it but missed it in the theater and haven't rented it yet.

Alex wrote: "Eileen wrote: "I took a course on Hitchcock once--unfortunately, we didn't cover Rope, probably because we were too busy examining the subtext in Strangers on a Train. ..."

Talking about Hitchcock..."

I haven't seen it yet--I'll probably end up putting it in the Netflix queue. :) I did read the Spoto biography for that class though. Assuming it's accurate, Hitchcock was a very, um, unique person. Wouldn't want to meet him in real life, but what fantastic films he made!

Eileen wrote: "I haven't seen it yet--I'll probably end up putting it in the Netflix queue. :) I did read the Spoto biography for that class though. Assuming it's accurate, Hitchcock was a very, um, unique person. Wouldn't want to meet him in real life, but what fantastic films he made!"

I'll have to read that. I'd still would have liked to meet him. He's one of those people I'd love to have meet no matter how odd, or weird, or unique they are/were. ;)

Back to the vet with Pip this morning - more meds and a checkup on progress next week. Looks like either it's an abscess or tumor. Really hoping its an abscess!

At least with the meds he seems fairly comfortable. Ron is staying home with him, and I'm off to work.

Rick wrote: "Eileen wrote: "I haven't seen it yet--I'll probably end up putting it in the Netflix queue. :) I did read the Spoto biography for that class though. Assuming it's accurate, Hitchcock was a very, um..."

I did hear he gave Montgomery Clift a hard time while filming I Confess. He thought Clift was "too neurotic" apparently. Oh well, fantastic films! And I agree Rick, I might not want to have dealt with him on a regular basis, but I'd definitely have liked to sit down to coffee with him once.

One writer I'd have loved to sit down to tea with is John Ruskin, such an oddball but somehow a loveable oddball, even if a few of his ideas were a bit cooky. Not gay as far as I know, but the conversation certainly wouldn't have been boring.

Another writer I'd have loved to meet is E.M. Forster. I'm not sure exactly why, but I think he'd have been a really good guy.

Ok, yes, very off topic now :)

Greg wrote: "Back to the vet with Pip this morning - more meds and a checkup on progress next week. Looks like either it's an abscess or tumor. Really hoping its an abscess!

At least with the meds he seems fa..."

Oh, what a beauty! Give him my wishes of support. My last cat was a ginger as well.

I would love to have met E.M. Forster as well. AlsoH.G. Wells, Lester Dent, Paul Ernst, Fredric Brown, James Baldwin, Jack Kirby, Anne McCaffrey - oh, man the list goes on and on.

Lots of hugs and kisses for Pip!

{sneezes head off}

I'm leaving work in a few and on my way to the chiropractor.

Phillip wrote: "Pip is so handsome . . . and I just love the way he carries it off with a touch of cool and just a bit of imp! Speedy recovery, furry one!"

I think it's a ginger thing. 'Touch of cool, bit of imp.' Gotta be a ginger thing. ;)

Thanks Rick, Phillip, Nancy! :)

Greg wrote: "Back to the vet with Pip this morning - more meds and a checkup on progress next week. Looks like either it's an abscess or tumor. Really hoping its an abscess!

At least with the meds he seems fa..."

Very handsome and rather dignified.

Greg wrote: "Another writer I'd have loved to meet is E.M. Forster. I'm not sure exactly why, but I think he'd have been a really good guy...."

I read a biography about him once; poor guy sounded rather repressed: he didn't lose his virginity until 37, iirc. The biography linked his homosexuality with his novel writing, mainly claiming that he stopped writing fiction because he couldn't write gay fiction, with stories about his authentic life.

Thanks Alex and everyone else - I do love my ginger! :)

But just like you Phillip, I'm a fan of most all cats ... and dogs too.

Alex wrote: "I read a biography about him once; poor guy sounded ..."

I got that impression too Alex, not too surprising given his era I guess, but in the books I read, he also came across as intelligent and kind. Who knows for sure what he was really like, but I loved the impression I got.

