Victor/Victoria (1982) -- (Movie Clip) Gay Paree - Turner Classic Movi

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• "VICTOR / VICTORIA": 25 GAY YEARS {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MOVIBY KARMAN KREGLOEMARCH 19, 2007/3:23 AMBY KARMAN KREGLOEMARCH 19, 2007 / 3:23 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"\"VICTOR / VICTORIA\": 25 GAY YEARS LATER","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-03-19T07:23:16.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-03-19T07:23:16.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"KARMAN KREGLOE","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"MOVI"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE ALREADY SOMEWHAT RIDICULO WORLD OF MIL EDI (LOVE THEM THOUGH WE MAY, THEY ARE UNNIABLY CUR CREATUR), BLAKE EDWARDS' 1982 ROMANTIC MIL FARCE VICTOR/VICTORIA IS BEYOND FASCATG — AND NOT SIMPLY FOR THE REASONS THAT ONE MIGHT EXPECT. SURE, THE CENTRAL STORY OF A DOWN-AND-OUT SGER WHO, WH THE HELP OF A GAY PYGMALN, ACHIEV STARDOM AS A FEMALE IMPERSONATOR 1930S PARIS IS BIZARRE ENOUGH AS IS. BUT THAT'S ONLY THE BEGNG OF WHAT MAK VICTOR/VICTORIA SUCH A REMARKABLE, HISTORY-MAKG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF AMERIN CEMA, THE FILM HAS SURVIVED AS ONE OF THE MOST UNABASHEDLY GAY-POSIVE MOVI EVER MA BY A MAJOR STUD (MGM, THIS SE). EXACTLY 25 YEARS LATER, NO OTHER FILMS MATCH S BALANCE OF MASTREAM MARKETABILY AND UNFLAGGGLY PRO-GAY POSNG. WHEN SOMETHG EVEN REMOTELY AS SYMPATHETIC AS VICTOR/VICTORIA MAK S WAY ONTO BIG SCREENS (BROKEBACK MOUNTA, FOR EXAMPLE), 'S GHT WH NTROVERSY, SOMETHG THAT VICTOR MANAGED TO AVOID. ALL THE MORE REASON TO REVIS THE FILM — AND THE CIRCUMSTANC OM WHICH SO FABULOLY EMERGED — ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER MAKG A STRG OF SEQUELS HIS SMASH PK PANTHER ANCHISE, DIRECTOR BLAKE EDWARDS TOOK A FEW YEARS TO LLABORATE WH HIS WIFE JULIE ANDREWS. THE FILMS THEY MA TOGETHER WERE 10 (STARRG DUDLEY MOORE), S.O.B. ( WHICH ANDREWS FAMOLY BARED HER BREASTS) AND FALLY — AND MOST FAMOLY — VICTOR/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BASED ON A 1933 GERMAN FILM, VICTOR/VICTORIA TAILS THE RISE AND FALL OF EUROPE'S MOST CELEBRATED DRAG PERFORMER, WHO HAPPENS TO BE A WOMAN PRETENDG TO BE A MAN PRETENDG TO BE A WOMAN. COUNT VICTOR GREZHSKI IS ACTUALLY STGGLG SGER VICTORIA GRANT WHO, UNR THE GUIDANCE OF BARET PERFORMER AND PROMOTER CARROLL "TODDY" TODD (ROBERT PRTON), TRAS HER WOMANHOOD FOR A SHOT AT STARDOM. BUT WHEN VICTORIA FALLS FOR NIGHTCLUB OWNER KG MARCHAND (JAM GARNER), WHO ALREADY HAS HIS HANDS FULL WH HIS DZY GIRLIEND NORMA (LLEY ANN WARREN) AND BODYGUARD (ALEX KARRAS), SHE MT CI WHETHER TO KEEP UP THE ACT OR FOLLOW HER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S A PLITED PLOT, FOR SURE. BUT WHILE THE FILM'S CHE-BOX NCEPT AND OPULENT EXECUTN ARE DAZZLG, S MOST IMPRSIVE ATTRIBUTE IS S OVERWHELMGLY POSIVE ATTUS ABOUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FILM'S UNAPOLOGETIC OPENG SHOTS ARE OF TODDY AND ANOTHER MAN BED, TABLISHG IMMEDIATELY THAT THE FILM IS NOT GOG TO PSYFOOT AROUND S GAY NTENT. IT SEEMS THAT TODDY IS UNLUCKY LOVE AND THAT THE YOUNGER FELLOW IS JT A GOLD-DIGGG D, AND OM THE BEGNG MOMENTS 'S CLEAR THAT THIS PLUCKY YET SOMEWHAT SAD, OLR GAY MAN WILL BE OUR GUI THROUGH THE RT OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACTOR ROBERT PRTON, ALTHOUGH A SONG-AND-DANCE MAN, IS A BROAD-SHOULRED, BARONE-VOICED ONE; HE'S AN ODD CHOICE TO PLAY SUCH A FLAMBOYANT ROLE, AND THAT'S PARTLY WHY WORKS SO WELL. TODDY IS ONE OF THE MOST OUT LOUD, OUT-AND-PROUD CHARACTERS EVER SEEN A MAJOR STUD FILM, AND HE MANAG TO BE SO WHOUT FALLG PREY TO MANY OF THE STEREOTYP ABOUT GAY MEN THAT LTER THE CEMA. IT'S NO SMALL FEAT, PECIALLY NSIRG THAT THE FILM WAS MA AN ERA WHEN GAY VISIBILY MOVI WAS JT BEGNG TO FD S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TODDY'S SEXUALY IS DISCSED OPENLY AND ANKLY WHEN HE MEETS JULIE ANDREWS' VICTORIA (AFTER A HILAR RTRANT SCENE VOLVG AN UNOPERATIVE CKROACH). WHEN SHE ASKS HIM HOW LONG HE'S KNOWN THAT HE IS GAY, HE UNTERS, "HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN YOU WERE A SOPRANO?" THE TWO BOND STANTLY AND SOON ENOUGH HATCH THE PLOT TO REVENT VICTORIA AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SCE THE STORY TAK PLACE THE BTLG WORLD OF PARIS NIGHT LIFE (WHICH FEELS A B MORE LIKE 1930S BERL, LIKELY DUE TO THE SOURCE MATERIAL), THERE ARE PLENTY OF GAY CHARACTERS LG ABOUT, OM DRAG QUEENS TO BUTCH LBIANS TO CHOS BOYS TO BCHY PHOTOGRAPHERS. WHILE SOME OF THEM ARE A B THEATRIL, THIS IS ABOUT THE BARET, AFTER ALL. THROUGHOUT THE FILM, EVERY POSSIBLE OPPORTUNY IS TAKEN TO PRENT NTRASTG IMAG OF GAY PEOPLE AND GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOST NOTABLE IS THE FACT THAT AFTER MISTAKENLY BELIEVG THAT HIS BOSS, KG MARCHAND, IS GAY (DUE TO HIS BURGEONG AFFAIR WH VICTORIA, WHOM EVERYONE ELSE STILL THKS IS A MAN), BODYGUARD "SQUASH" BERNSTE (PLAYED BY FORMER PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER KARRAS) OUT OF THE CLOSET AND SOON BE VOLVED WH TODDY. WHEN KG ASKS HIM ABOUT HIS SEXUALY, WHICH SURPRIS HIM, BERNSTE NOT THAT HIS TOUGH-GUY IMAGE WAS A WAY TO STOP PEOPLE OM ASKG QUTNS, AND THEN POTS OUT THAT THE CURRENT FRENCH BOXG CHAMP IS ALSO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EVEN KG HIMSELF GO THROUGH A JOURNEY OF SEXUAL INTY OF SORTS. SCE OUTWARDLY APPEARS AS THOUGH HE IS DATG A MAN (ONLY HE AND TODDY KNOW THE TTH ABOUT VICTOR), HE GO THROUGH A MASCULE CRISIS WHERE HE IS FORCED TO RE-EVALUATE HIS VIEWS ON WHAT MAK A MAN A MAN. AFTER SOME MISSTEPS, WHICH CLU GETTG THE TAR BEAT OUT OF HIM AT A BAR, KG TO REALIZE THAT LOVE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT OTHERS MIGHT THK ABOUT YOU. VICTORIA EVENTUALLY MEETS KG HALFWAY, BUT HIS JOURNEY OF UNRSTANDG IS IMPRSIVELY FOLLOWED THROUGH TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS