Anxious film buffs stood in a line in the blistering heat yesterday afternoon to guarantee a seat at an Outfest screening of “Making Love” starring hunky Harry Hamlin (LA LAW) and Kate Jackson (Charlie’s Angels).
Once inside the doors of the Harmony Gold Theatre they were not disappointed.
In fact, ticket holders - who hadn’t seen the ground-breaking film before - raved about the experience later in the packed lobby as they sipped on cocktails (sponsored by Absolute Vodka) and excitedly chatted each other up.
For film fans catching the drama the second time around (thirty years later) it dredged up nostalgic memories.
“When I screened Making Love the other day, I struck me how innocent it was in those days,” Harry Hamlin poignantly recalled at the informative Q & A when the lights went up.
In the next breath (fans hung on every word) he noted that when people stopped him in the street, they usually fessed up that the compelling feature helped them “come out” and accept themselves as gay individuals.
Of course, not everyone was elated with the 20th Century Fox release when it first hit movie screens across the country.
“We decided to slip into a theatre and catch a screening at one of those multiplexes,” Hamlin recalled. But, the experience was a little disconcerting, for good reason. When his entourage arrived at the movie house, right-off-the-bat they spied young straight couples lined up in the street for blocks on end waiting to get in the door.
“Fox didn’t promote the film as a gay-themed one, so they had no idea what the storyline was about,” Hamlin explained.
According to the ever-popular star, as soon as suggestive scenes began to unfold onscreen between the two male lead characters, filmgoers were spotted nervously twitching in their seats.
“When the two men kissed, quite a few disgusted people stormed out.”
During the Q & A, one guest asked why Hamlin agreed to take on the role of a gay man in view of the risk.
He paused for a moment, then quipped:
“The Money.”
The audience roared!
Once the laughter subsided, he noted that he had just finished wrapping “Clash of the Titans” (at the mere mention of the film, there were quite a few whoops and hollers from the audience) and that he was seeking a challenging project to take on at that time.
“But, it was in all our contracts that none of us would do any nudity,” he chuckled.
“Those were extras (doubles) you saw on the screen tonight.”
Barry Sandler (screenwriter) gleefully jumped in.
“We went down to a gay bar known as the “Blue Parrot” (The Revolver) and picked out the two hottest guys we could find in the room and promised to pay them by the hour (extras usually get a lowly day rate set by the Union),” he chuckled.
Arthur Hiller (Director) – who appeared a bit frail and unfocused – occasionally offered up comments from a comfortable antique armchair the Outfest staff graciously provided (the other panel members lounged casually in traditional directors chairs usually found on a Hollywood set).
Sadly, his memory failed on a couple of occasions last night.
For example, when the focus turned to filmmaking process, he apologized to the audience.
“I’m sorry you didn’t get to see the original version.”
Mr. Sandler politely interjected.
“Arthur, that was the original version.”
Hiller was under the impression that a scene that was cut years ago failed to flicker across the screen last night.
Sandler explained that the studio did demand that that specific scene be edited out, but later relented, and gave a green light to the filmmakers to include it in the final cut.
After the Q & A, Hamlin graciously stepped into the lobby and proceeded to pose with fans for photo opportunities, sign autographs, and kibitz a bit.
Last night, the handsome stud was the quintessential Hollywood Star, alright.
I was tempted to approach Hamlin and introduce myself, but begged off, since he was being overwhelmed by well-wishers.
Years ago, I was one of the bit players in the office scenes on “LA LAW” for a season or two. Although we worked within a few feet of each other, we were never officially introduced.
Well, maybe next time, eh?
For future screenings at Outfest (running all week) check out the schedule.
INFO
http://www.outfest.org
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