Rick wrote: "I would love to have met E.M. Forster as well. Also H.G. Wells, Lester Dent, Paul Ernst, Fredric Brown, James Baldwin, Jack Kirby, Anne McCaffrey - oh, man the list goes on and on. ..."

I'm not too familiar with Dent's or Brown's work, but the rest I can enthusiastically endorse!

Greg wrote: " I'm not too familiar with Dent's or Brown's work, but the rest I can enthusiastically endorse! ......"

I injured my left hand this evening. Too painful to make two handed thumb typings. ;) So may be offline for a few days. Or posts will brief. ;)

Phillip wrote: "@Alex: We must have read the same bio! The sexual dynamic between the literati crowd and the working class a la Maurice in the gay community always has fascinated me. Kind of like a variation of ..."

I made one of my friends during college watch Maurice with me because I consider it a gay classic, and he was unhappy that Maurice didn't end up with someone who's his intellectual equal, like Clive (well, intellectual better). I was like, I'd rather choose sex, too, given the chance.

Alex wrote: "I made one of my friends during college watch Maurice with me because I consider it a gay classic, and he was unhappy that Maurice didn't end up with someone who's his intellectual equal, like Clive (well, intellectual better). ..."

Seriously? When I first saw the film I was SO happy Maurice and Alec had found each. That they had looked beyond superficialities and both, independently, decided to sacrifice something just on the CHANCE that the other felt the same. I'm crying just thinking about.
Looks like I know what I'm putting in the bluray tonight. ;)

Here is our ginger tabbie tom, Nilla. I rescued him as a feral skinny little kitten. I think I'm his mom.



I hope Pip does well.

Rick wrote: "Seriously? When I first saw the film I was SO happy Maurice and Alec had found each. That they had looked beyond superficialities and both, independently, decided to sacrifice something just on the CHANCE that the other felt the same. ..."

I felt exactly the same way Rick, that they found something more 'real' than surface differences!

And I don't know, slight tangent, but I think a lot of times what people do in life and where they end up has much less to do with intellectual ability anyway and more to do with random life circumstances. A close friend had to take a special remedial English class toward the end of college because he flunked the standardized essay test required for graduation. But he was one of the smartest people I've ever known, one of the wisest too. Also I've done some tutoring of homeless kids through the School On Wheels program at different shelters, and sometimes those kids are awfully sharp - they just are ages behind because they haven't had steady school most of their lives.

Education does make a difference in who a person is, of course, but that's a bit different than intelligence.

Then again, from what I've read, most all of the Bloomsbury set had both in spades!

Hope your arm gets better soon Rick!

Rick wrote: "I injured my left hand this evening. Too painful to make two handed thumb typings. ;) So may be offline for a few days. Or posts will brief. ;)..."

Get better soon, Rick!

Kernos wrote: "Here is our ginger tabbie tom, Nilla. I rescued him as a feral skinny little kitten. I think I'm his mom.

I hope Pip does well."

Aww, I love it Kernos - Nilla now looks well fed and happy!

Phillip wrote: "It seemed that a lot of gay writers had a fondness not only for the working class but the working set! "

That's what I noticed when I was reading Christopher Isherwood's memoir, Christopher and His Kind, too. Also saw the BBC TV movie, but that one kept Isherwood and Auden platonic friends when in the memoir, they were f*ck buddies...

Alex wrote: "That's what I noticed when I was reading Christopher Isherwood's memoir, Christopher and His Kind, too. Also saw the BBC TV movie, but that one kept Isherwood and Auden platonic friends when in the memoir, they were f*ck buddies....."

How was that memoir Alex? Do you recall if Stephen Spender figured in there anywhere?

Since you guys both posted pictures, I thought I'd share a pic of my cat, too. He isn't a ginger, but a tuxedo cat named Phantom...

So cute Alex! He looks fluffy - is he a cuddler?