MAK FOR QUE A REVOLUTNARY MSAGE AND ONE THAT WAS ENORMOLY WELL-RECEIVED WHEN THE FILM WAS RELEASED 1982. THE MOVIE WAS NOMATED FOR SEVERAL OSRS (CLUDG BT ACTRS, BT SUPPORTG ACTOR AND BT SUPPORTG ACTRS) AND WALKED AWAY WH THE AWARDS FOR BT SONG AND SRE — AND WON THE FRENCH CAR FOR BT FOREIGN FILM. (CONSIRG THAT WAS AN AMERIN FILM ABOUT PARIS, THIS IS PRETTY AMAZG.) THE FILM LIKEWISE SRED A NUMBER OF GOLN GLOBE NOMATNS AND A W FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRIL RECEPTN TO THE FILM WAS QUE POSIVE. IN HIS REVIEW UPON THE FILM'S RELEASE, ROGER EBERT FOCED ON THE FILM'S GOOD NATURE, NOTG:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE THREE MOST DIFFICULT ROL BELONG TO PRTON, GARNER, AND KARRAS, WHO MT WALK A TIGHTROPE OF UNCERTA SEXUAL INTY WHOUT EVEN APPEARG TO NSCEND TO THEIR MATERIAL. THEY NEVER DO. BEE THEY ALL SEEM TO BE PEOPLE FIRST AND GENRS SEND, THEY SEE THE HUMOR THEIR BEWILRG SUATN AS QUICKLY AS ANYONE, AND THEIR CHEERFUL ABILY TO RISE TO A SERI OF IMPLSIBLE OCSNS MAK VICTOR/VICTORIA NOT ONLY A FUNNY MOVIE, BUT, UNEXPECTEDLY, A WARM AND IENDLY ONE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S QUE A FORWARD-THKG ASSSMENT OF WHAT SOME PEOPLE MIGHT NSIR A THROWAWAY MIL EDY. OTHER REVIEWS HAILED THE FILM AS EDWARDS' BT WORK: COSMOPOLAN LLED "A 10"; THE NEW REPUBLIC LLED "THE BT AMERIN FILM FARCE SCE SOME LIKE HOT"; NEW YORK TIM CRIC VCENT CANBY LLED EDWARDS' "CKEYED, CROWNG ACHIEVEMENT." MUCH WAS MA OF THE FACT THAT THE ACTORS — PRTON , PARTICULAR — MANAGED TO EMBODY THEIR CHARACTERS WH VALY WHOUT NSCENDG TO THEM OR TIPPG TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} HAD THE GREAT PLEASURE OF SPEAKG WH THE LOVELY AND TALENTED LLEY ANN WARREN ABOUT THE FILM, WHICH HAD AN ENORMO IMPACT ON HER REER AND CEMENTED HER AS A FAVORE FOR MANY GAY DIENCE MEMBERS. (BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR PANN PIECE FOR A FULL TERVIEW WH MS. WARREN ON HER LORFUL REER.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED WHETHER THE ST WAS AWARE DURG FILMG OF JT HOW REVOLUTNARY THE FILM WAS TERMS OF GAY VISIBILY, SHE RPOND, "I DON'T THK SO — CERTALY NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE. YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE THE MIDDLE OF CREATG SOMETHG, YOU'RE NOT THAT OUTSI OF . IN A WAY, 'S A VERY TROSPECTIVE PROCS. I HAD NO IA, FOR STANCE, THAT THAT ROLE WOULD HAVE SUCH AN IMPACT FOR ME THE BS — NO IA. AND I'M SURE THAT'S HOW WE ALL FELT ABOUT THE MOVIE AND S SOCLOGIL OR POLIL EXPLORATN TO GENR INTIFITN AND ALL THAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED HOW SHE FELT THE PRO-GAY AND PRO-TOLERANCE MSAG OF THE FILM GOT THERE THE FIRST PLACE, SHE'S NFINT THAT THE CRED ALL GO TO DIRECTOR BLAKE EDWARDS. "BLAKE AT THAT TIME HAD PLETE ARTISTIC NTROL," WARREN SAID. "HE REALLY ANSWERED TO NO ONE. I CERTALY WASN'T PRIVY TO THE CREATIVE NVERSATNS THAT HE WOULD HAVE AT THE STUD LEVEL, BUT I'M CERTA THAT HIS IMPRT AND HIS CISN-MAKG WAS PARAMOUNT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FILM WAS A HUGE BOON FOR WARREN'S REER, AND CEMENTED HER THE MDS OF MANY GAY FANS AS A FAVORE. BUT WHEN SHE FIRST SAW HER GAGA PERFORMANCE AS HISTRNIC CHOS GIRL NORMA, WARREN THOUGHT HER REER WAS DOOMED. "I CRIED FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS WHEN I SAW THE FIRST TIME," SHE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I THOUGHT, 'THIS IS THE END OF MY REER — THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE END OF MY REER.' I THOUGHT WAS JT, YOU KNOW, SO BIG AND SO BROAD — AND I WAS SO WRONG. AND WASN'T UNTIL I STARTED SEEG AT THE HUGE SCREENGS WHEN PEOPLE WOULD BE FALLG OVER THEMSELV WH LGHTER AT MY CHARACTER AND I THOUGHT, 'OK — I [AM] PLETELY WRONG HERE.' BUT THEN I'M GENERALLY WRONG ABOUT MY PERCEPTNS ABOUT MYSELF, I MT SAY!"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ROLE EARNED WARREN OSR AND GOLN GLOBE NOMATNS AND REVIGORATED HER REER, WHICH HAD BEEN LNCHED WHEN SHE PLAYED THE LEAD ROLE THE BELOVED MA-FOR-TELEVISN MOVIE CRELLA. BUT ALSO WAS A ROLE THAT MA GAY DIENC S UP AND TAKE NOTICE OF THE ACTRS, AND HAS LIKELY IMPACTED THE RT OF HER REER THAT SENSE AS WELL. IN RECENT YEARS, WARREN HAS BEEN VED TO MAKE APPEARANC ON WILL & GRACE, DPERATE HOEWIV AND OTHER GAY-PRODUCED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED WHY SHE FEELS THAT GAY DIENC HAVE RPOND TO HER AS AN ACTOR, SHE REPLIED: "CERTALY THE PERFORMANCE VICTOR/VICTORIA BEE IS SO WILDLY FEME — CRAZILY SO, THIS SORT OF LARGER-THAN-LIFE PERSONA THE AREA OF FEMALE POWER. THAT'S FELY ONE ASPECT. BUT I THK, BEE I'VE HEARD OM SO MANY GAY MEN ABOUT CRELLA, THAT 'S ALSO ABOUT THIS EP VULNERABILY, THIS BROKENNS, THIS KD OF SHATTERED QUALY THAT I RRIED FOR SO LONG — I THK 'S RELATABLE ON A VERY EP LEVEL. AND I THK THAT'S PART OF , TOO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VICTOR/VICTORIA MA A HUGE IMPACT ON THE REERS OF S ST AND CREW, AS WELL AS THE DIENCE WHO FLOCKED TO , MUCH OF WHICH WAS LIKELY MA UP OF GAY VIEWERS EPLY AFFECTED BY THE FILM'S MSAG OF UNRSTANDG AND HOPE. WARREN BELIEV THE FILM'S MSAGE WAS SO SUCCSFULLY NVEYED BEE WAS SEAMLSLY TEGRATED TO THE BRILLIANT EDY THAT DROVE THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE HUMOR ULD ALSO BE SIMPLY ENJOYED — IF YOU CHOSE TO NOT THK ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE ACTUALLY SEEG, YOU ULD JT ENJOY THE CKROACH THE RTRANT, YOU KNOW?" SHE POTED OUT. "JT THE BRILLIANT SLAPSTICK STUFF THAT WAS DONE SO PHENOMENALLY. THERE'S SO MUCH TO ENJOY ON SO MANY LEVELS — WAS A DISCERNG DIENCE MEMBER THAT ULD CHOOSE TO TAKE WHAT WAS REALLY ALG WH, HEAD-ON."