Some of My Best Friends Are...

I wish we knew more about Mervyn Nelson, the writer and director of this one... apparently he wrote a ground-breaking film on jazz around 1950, and another ground-breaking chapter of gay life back in the day. This is totally a snapshot of gay (mostly underground at the time) life in 1971. some drag, some straight-acting, some camp. and a thank you to a very young Rue McClanahan and Fannie Flagg for being a part of this. This is a good picture of people in a gay bar at various stages of acceptance; some are at peace with who they are... some are in denial, some are having conversations about being unsure of just where things are in their life. Christmas Eve, in a gay bar. Emotions. The hustler chooses a dance partner, but then has buyer's remorse. Fights. Ups, Downs. laughter. sorrow. Probably the biggest name here is Gary Sandy, much better known as the station manager in WKRP. and Gil Gerard was also Buck Rogers. It wasn't an easy time for gay folk. even the bars could be dangerous, two years after the stonewall riots in New York City. an honest look at gay life in the city, back in the day. Good stuff. an honest picture of gay life in 1971.