Straight Guy, I’ve been thinking a lot about your recent post on the impact of movies during our formative years. I’m a little squeamish about admitting how long ago my formative years were, but here goes.
In 1979 I was bowled over by Breaking Away. First, the characters were my age; we were all preparing to go to college together. Second, it was all about being in between: in between high school and college, townie or college kid, your parents’ comfort zone or your own. It really hit home for me. Breaking Away was probably the first movie I saw that was about feeling different. There’s no gay/straight angle about the film, but it’s about being comfortable in your own skin. Put it on your NetFlix list.
My early adolescent movie habits forecast the trouble to come. I’d come home from school, watch the Merv Griffin show, then switch to the classic movies channel (I probably had to twist the TV’s rabbit ears to get enough reception). There they were -- the fabulous screwball comedies of the 1930s and 1940s, afternoon after afternoon. The Philadelphia Story, His Girl Friday, the list g
oes on. I fell head over heels for those women –Katherine Hepburn, Rosalind Russell, and all the others. They were smart, sassy, witty, fearless. They weren’t afraid of boundaries. I don’t remember the male leads; I think they were just a bunch of lovable dopes.
The movie from my early adolescence that whipped me into a frenzy was The Three Musketeers. I was 12, it starred Michael York, and I was smitten. It was lust, pure and simple. That’s when I knew. Michael York was my first celebrity crush. After Lassie, that is.
By the way, SG, who was your first celebrity crush?
--Gay Guy
Remember your first celebrity crush? Join the discussion here.
In 1979 I was bowled over by Breaking Away. First, the characters were my age; we were all preparing to go to college together. Second, it was all about being in between: in between high school and college, townie or college kid, your parents’ comfort zone or your own. It really hit home for me. Breaking Away was probably the first movie I saw that was about feeling different. There’s no gay/straight angle about the film, but it’s about being comfortable in your own skin. Put it on your NetFlix list.
My early adolescent movie habits forecast the trouble to come. I’d come home from school, watch the Merv Griffin show, then switch to the classic movies channel (I probably had to twist the TV’s rabbit ears to get enough reception). There they were -- the fabulous screwball comedies of the 1930s and 1940s, afternoon after afternoon. The Philadelphia Story, His Girl Friday, the list g
oes on. I fell head over heels for those women –Katherine Hepburn, Rosalind Russell, and all the others. They were smart, sassy, witty, fearless. They weren’t afraid of boundaries. I don’t remember the male leads; I think they were just a bunch of lovable dopes.The movie from my early adolescence that whipped me into a frenzy was The Three Musketeers. I was 12, it starred Michael York, and I was smitten. It was lust, pure and simple. That’s when I knew. Michael York was my first celebrity crush. After Lassie, that is.
By the way, SG, who was your first celebrity crush?
--Gay Guy
Remember your first celebrity crush? Join the discussion here.
3 comments:
Whoa, I'm pretty sure I saw The Three Musketeers with you, GG - that casts a whole new light on things. I remember being smitten with Raquel Welch's and Faye Dunaway's heaving, corseted bosoms. A memorable movie with something for everyone - if that's not peaceful coexistence I don't know what is.
Clearly then the solution to the war in Iraq a Three Musketeers Screening.
Ah, yes, My Dear Anonymous, you were indeed with me for the Three Musketeers. The heaving, corseted bosoms made an impression on me, just not as lasting.
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