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE YEAR 1982 WAS ACTUALLY A BIG ONE FOR HOLLYWOOD FILMS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALS AND SOCIETY'S PERCEPTNS ABOUT "GAY LIFTYL," BUT WHILE MAKG LOVE (RELEASED THE SAME MONTH), PERSONAL BT (WHICH EXPLORED LBIAN LOVE THE WORLD OF ATHLETICS) AND PARTNERS (A RATHER NSE EDY FEATURG A GAY SIKICK) ALL RAISED THE SUBJECT, ONLY VICTOR/VICTORIA WAS ABLE TO WOW CRICS AND DIENC ALIKE AND ACHIEVE BOX-OFFICE SUCCS. THE FILM GROSSED $28 LN THEATRILLY (NO SMALL SHAK FOR A MIL 1982) AND HAS SCE MA OVER $11 LN ON VIO. IT RECENTLY WAS GIVEN A WISCREEN DVD TRANSFER THAT ALLOWS NEW DIENC TO ENJOY THE FILM AS WAS ORIGALLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOVIE MILS HAVE ENJOYED A B OF A RURGENCE OF LATE, BUT VICTOR/VICTORIA STANDS AS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GENRE, BOTH TERMS OF GAY REPRENTATN AND SHEER BRILLIANCE EXECUTN. WHETHER YOU SAW THE FILM THEATERS BACK 1982 OR YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE READG THIS, YOU OWE TO YOURSELF TO SPEND SOME TIME WH VICTOR, TODDY, NORMA, BERNSTE AND KG MARCHAND. LEARNG A LSON OR TWO ABOUT UNRSTANDG AND THE UNPREDICTABILY OF LOVE IS SELDOM SO MUCH JAZZY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE ALREADY SOMEWHAT RIDICULO WORLD OF MIL EDI (LOVE THEM THOUGH WE MAY, THEY ARE UNNIABLY CUR CREATUR), BLAKE EDWARDS' 1982 ROMANTIC MIL FARCE VICTOR/VICTORIA IS BEYOND FASCATG — AND NOT SIMPLY FOR THE REASONS THAT ONE MIGHT EXPECT. SURE, THE CENTRAL STORY OF A DOWN-AND-OUT SGER WHO, WH THE HELP OF A GAY PYGMALN, ACHIEV STARDOM AS A FEMALE IMPERSONATOR 1930S PARIS IS BIZARRE ENOUGH AS IS. BUT THAT'S ONLY THE BEGNG OF WHAT MAK VICTOR/VICTORIA SUCH A REMARKABLE, HISTORY-MAKG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF AMERIN CEMA, THE FILM HAS SURVIVED AS ONE OF THE MOST UNABASHEDLY GAY-POSIVE MOVI EVER MA BY A MAJOR STUD (MGM, THIS SE). EXACTLY 25 YEARS LATER, NO OTHER FILMS MATCH S BALANCE OF MASTREAM MARKETABILY AND UNFLAGGGLY PRO-GAY POSNG. WHEN SOMETHG EVEN REMOTELY AS SYMPATHETIC AS VICTOR/VICTORIA MAK S WAY ONTO BIG SCREENS (BROKEBACK MOUNTA, FOR EXAMPLE), 'S GHT WH NTROVERSY, SOMETHG THAT VICTOR MANAGED TO AVOID. ALL THE MORE REASON TO REVIS THE FILM — AND THE CIRCUMSTANC OM WHICH SO FABULOLY EMERGED — ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER MAKG A STRG OF SEQUELS HIS SMASH PK PANTHER ANCHISE, DIRECTOR BLAKE EDWARDS TOOK A FEW YEARS TO LLABORATE WH HIS WIFE JULIE ANDREWS. THE FILMS THEY MA TOGETHER WERE 10 (STARRG DUDLEY MOORE), S.O.B. ( WHICH ANDREWS FAMOLY BARED HER BREASTS) AND FALLY — AND MOST FAMOLY — VICTOR/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BASED ON A 1933 GERMAN FILM, VICTOR/VICTORIA TAILS THE RISE AND FALL OF EUROPE'S MOST CELEBRATED DRAG PERFORMER, WHO HAPPENS TO BE A WOMAN PRETENDG TO BE A MAN PRETENDG TO BE A WOMAN. COUNT VICTOR GREZHSKI IS ACTUALLY STGGLG SGER VICTORIA GRANT WHO, UNR THE GUIDANCE OF BARET PERFORMER AND PROMOTER CARROLL "TODDY" TODD (ROBERT PRTON), TRAS HER WOMANHOOD FOR A SHOT AT STARDOM. BUT WHEN VICTORIA FALLS FOR NIGHTCLUB OWNER KG MARCHAND (JAM GARNER), WHO ALREADY HAS HIS HANDS FULL WH HIS DZY GIRLIEND NORMA (LLEY ANN WARREN) AND BODYGUARD (ALEX KARRAS), SHE MT CI WHETHER TO KEEP UP THE ACT OR FOLLOW HER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S A PLITED PLOT, FOR SURE. BUT WHILE THE FILM'S CHE-BOX NCEPT AND OPULENT EXECUTN ARE DAZZLG, S MOST IMPRSIVE ATTRIBUTE IS S OVERWHELMGLY POSIVE ATTUS ABOUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FILM'S UNAPOLOGETIC OPENG SHOTS ARE OF TODDY AND ANOTHER MAN BED, TABLISHG IMMEDIATELY THAT THE FILM IS NOT GOG TO PSYFOOT AROUND S GAY NTENT. IT SEEMS THAT TODDY IS UNLUCKY LOVE AND THAT THE YOUNGER FELLOW IS JT A GOLD-DIGGG D, AND OM THE BEGNG MOMENTS 'S CLEAR THAT THIS PLUCKY YET SOMEWHAT SAD, OLR GAY MAN WILL BE OUR GUI THROUGH THE RT OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACTOR ROBERT PRTON, ALTHOUGH A SONG-AND-DANCE MAN, IS A BROAD-SHOULRED, BARONE-VOICED ONE; HE'S AN ODD CHOICE TO PLAY SUCH A FLAMBOYANT ROLE, AND THAT'S PARTLY WHY WORKS SO WELL. TODDY IS ONE OF THE MOST OUT LOUD, OUT-AND-PROUD CHARACTERS EVER SEEN A MAJOR STUD FILM, AND HE MANAG TO BE SO WHOUT FALLG PREY TO MANY OF THE STEREOTYP ABOUT GAY MEN THAT LTER THE CEMA. IT'S NO SMALL FEAT, PECIALLY NSIRG THAT THE FILM WAS MA AN ERA WHEN GAY VISIBILY MOVI WAS JT BEGNG TO FD S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TODDY'S SEXUALY IS DISCSED OPENLY AND ANKLY WHEN HE MEETS JULIE ANDREWS' VICTORIA (AFTER A HILAR RTRANT SCENE VOLVG AN UNOPERATIVE CKROACH). WHEN SHE ASKS HIM HOW LONG HE'S KNOWN THAT HE IS GAY, HE UNTERS, "HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN YOU WERE A SOPRANO?" THE TWO BOND STANTLY AND SOON ENOUGH HATCH THE PLOT TO REVENT VICTORIA AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SCE THE STORY TAK PLACE THE BTLG WORLD OF PARIS NIGHT LIFE (WHICH FEELS A B MORE LIKE 1930S BERL, LIKELY DUE TO THE SOURCE MATERIAL), THERE ARE PLENTY OF GAY CHARACTERS LG ABOUT, OM DRAG QUEENS TO BUTCH LBIANS TO CHOS BOYS TO BCHY PHOTOGRAPHERS. WHILE SOME OF THEM ARE A B THEATRIL, THIS IS ABOUT THE BARET, AFTER ALL. THROUGHOUT THE FILM, EVERY POSSIBLE OPPORTUNY IS TAKEN TO PRENT NTRASTG IMAG OF GAY PEOPLE AND GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOST NOTABLE IS THE FACT THAT AFTER MISTAKENLY BELIEVG THAT HIS BOSS, KG MARCHAND, IS GAY (DUE TO HIS BURGEONG AFFAIR WH VICTORIA, WHOM EVERYONE ELSE STILL THKS IS A MAN), BODYGUARD "SQUASH" BERNSTE (PLAYED BY FORMER PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER KARRAS) OUT OF THE CLOSET AND SOON BE VOLVED WH TODDY. WHEN KG ASKS HIM ABOUT HIS SEXUALY, WHICH SURPRIS HIM, BERNSTE NOT THAT HIS TOUGH-GUY IMAGE WAS A WAY TO STOP PEOPLE OM ASKG QUTNS, AND THEN POTS OUT THAT THE CURRENT FRENCH BOXG CHAMP IS ALSO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EVEN KG HIMSELF GO THROUGH A JOURNEY OF SEXUAL INTY OF SORTS. SCE OUTWARDLY APPEARS AS THOUGH HE IS DATG A MAN (ONLY HE AND TODDY KNOW THE TTH ABOUT VICTOR), HE GO THROUGH A MASCULE CRISIS WHERE HE IS FORCED TO RE-EVALUATE HIS VIEWS ON WHAT MAK A MAN A MAN. AFTER SOME MISSTEPS, WHICH CLU GETTG THE TAR BEAT OUT OF HIM AT A BAR, KG TO REALIZE