The Celluloid Closet
The acclaimed documentary based on Vito Russo’s groundbreaking book, The Cellulioid Closet explores the hidden subtext of more than 100 Hollywood movies—from The Maltese Falcon, Spartacus and Rebel Without A Cause to Thelma and Louise and Philadelphia.
Available Formats
About
Narrated by Lily Tomlin
Emmy Award, Nonfiction Directing (1995)
Featuring Tom Hanks, Susan Sarandon, Shirley MacLaine, Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Curtis, Gore Vidal, Arthur Laurents, Harvey Fierstein, John Schlesinger, Armistead Maupin, Susie Bright, and others.
The acclaimed documentary based on Vito Russo’s groundbreaking book, The Cellulioid Closet explores the hidden subtext of more than 100 Hollywood movies—from The Maltese Falcon to Spartacus and Rebel Without A Cause to Thelma and Louise and Philadelphia. A lively cinematic journey through evolving lesbian and gay stereotypes—and homosexual self-image—as seen through the first century of movie-making. With clips from over 100 movies, and revealing interviews with many of the artists who created them.
Photos
Festivals & Screenings
EMMY AWARD: DIRECTING
National Academy of Television Arts & Science
GEORGE FOSTER PEABODY AWARD
University of Georgia School of Journalism
duPONT-COLUMBIA AWARD
Excellence in Journalism
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AWARD
Sundance Film Festival
Reviews
"Fascinating... a beautifully and thoughtfully made film that touches on many areas of human sexuality and human expression beyond the obvious ... a vital and artful piece of work ... Celluloid Closet is a nonfiction film that presses more emotional buttons than many a manipulative melodrama and seems of equal interest to those of every conceivable sexual identity. It's not only about how people see each other and see themselves; it's also about being human and the joy and pain and confusion that strange condition entails."
- Tom Shales, The Washington Post
"Two thumbs up ... terrific!"
- Siskel & Ebert
"That's Entertainment with a difference... snappy, glamorous... a testimonial to the magic of the movies."
- J. Hoberman, Premiere
★★★★ (highest rating) "A spectacular movie-movie."
- Bruce Williamson, Playboy
Credits
Produced and Directed by
Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman
Co-Producer
Michael Lumpkin
Executive Producers
Howard Rosenman
Bernie Brillstein
Brad Grey
Co-Executive Producer
Lily Tomlin
Executive Producer for HBO
Sheila Nevins
Story by
Rob Epstein
Jeffrey Friedman
Sharon Wood
Narration Written by
Armistead Maupin
Edited by
Jeffrey Friedman
Arnold Glassman
Director of Photography
Nancy Schreiber
Art Director
Scott Chambliss
Music by
Carter Burwell
Narrated by
Lily Tomlin
Featuring
Jay Presson Allen
Susie Bright
Quentin Crisp
Mart Crowley
Tony Curtis
Richard Dyer
Antonio Fargas
Harvey Fierstein
Whoopi Goldberg
Farley Granger
Harry Hamlin
Tom Hanks
Arthur Laurents
Shirley MacLaine
Armistead Maupin
Daniel Melnick
Ron Nyswaner
Jan Oxenberg
Paul Rudnick
Barry Sandler
Susan Sarandon
John Schlesinger
Steward Stern
Gore Vidal