Torch Song Trilogy **** (1988, Anne Bancroft, Matthew Broderick, Harvey Fierstein, Brian Kerwin, Karen Young) – Classic Movie Review 3377

‘It takes a lot of guts and a helluva sense of humour to live life in Arnold’s shoes.’ Tony Award-winning actor and playwright Harvey Fierstein adapts his own smash hit Broadway and London West End play for director Paul Bogart’s 1988 movie version that adroitly mixes witty, funny and thought-provoking entertainment with an angry, heartfelt message.

Fierstein re-creates his semi-autobiographical role as the outrageous, unsinkable New York drag queen Arnold Beckoff, while Anne Bancroft has a field day as his oppressive Jewish mother Ma Beckoff and Matthew Broderick charmingly plays his big romance, Alan Simon.

Torch Song Trilogy is a delightful, challenging look at American gay life back in the bad old days of the Seventies, full of wit and wisdom, and the three stars turn in hilarious and characterful performances. It has a natural appeal for a gay audience and it can be also enjoyed and admired by a wide public.

Also in the cast are Brian Kerwin, Karen Young, Eddie Castrodad as David, Ken Page, Axel Vera, Robert Neary and the female impersonator Charles Pierce (as Bertha Venation!).

The Broadway production opened at the Little Theater on 10 June 1982 and ran for 1222 performances till 10 May 1985. Fierstein won the 1983 Tony Award (New York City) for Actor in a Drama and for Author of Best Play.

Broderick, playing Alan in the movie, originated the role of David on stage. Estelle Getty originated the role of Ma Beckoff on Broadway but she was unavailable for the movie as she was filming TV’s The Golden Girls. Antony Sher played the New York drag queen role in the London West End production.

Torch Song Trilogy was originally produced in separately staged one-act plays at the La Mama theatre: International Stud, Fugue in a Nursery and Widows and Children First!

© Derek Winnert 2016 Classic Movie Review 3377

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