THAT LOVE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT OTHERS MIGHT THK ABOUT YOU. VICTORIA EVENTUALLY MEETS KG HALFWAY, BUT HIS JOURNEY OF UNRSTANDG IS IMPRSIVELY FOLLOWED THROUGH TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS MAK FOR QUE A REVOLUTNARY MSAGE AND ONE THAT WAS ENORMOLY WELL-RECEIVED WHEN THE FILM WAS RELEASED 1982. THE MOVIE WAS NOMATED FOR SEVERAL OSRS (CLUDG BT ACTRS, BT SUPPORTG ACTOR AND BT SUPPORTG ACTRS) AND WALKED AWAY WH THE AWARDS FOR BT SONG AND SRE — AND WON THE FRENCH CAR FOR BT FOREIGN FILM. (CONSIRG THAT WAS AN AMERIN FILM ABOUT PARIS, THIS IS PRETTY AMAZG.) THE FILM LIKEWISE SRED A NUMBER OF GOLN GLOBE NOMATNS AND A W FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRIL RECEPTN TO THE FILM WAS QUE POSIVE. IN HIS REVIEW UPON THE FILM'S RELEASE, ROGER EBERT FOCED ON THE FILM'S GOOD NATURE, NOTG:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE THREE MOST DIFFICULT ROL BELONG TO PRTON, GARNER, AND KARRAS, WHO MT WALK A TIGHTROPE OF UNCERTA SEXUAL INTY WHOUT EVEN APPEARG TO NSCEND TO THEIR MATERIAL. THEY NEVER DO. BEE THEY ALL SEEM TO BE PEOPLE FIRST AND GENRS SEND, THEY SEE THE HUMOR THEIR BEWILRG SUATN AS QUICKLY AS ANYONE, AND THEIR CHEERFUL ABILY TO RISE TO A SERI OF IMPLSIBLE OCSNS MAK VICTOR/VICTORIA NOT ONLY A FUNNY MOVIE, BUT, UNEXPECTEDLY, A WARM AND IENDLY ONE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S QUE A FORWARD-THKG ASSSMENT OF WHAT SOME PEOPLE MIGHT NSIR A THROWAWAY MIL EDY. OTHER REVIEWS HAILED THE FILM AS EDWARDS' BT WORK: COSMOPOLAN LLED "A 10"; THE NEW REPUBLIC LLED "THE BT AMERIN FILM FARCE SCE SOME LIKE HOT"; NEW YORK TIM CRIC VCENT CANBY LLED EDWARDS' "CKEYED, CROWNG ACHIEVEMENT." MUCH WAS MA OF THE FACT THAT THE ACTORS — PRTON , PARTICULAR — MANAGED TO EMBODY THEIR CHARACTERS WH VALY WHOUT NSCENDG TO THEM OR TIPPG TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} HAD THE GREAT PLEASURE OF SPEAKG WH THE LOVELY AND TALENTED LLEY ANN WARREN ABOUT THE FILM, WHICH HAD AN ENORMO IMPACT ON HER REER AND CEMENTED HER AS A FAVORE FOR MANY GAY DIENCE MEMBERS. (BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR PANN PIECE FOR A FULL TERVIEW WH MS. WARREN ON HER LORFUL REER.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED WHETHER THE ST WAS AWARE DURG FILMG OF JT HOW REVOLUTNARY THE FILM WAS TERMS OF GAY VISIBILY, SHE RPOND, "I DON'T THK SO — CERTALY NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE. YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE THE MIDDLE OF CREATG SOMETHG, YOU'RE NOT THAT OUTSI OF . IN A WAY, 'S A VERY TROSPECTIVE PROCS. I HAD NO IA, FOR STANCE, THAT THAT ROLE WOULD HAVE SUCH AN IMPACT FOR ME THE BS — NO IA. AND I'M SURE THAT'S HOW WE ALL FELT ABOUT THE MOVIE AND S SOCLOGIL OR POLIL EXPLORATN TO GENR INTIFITN AND ALL THAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED HOW SHE FELT THE PRO-GAY AND PRO-TOLERANCE MSAG OF THE FILM GOT THERE THE FIRST PLACE, SHE'S NFINT THAT THE CRED ALL GO TO DIRECTOR BLAKE EDWARDS. "BLAKE AT THAT TIME HAD PLETE ARTISTIC NTROL," WARREN SAID. "HE REALLY ANSWERED TO NO ONE. I CERTALY WASN'T PRIVY TO THE CREATIVE NVERSATNS THAT HE WOULD HAVE AT THE STUD LEVEL, BUT I'M CERTA THAT HIS IMPRT AND HIS CISN-MAKG WAS PARAMOUNT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FILM WAS A HUGE BOON FOR WARREN'S REER, AND CEMENTED HER THE MDS OF MANY GAY FANS AS A FAVORE. BUT WHEN SHE FIRST SAW HER GAGA PERFORMANCE AS HISTRNIC CHOS GIRL NORMA, WARREN THOUGHT HER REER WAS DOOMED. "I CRIED FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS WHEN I SAW THE FIRST TIME," SHE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I THOUGHT, 'THIS IS THE END OF MY REER — THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE END OF MY REER.' I THOUGHT WAS JT, YOU KNOW, SO BIG AND SO BROAD — AND I WAS SO WRONG. AND WASN'T UNTIL I STARTED SEEG AT THE HUGE SCREENGS WHEN PEOPLE WOULD BE FALLG OVER THEMSELV WH LGHTER AT MY CHARACTER AND I THOUGHT, 'OK — I [AM] PLETELY WRONG HERE.' BUT THEN I'M GENERALLY WRONG ABOUT MY PERCEPTNS ABOUT MYSELF, I MT SAY!"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ROLE EARNED WARREN OSR AND GOLN GLOBE NOMATNS AND REVIGORATED HER REER, WHICH HAD BEEN LNCHED WHEN SHE PLAYED THE LEAD ROLE THE BELOVED MA-FOR-TELEVISN MOVIE CRELLA. BUT ALSO WAS A ROLE THAT MA GAY DIENC S UP AND TAKE NOTICE OF THE ACTRS, AND HAS LIKELY IMPACTED THE RT OF HER REER THAT SENSE AS WELL. IN RECENT YEARS, WARREN HAS BEEN VED TO MAKE APPEARANC ON WILL & GRACE, DPERATE HOEWIV AND OTHER GAY-PRODUCED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED WHY SHE FEELS THAT GAY DIENC HAVE RPOND TO HER AS AN ACTOR, SHE REPLIED: "CERTALY THE PERFORMANCE VICTOR/VICTORIA BEE IS SO WILDLY FEME — CRAZILY SO, THIS SORT OF LARGER-THAN-LIFE PERSONA THE AREA OF FEMALE POWER. THAT'S FELY ONE ASPECT. BUT I THK, BEE I'VE HEARD OM SO MANY GAY MEN ABOUT CRELLA, THAT 'S ALSO ABOUT THIS EP VULNERABILY, THIS BROKENNS, THIS KD OF SHATTERED QUALY THAT I RRIED FOR SO LONG — I THK 'S RELATABLE ON A VERY EP LEVEL. AND I THK THAT'S PART OF , TOO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VICTOR/VICTORIA MA A HUGE IMPACT ON THE REERS OF S ST AND CREW, AS WELL AS THE DIENCE WHO FLOCKED TO , MUCH OF WHICH WAS LIKELY MA UP OF GAY VIEWERS EPLY AFFECTED BY THE FILM'S MSAG OF UNRSTANDG AND HOPE. WARREN BELIEV THE FILM'S MSAGE WAS SO SUCCSFULLY NVEYED BEE WAS SEAMLSLY TEGRATED TO THE BRILLIANT EDY THAT DROVE THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE HUMOR ULD ALSO BE SIMPLY ENJOYED — IF YOU CHOSE TO NOT THK ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE ACTUALLY SEEG, YOU ULD JT ENJOY THE CKROACH THE RTRANT, YOU KNOW?" SHE POTED OUT. "JT THE BRILLIANT SLAPSTICK STUFF THAT WAS DONE SO PHENOMENALLY. THERE'S SO MUCH TO ENJOY ON SO MANY LEVELS — WAS A DISCERNG DIENCE MEMBER THAT ULD CHOOSE TO TAKE WHAT WAS REALLY ALG WH, HEAD-ON."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE YEAR 1982 WAS ACTUALLY A BIG ONE FOR HOLLYWOOD FILMS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALS AND SOCIETY'S PERCEPTNS ABOUT "GAY LIFTYL," BUT WHILE MAKG LOVE (RELEASED THE SAME MONTH), PERSONAL BT (WHICH EXPLORED LBIAN LOVE THE WORLD OF ATHLETICS) AND PARTNERS (A RATHER NSE EDY FEATURG A GAY SIKICK) ALL RAISED THE SUBJECT, ONLY VICTOR/VICTORIA WAS ABLE TO WOW CRICS AND DIENC ALIKE AND ACHIEVE BOX-OFFICE SUCCS. THE FILM GROSSED $28 LN THEATRILLY (NO SMALL SHAK FOR A MIL 1982) AND HAS SCE MA OVER $11 LN ON VIO. IT RECENTLY WAS GIVEN A WISCREEN DVD TRANSFER THAT ALLOWS NEW DIENC TO ENJOY THE FILM AS WAS ORIGALLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOVIE MILS HAVE ENJOYED A B OF A RURGENCE OF LATE, BUT VICTOR/VICTORIA STANDS AS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GENRE, BOTH TERMS OF GAY REPRENTATN AND SHEER BRILLIANCE EXECUTN. WHETHER YOU SAW THE FILM THEATERS BACK 1982 OR YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE READG THIS, YOU OWE TO YOURSELF TO SPEND SOME TIME WH VICTOR, TODDY, NORMA, BERNSTE AND KG MARCHAND. LEARNG A LSON OR TWO ABOUT UNRSTANDG AND THE UNPREDICTABILY OF LOVE IS SELDOM SO MUCH JAZZY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• VICTOR/VICTORIA (1982) - (MOVIE CLIP) GAY PAREE

"VICTOR / VICTORIA": 25 GAY YEARS {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MOVIBY KARMAN KREGLOEMARCH 19, 2007/3:23 AMBY KARMAN KREGLOEMARCH 19, 2007 / 3:23 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"\"VICTOR / VICTORIA\": 25 GAY YEARS LATER","DATEPUBLISHED":"2007-03-19T07:23:16.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2007-03-19T07:23:16.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"KARMAN KREGLOE","KEYWORDS":"THE BACKLOT","ARTICLESECTN":"MOVI"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE ALREADY SOMEWHAT RIDICULO WORLD OF MIL EDI (LOVE THEM THOUGH WE MAY, THEY ARE UNNIABLY CUR CREATUR), BLAKE EDWARDS' 1982 ROMANTIC MIL FARCE VICTOR/VICTORIA IS BEYOND FASCATG — AND NOT SIMPLY FOR THE REASONS THAT ONE MIGHT EXPECT. SURE, THE CENTRAL STORY OF A DOWN-AND-OUT SGER WHO, WH THE HELP OF A GAY PYGMALN, ACHIEV STARDOM AS A FEMALE IMPERSONATOR 1930S PARIS IS BIZARRE ENOUGH AS IS. BUT THAT'S ONLY THE BEGNG OF WHAT MAK VICTOR/VICTORIA SUCH A REMARKABLE, HISTORY-MAKG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF AMERIN CEMA, THE FILM HAS SURVIVED AS ONE OF THE MOST UNABASHEDLY GAY-POSIVE MOVI EVER MA BY A MAJOR STUD (MGM, THIS SE). EXACTLY 25 YEARS LATER, NO OTHER FILMS MATCH S BALANCE OF MASTREAM MARKETABILY AND UNFLAGGGLY PRO-GAY POSNG. WHEN SOMETHG EVEN REMOTELY AS SYMPATHETIC AS VICTOR/VICTORIA MAK S WAY ONTO BIG SCREENS (BROKEBACK MOUNTA, FOR EXAMPLE), 'S GHT WH NTROVERSY, SOMETHG THAT VICTOR MANAGED TO AVOID. ALL THE MORE REASON TO REVIS THE FILM — AND THE CIRCUMSTANC OM WHICH SO FABULOLY EMERGED — ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER MAKG A STRG OF SEQUELS HIS SMASH PK PANTHER ANCHISE, DIRECTOR BLAKE EDWARDS TOOK A FEW YEARS TO LLABORATE WH HIS WIFE JULIE ANDREWS. THE FILMS THEY MA TOGETHER WERE 10 (STARRG DUDLEY MOORE), S.O.B. ( WHICH ANDREWS FAMOLY BARED HER BREASTS) AND FALLY — AND MOST FAMOLY — VICTOR/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BASED ON A 1933 GERMAN FILM, VICTOR/VICTORIA TAILS THE RISE AND FALL OF EUROPE'S MOST CELEBRATED DRAG PERFORMER, WHO HAPPENS TO BE A WOMAN PRETENDG TO BE A MAN PRETENDG TO BE A WOMAN. COUNT VICTOR GREZHSKI IS ACTUALLY STGGLG SGER VICTORIA GRANT WHO, UNR THE GUIDANCE OF BARET PERFORMER AND PROMOTER CARROLL "TODDY" TODD (ROBERT PRTON), TRAS HER WOMANHOOD FOR A SHOT AT STARDOM. BUT WHEN VICTORIA FALLS FOR NIGHTCLUB OWNER KG MARCHAND (JAM GARNER), WHO ALREADY HAS HIS HANDS FULL WH HIS DZY GIRLIEND NORMA (LLEY ANN WARREN) AND BODYGUARD (ALEX KARRAS), SHE MT CI WHETHER TO KEEP UP THE ACT OR FOLLOW HER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S A PLITED PLOT, FOR SURE. BUT WHILE THE FILM'S CHE-BOX NCEPT AND OPULENT EXECUTN ARE DAZZLG, S MOST IMPRSIVE ATTRIBUTE IS S OVERWHELMGLY POSIVE ATTUS ABOUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FILM'S UNAPOLOGETIC OPENG SHOTS ARE OF TODDY AND ANOTHER MAN BED, TABLISHG IMMEDIATELY THAT THE FILM IS NOT GOG TO PSYFOOT AROUND S GAY NTENT. IT SEEMS THAT TODDY IS UNLUCKY LOVE AND THAT THE YOUNGER FELLOW IS JT A GOLD-DIGGG D, AND OM THE BEGNG MOMENTS 'S CLEAR THAT THIS PLUCKY YET SOMEWHAT SAD, OLR GAY MAN WILL BE OUR GUI THROUGH THE RT OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACTOR ROBERT PRTON, ALTHOUGH A SONG-AND-DANCE MAN, IS A BROAD-SHOULRED, BARONE-VOICED ONE; HE'S AN ODD CHOICE TO PLAY SUCH A FLAMBOYANT ROLE, AND THAT'S PARTLY WHY WORKS SO WELL. TODDY IS ONE OF THE MOST OUT LOUD, OUT-AND-PROUD CHARACTERS EVER SEEN A MAJOR STUD FILM, AND HE MANAG TO BE SO WHOUT FALLG PREY TO MANY OF THE STEREOTYP ABOUT GAY MEN THAT LTER THE CEMA. IT'S NO SMALL FEAT, PECIALLY NSIRG THAT THE FILM WAS MA AN ERA WHEN GAY VISIBILY MOVI WAS JT BEGNG TO FD S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TODDY'S SEXUALY IS DISCSED OPENLY AND ANKLY WHEN HE MEETS JULIE ANDREWS' VICTORIA (AFTER A HILAR RTRANT SCENE VOLVG AN UNOPERATIVE CKROACH). WHEN SHE ASKS HIM HOW LONG HE'S KNOWN THAT HE IS GAY, HE UNTERS, "HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN YOU WERE A SOPRANO?" THE TWO BOND STANTLY AND SOON ENOUGH HATCH THE PLOT TO REVENT VICTORIA AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SCE THE STORY TAK PLACE THE BTLG WORLD OF PARIS NIGHT LIFE (WHICH FEELS A B MORE LIKE 1930S BERL, LIKELY DUE TO THE SOURCE MATERIAL), THERE ARE PLENTY OF GAY CHARACTERS LG ABOUT, OM DRAG QUEENS TO BUTCH LBIANS TO CHOS BOYS TO BCHY PHOTOGRAPHERS. WHILE SOME OF THEM ARE A B THEATRIL, THIS IS ABOUT THE BARET, AFTER ALL. THROUGHOUT THE FILM, EVERY POSSIBLE OPPORTUNY IS TAKEN TO PRENT NTRASTG IMAG OF GAY PEOPLE AND GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOST NOTABLE IS THE FACT THAT AFTER MISTAKENLY BELIEVG THAT HIS BOSS, KG MARCHAND, IS GAY (DUE TO HIS BURGEONG AFFAIR WH VICTORIA, WHOM EVERYONE ELSE STILL THKS IS A MAN), BODYGUARD "SQUASH" BERNSTE (PLAYED BY FORMER PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER KARRAS) OUT OF THE CLOSET AND SOON BE VOLVED WH TODDY. WHEN KG ASKS HIM ABOUT HIS SEXUALY, WHICH SURPRIS HIM, BERNSTE NOT THAT HIS TOUGH-GUY IMAGE WAS A WAY TO STOP PEOPLE OM ASKG QUTNS, AND THEN POTS OUT THAT THE CURRENT FRENCH BOXG CHAMP IS ALSO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EVEN KG HIMSELF GO THROUGH A JOURNEY OF SEXUAL INTY OF SORTS. SCE OUTWARDLY APPEARS AS THOUGH HE IS DATG A MAN (ONLY HE AND TODDY KNOW THE TTH ABOUT VICTOR), HE GO THROUGH A MASCULE CRISIS WHERE HE IS FORCED TO RE-EVALUATE HIS VIEWS ON WHAT MAK A MAN A MAN. AFTER SOME MISSTEPS, WHICH CLU GETTG THE TAR BEAT OUT OF HIM AT A BAR, KG TO REALIZE THAT LOVE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT OTHERS MIGHT THK ABOUT YOU. VICTORIA EVENTUALLY MEETS KG HALFWAY, BUT HIS JOURNEY OF UNRSTANDG IS IMPRSIVELY FOLLOWED THROUGH TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS MAK FOR QUE A REVOLUTNARY MSAGE AND ONE THAT WAS ENORMOLY WELL-RECEIVED WHEN THE FILM WAS RELEASED 1982. THE MOVIE WAS NOMATED FOR SEVERAL OSRS (CLUDG BT ACTRS, BT SUPPORTG ACTOR AND BT SUPPORTG ACTRS) AND WALKED AWAY WH THE AWARDS FOR BT SONG AND SRE — AND WON THE FRENCH CAR FOR BT FOREIGN FILM. (CONSIRG THAT WAS AN AMERIN FILM ABOUT PARIS, THIS IS PRETTY AMAZG.) THE FILM LIKEWISE SRED A NUMBER OF GOLN GLOBE NOMATNS AND A W FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRIL RECEPTN TO THE FILM WAS QUE POSIVE. IN HIS REVIEW UPON THE FILM'S RELEASE, ROGER EBERT FOCED ON THE FILM'S GOOD NATURE, NOTG:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE THREE MOST DIFFICULT ROL BELONG TO PRTON, GARNER, AND KARRAS, WHO MT WALK A TIGHTROPE OF UNCERTA SEXUAL INTY WHOUT EVEN APPEARG TO NSCEND TO THEIR MATERIAL. THEY NEVER DO. BEE THEY ALL SEEM TO BE PEOPLE FIRST AND GENRS SEND, THEY SEE THE HUMOR THEIR BEWILRG SUATN AS QUICKLY AS ANYONE, AND THEIR CHEERFUL ABILY TO RISE TO A SERI OF IMPLSIBLE OCSNS MAK VICTOR/VICTORIA NOT ONLY A FUNNY MOVIE, BUT, UNEXPECTEDLY, A WARM AND IENDLY ONE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S QUE A FORWARD-THKG ASSSMENT OF WHAT SOME PEOPLE MIGHT NSIR A THROWAWAY MIL EDY. OTHER REVIEWS HAILED THE FILM AS EDWARDS' BT WORK: COSMOPOLAN LLED "A 10"; THE NEW REPUBLIC LLED "THE BT AMERIN FILM FARCE SCE SOME LIKE HOT"; NEW YORK TIM CRIC VCENT CANBY LLED EDWARDS' "CKEYED, CROWNG ACHIEVEMENT." MUCH WAS MA OF THE FACT THAT THE ACTORS — PRTON , PARTICULAR — MANAGED TO EMBODY THEIR CHARACTERS WH VALY WHOUT NSCENDG TO THEM OR TIPPG TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} HAD THE GREAT PLEASURE OF SPEAKG WH THE LOVELY AND TALENTED LLEY ANN WARREN ABOUT THE FILM, WHICH HAD AN ENORMO IMPACT ON HER REER AND CEMENTED HER AS A FAVORE FOR MANY GAY DIENCE MEMBERS. (BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR PANN PIECE FOR A FULL TERVIEW WH MS. WARREN ON HER LORFUL REER.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED WHETHER THE ST WAS AWARE DURG FILMG OF JT HOW REVOLUTNARY THE FILM WAS TERMS OF GAY VISIBILY, SHE RPOND, "I DON'T THK SO — CERTALY NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE. YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE THE MIDDLE OF CREATG SOMETHG, YOU'RE NOT THAT OUTSI OF . IN A WAY, 'S A VERY TROSPECTIVE PROCS. I HAD NO IA, FOR STANCE, THAT THAT ROLE WOULD HAVE SUCH AN IMPACT FOR ME THE BS — NO IA. AND I'M SURE THAT'S HOW WE ALL FELT ABOUT THE MOVIE AND S SOCLOGIL OR POLIL EXPLORATN TO GENR INTIFITN AND ALL THAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED HOW SHE FELT THE PRO-GAY AND PRO-TOLERANCE MSAG OF THE FILM GOT THERE THE FIRST PLACE, SHE'S NFINT THAT THE CRED ALL GO TO DIRECTOR BLAKE EDWARDS. "BLAKE AT THAT TIME HAD PLETE ARTISTIC NTROL," WARREN SAID. "HE REALLY ANSWERED TO NO ONE. I CERTALY WASN'T PRIVY TO THE CREATIVE NVERSATNS THAT HE WOULD HAVE AT THE STUD LEVEL, BUT I'M CERTA THAT HIS IMPRT AND HIS CISN-MAKG WAS PARAMOUNT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FILM WAS A HUGE BOON FOR WARREN'S REER, AND CEMENTED HER THE MDS OF MANY GAY FANS AS A FAVORE. BUT WHEN SHE FIRST SAW HER GAGA PERFORMANCE AS HISTRNIC CHOS GIRL NORMA, WARREN THOUGHT HER REER WAS DOOMED. "I CRIED FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS WHEN I SAW THE FIRST TIME," SHE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I THOUGHT, 'THIS IS THE END OF MY REER — THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE END OF MY REER.' I THOUGHT WAS JT, YOU KNOW, SO BIG AND SO BROAD — AND I WAS SO WRONG. AND WASN'T UNTIL I STARTED SEEG AT THE HUGE SCREENGS WHEN PEOPLE WOULD BE FALLG OVER THEMSELV WH LGHTER AT MY CHARACTER AND I THOUGHT, 'OK — I [AM] PLETELY WRONG HERE.' BUT THEN I'M GENERALLY WRONG ABOUT MY PERCEPTNS ABOUT MYSELF, I MT SAY!"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ROLE EARNED WARREN OSR AND GOLN GLOBE NOMATNS AND REVIGORATED HER REER, WHICH HAD BEEN LNCHED WHEN SHE PLAYED THE LEAD ROLE THE BELOVED MA-FOR-TELEVISN MOVIE CRELLA. BUT ALSO WAS A ROLE THAT MA GAY DIENC S UP AND TAKE NOTICE OF THE ACTRS, AND HAS LIKELY IMPACTED THE RT OF HER REER THAT SENSE AS WELL. IN RECENT YEARS, WARREN HAS BEEN VED TO MAKE APPEARANC ON WILL & GRACE, DPERATE HOEWIV AND OTHER GAY-PRODUCED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED WHY SHE FEELS THAT GAY DIENC HAVE RPOND TO HER AS AN ACTOR, SHE REPLIED: "CERTALY THE PERFORMANCE VICTOR/VICTORIA BEE IS SO WILDLY FEME — CRAZILY SO, THIS SORT OF LARGER-THAN-LIFE PERSONA THE AREA OF FEMALE POWER. THAT'S FELY ONE ASPECT. BUT I THK, BEE I'VE HEARD OM SO MANY GAY MEN ABOUT CRELLA, THAT 'S ALSO ABOUT THIS EP VULNERABILY, THIS BROKENNS, THIS KD OF SHATTERED QUALY THAT I RRIED FOR SO LONG — I THK 'S RELATABLE ON A VERY EP LEVEL. AND I THK THAT'S PART OF , TOO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VICTOR/VICTORIA MA A HUGE IMPACT ON THE REERS OF S ST AND CREW, AS WELL AS THE DIENCE WHO FLOCKED TO , MUCH OF WHICH WAS LIKELY MA UP OF GAY VIEWERS EPLY AFFECTED BY THE FILM'S MSAG OF UNRSTANDG AND HOPE. WARREN BELIEV THE FILM'S MSAGE WAS SO SUCCSFULLY NVEYED BEE WAS SEAMLSLY TEGRATED TO THE BRILLIANT EDY THAT DROVE THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE HUMOR ULD ALSO BE SIMPLY ENJOYED — IF YOU CHOSE TO NOT THK ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE ACTUALLY SEEG, YOU ULD JT ENJOY THE CKROACH THE RTRANT, YOU KNOW?" SHE POTED OUT. "JT THE BRILLIANT SLAPSTICK STUFF THAT WAS DONE SO PHENOMENALLY. THERE'S SO MUCH TO ENJOY ON SO MANY LEVELS — WAS A DISCERNG DIENCE MEMBER THAT ULD CHOOSE TO TAKE WHAT WAS REALLY ALG WH, HEAD-ON."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE YEAR 1982 WAS ACTUALLY A BIG ONE FOR HOLLYWOOD FILMS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALS AND SOCIETY'S PERCEPTNS ABOUT "GAY LIFTYL," BUT WHILE MAKG LOVE (RELEASED THE SAME MONTH), PERSONAL BT (WHICH EXPLORED LBIAN LOVE THE WORLD OF ATHLETICS) AND PARTNERS (A RATHER NSE EDY FEATURG A GAY SIKICK) ALL RAISED THE SUBJECT, ONLY VICTOR/VICTORIA WAS ABLE TO WOW CRICS AND DIENC ALIKE AND ACHIEVE BOX-OFFICE SUCCS. THE FILM GROSSED $28 LN THEATRILLY (NO SMALL SHAK FOR A MIL 1982) AND HAS SCE MA OVER $11 LN ON VIO. IT RECENTLY WAS GIVEN A WISCREEN DVD TRANSFER THAT ALLOWS NEW DIENC TO ENJOY THE FILM AS WAS ORIGALLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOVIE MILS HAVE ENJOYED A B OF A RURGENCE OF LATE, BUT VICTOR/VICTORIA STANDS AS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GENRE, BOTH TERMS OF GAY REPRENTATN AND SHEER BRILLIANCE EXECUTN. WHETHER YOU SAW THE FILM THEATERS BACK 1982 OR YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE READG THIS, YOU OWE TO YOURSELF TO SPEND SOME TIME WH VICTOR, TODDY, NORMA, BERNSTE AND KG MARCHAND. LEARNG A LSON OR TWO ABOUT UNRSTANDG AND THE UNPREDICTABILY OF LOVE IS SELDOM SO MUCH JAZZY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE ALREADY SOMEWHAT RIDICULO WORLD OF MIL EDI (LOVE THEM THOUGH WE MAY, THEY ARE UNNIABLY CUR CREATUR), BLAKE EDWARDS' 1982 ROMANTIC MIL FARCE VICTOR/VICTORIA IS BEYOND FASCATG — AND NOT SIMPLY FOR THE REASONS THAT ONE MIGHT EXPECT. SURE, THE CENTRAL STORY OF A DOWN-AND-OUT SGER WHO, WH THE HELP OF A GAY PYGMALN, ACHIEV STARDOM AS A FEMALE IMPERSONATOR 1930S PARIS IS BIZARRE ENOUGH AS IS. BUT THAT'S ONLY THE BEGNG OF WHAT MAK VICTOR/VICTORIA SUCH A REMARKABLE, HISTORY-MAKG {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF AMERIN CEMA, THE FILM HAS SURVIVED AS ONE OF THE MOST UNABASHEDLY GAY-POSIVE MOVI EVER MA BY A MAJOR STUD (MGM, THIS SE). EXACTLY 25 YEARS LATER, NO OTHER FILMS MATCH S BALANCE OF MASTREAM MARKETABILY AND UNFLAGGGLY PRO-GAY POSNG. WHEN SOMETHG EVEN REMOTELY AS SYMPATHETIC AS VICTOR/VICTORIA MAK S WAY ONTO BIG SCREENS (BROKEBACK MOUNTA, FOR EXAMPLE), 'S GHT WH NTROVERSY, SOMETHG THAT VICTOR MANAGED TO AVOID. ALL THE MORE REASON TO REVIS THE FILM — AND THE CIRCUMSTANC OM WHICH SO FABULOLY EMERGED — ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AFTER MAKG A STRG OF SEQUELS HIS SMASH PK PANTHER ANCHISE, DIRECTOR BLAKE EDWARDS TOOK A FEW YEARS TO LLABORATE WH HIS WIFE JULIE ANDREWS. THE FILMS THEY MA TOGETHER WERE 10 (STARRG DUDLEY MOORE), S.O.B. ( WHICH ANDREWS FAMOLY BARED HER BREASTS) AND FALLY — AND MOST FAMOLY — VICTOR/{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}BASED ON A 1933 GERMAN FILM, VICTOR/VICTORIA TAILS THE RISE AND FALL OF EUROPE'S MOST CELEBRATED DRAG PERFORMER, WHO HAPPENS TO BE A WOMAN PRETENDG TO BE A MAN PRETENDG TO BE A WOMAN. COUNT VICTOR GREZHSKI IS ACTUALLY STGGLG SGER VICTORIA GRANT WHO, UNR THE GUIDANCE OF BARET PERFORMER AND PROMOTER CARROLL "TODDY" TODD (ROBERT PRTON), TRAS HER WOMANHOOD FOR A SHOT AT STARDOM. BUT WHEN VICTORIA FALLS FOR NIGHTCLUB OWNER KG MARCHAND (JAM GARNER), WHO ALREADY HAS HIS HANDS FULL WH HIS DZY GIRLIEND NORMA (LLEY ANN WARREN) AND BODYGUARD (ALEX KARRAS), SHE MT CI WHETHER TO KEEP UP THE ACT OR FOLLOW HER {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S A PLITED PLOT, FOR SURE. BUT WHILE THE FILM'S CHE-BOX NCEPT AND OPULENT EXECUTN ARE DAZZLG, S MOST IMPRSIVE ATTRIBUTE IS S OVERWHELMGLY POSIVE ATTUS ABOUT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FILM'S UNAPOLOGETIC OPENG SHOTS ARE OF TODDY AND ANOTHER MAN BED, TABLISHG IMMEDIATELY THAT THE FILM IS NOT GOG TO PSYFOOT AROUND S GAY NTENT. IT SEEMS THAT TODDY IS UNLUCKY LOVE AND THAT THE YOUNGER FELLOW IS JT A GOLD-DIGGG D, AND OM THE BEGNG MOMENTS 'S CLEAR THAT THIS PLUCKY YET SOMEWHAT SAD, OLR GAY MAN WILL BE OUR GUI THROUGH THE RT OF THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}ACTOR ROBERT PRTON, ALTHOUGH A SONG-AND-DANCE MAN, IS A BROAD-SHOULRED, BARONE-VOICED ONE; HE'S AN ODD CHOICE TO PLAY SUCH A FLAMBOYANT ROLE, AND THAT'S PARTLY WHY WORKS SO WELL. TODDY IS ONE OF THE MOST OUT LOUD, OUT-AND-PROUD CHARACTERS EVER SEEN A MAJOR STUD FILM, AND HE MANAG TO BE SO WHOUT FALLG PREY TO MANY OF THE STEREOTYP ABOUT GAY MEN THAT LTER THE CEMA. IT'S NO SMALL FEAT, PECIALLY NSIRG THAT THE FILM WAS MA AN ERA WHEN GAY VISIBILY MOVI WAS JT BEGNG TO FD S {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TODDY'S SEXUALY IS DISCSED OPENLY AND ANKLY WHEN HE MEETS JULIE ANDREWS' VICTORIA (AFTER A HILAR RTRANT SCENE VOLVG AN UNOPERATIVE CKROACH). WHEN SHE ASKS HIM HOW LONG HE'S KNOWN THAT HE IS GAY, HE UNTERS, "HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN YOU WERE A SOPRANO?" THE TWO BOND STANTLY AND SOON ENOUGH HATCH THE PLOT TO REVENT VICTORIA AS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}SCE THE STORY TAK PLACE THE BTLG WORLD OF PARIS NIGHT LIFE (WHICH FEELS A B MORE LIKE 1930S BERL, LIKELY DUE TO THE SOURCE MATERIAL), THERE ARE PLENTY OF GAY CHARACTERS LG ABOUT, OM DRAG QUEENS TO BUTCH LBIANS TO CHOS BOYS TO BCHY PHOTOGRAPHERS. WHILE SOME OF THEM ARE A B THEATRIL, THIS IS ABOUT THE BARET, AFTER ALL. THROUGHOUT THE FILM, EVERY POSSIBLE OPPORTUNY IS TAKEN TO PRENT NTRASTG IMAG OF GAY PEOPLE AND GAY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOST NOTABLE IS THE FACT THAT AFTER MISTAKENLY BELIEVG THAT HIS BOSS, KG MARCHAND, IS GAY (DUE TO HIS BURGEONG AFFAIR WH VICTORIA, WHOM EVERYONE ELSE STILL THKS IS A MAN), BODYGUARD "SQUASH" BERNSTE (PLAYED BY FORMER PRO FOOTBALL PLAYER KARRAS) OUT OF THE CLOSET AND SOON BE VOLVED WH TODDY. WHEN KG ASKS HIM ABOUT HIS SEXUALY, WHICH SURPRIS HIM, BERNSTE NOT THAT HIS TOUGH-GUY IMAGE WAS A WAY TO STOP PEOPLE OM ASKG QUTNS, AND THEN POTS OUT THAT THE CURRENT FRENCH BOXG CHAMP IS ALSO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}EVEN KG HIMSELF GO THROUGH A JOURNEY OF SEXUAL INTY OF SORTS. SCE OUTWARDLY APPEARS AS THOUGH HE IS DATG A MAN (ONLY HE AND TODDY KNOW THE TTH ABOUT VICTOR), HE GO THROUGH A MASCULE CRISIS WHERE HE IS FORCED TO RE-EVALUATE HIS VIEWS ON WHAT MAK A MAN A MAN. AFTER SOME MISSTEPS, WHICH CLU GETTG THE TAR BEAT OUT OF HIM AT A BAR, KG TO REALIZE THAT LOVE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT OTHERS MIGHT THK ABOUT YOU. VICTORIA EVENTUALLY MEETS KG HALFWAY, BUT HIS JOURNEY OF UNRSTANDG IS IMPRSIVELY FOLLOWED THROUGH TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS MAK FOR QUE A REVOLUTNARY MSAGE AND ONE THAT WAS ENORMOLY WELL-RECEIVED WHEN THE FILM WAS RELEASED 1982. THE MOVIE WAS NOMATED FOR SEVERAL OSRS (CLUDG BT ACTRS, BT SUPPORTG ACTOR AND BT SUPPORTG ACTRS) AND WALKED AWAY WH THE AWARDS FOR BT SONG AND SRE — AND WON THE FRENCH CAR FOR BT FOREIGN FILM. (CONSIRG THAT WAS AN AMERIN FILM ABOUT PARIS, THIS IS PRETTY AMAZG.) THE FILM LIKEWISE SRED A NUMBER OF GOLN GLOBE NOMATNS AND A W FOR {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}CRIL RECEPTN TO THE FILM WAS QUE POSIVE. IN HIS REVIEW UPON THE FILM'S RELEASE, ROGER EBERT FOCED ON THE FILM'S GOOD NATURE, NOTG:{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE THREE MOST DIFFICULT ROL BELONG TO PRTON, GARNER, AND KARRAS, WHO MT WALK A TIGHTROPE OF UNCERTA SEXUAL INTY WHOUT EVEN APPEARG TO NSCEND TO THEIR MATERIAL. THEY NEVER DO. BEE THEY ALL SEEM TO BE PEOPLE FIRST AND GENRS SEND, THEY SEE THE HUMOR THEIR BEWILRG SUATN AS QUICKLY AS ANYONE, AND THEIR CHEERFUL ABILY TO RISE TO A SERI OF IMPLSIBLE OCSNS MAK VICTOR/VICTORIA NOT ONLY A FUNNY MOVIE, BUT, UNEXPECTEDLY, A WARM AND IENDLY ONE."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}IT'S QUE A FORWARD-THKG ASSSMENT OF WHAT SOME PEOPLE MIGHT NSIR A THROWAWAY MIL EDY. OTHER REVIEWS HAILED THE FILM AS EDWARDS' BT WORK: COSMOPOLAN LLED "A 10"; THE NEW REPUBLIC LLED "THE BT AMERIN FILM FARCE SCE SOME LIKE HOT"; NEW YORK TIM CRIC VCENT CANBY LLED EDWARDS' "CKEYED, CROWNG ACHIEVEMENT." MUCH WAS MA OF THE FACT THAT THE ACTORS — PRTON , PARTICULAR — MANAGED TO EMBODY THEIR CHARACTERS WH VALY WHOUT NSCENDG TO THEM OR TIPPG TO {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;} HAD THE GREAT PLEASURE OF SPEAKG WH THE LOVELY AND TALENTED LLEY ANN WARREN ABOUT THE FILM, WHICH HAD AN ENORMO IMPACT ON HER REER AND CEMENTED HER AS A FAVORE FOR MANY GAY DIENCE MEMBERS. (BE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR PANN PIECE FOR A FULL TERVIEW WH MS. WARREN ON HER LORFUL REER.){BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED WHETHER THE ST WAS AWARE DURG FILMG OF JT HOW REVOLUTNARY THE FILM WAS TERMS OF GAY VISIBILY, SHE RPOND, "I DON'T THK SO — CERTALY NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE. YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE THE MIDDLE OF CREATG SOMETHG, YOU'RE NOT THAT OUTSI OF . IN A WAY, 'S A VERY TROSPECTIVE PROCS. I HAD NO IA, FOR STANCE, THAT THAT ROLE WOULD HAVE SUCH AN IMPACT FOR ME THE BS — NO IA. AND I'M SURE THAT'S HOW WE ALL FELT ABOUT THE MOVIE AND S SOCLOGIL OR POLIL EXPLORATN TO GENR INTIFITN AND ALL THAT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED HOW SHE FELT THE PRO-GAY AND PRO-TOLERANCE MSAG OF THE FILM GOT THERE THE FIRST PLACE, SHE'S NFINT THAT THE CRED ALL GO TO DIRECTOR BLAKE EDWARDS. "BLAKE AT THAT TIME HAD PLETE ARTISTIC NTROL," WARREN SAID. "HE REALLY ANSWERED TO NO ONE. I CERTALY WASN'T PRIVY TO THE CREATIVE NVERSATNS THAT HE WOULD HAVE AT THE STUD LEVEL, BUT I'M CERTA THAT HIS IMPRT AND HIS CISN-MAKG WAS PARAMOUNT."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE FILM WAS A HUGE BOON FOR WARREN'S REER, AND CEMENTED HER THE MDS OF MANY GAY FANS AS A FAVORE. BUT WHEN SHE FIRST SAW HER GAGA PERFORMANCE AS HISTRNIC CHOS GIRL NORMA, WARREN THOUGHT HER REER WAS DOOMED. "I CRIED FOR ABOUT FOUR HOURS WHEN I SAW THE FIRST TIME," SHE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"I THOUGHT, 'THIS IS THE END OF MY REER — THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE END OF MY REER.' I THOUGHT WAS JT, YOU KNOW, SO BIG AND SO BROAD — AND I WAS SO WRONG. AND WASN'T UNTIL I STARTED SEEG AT THE HUGE SCREENGS WHEN PEOPLE WOULD BE FALLG OVER THEMSELV WH LGHTER AT MY CHARACTER AND I THOUGHT, 'OK — I [AM] PLETELY WRONG HERE.' BUT THEN I'M GENERALLY WRONG ABOUT MY PERCEPTNS ABOUT MYSELF, I MT SAY!"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE ROLE EARNED WARREN OSR AND GOLN GLOBE NOMATNS AND REVIGORATED HER REER, WHICH HAD BEEN LNCHED WHEN SHE PLAYED THE LEAD ROLE THE BELOVED MA-FOR-TELEVISN MOVIE CRELLA. BUT ALSO WAS A ROLE THAT MA GAY DIENC S UP AND TAKE NOTICE OF THE ACTRS, AND HAS LIKELY IMPACTED THE RT OF HER REER THAT SENSE AS WELL. IN RECENT YEARS, WARREN HAS BEEN VED TO MAKE APPEARANC ON WILL & GRACE, DPERATE HOEWIV AND OTHER GAY-PRODUCED {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}WHEN ASKED WHY SHE FEELS THAT GAY DIENC HAVE RPOND TO HER AS AN ACTOR, SHE REPLIED: "CERTALY THE PERFORMANCE VICTOR/VICTORIA BEE IS SO WILDLY FEME — CRAZILY SO, THIS SORT OF LARGER-THAN-LIFE PERSONA THE AREA OF FEMALE POWER. THAT'S FELY ONE ASPECT. BUT I THK, BEE I'VE HEARD OM SO MANY GAY MEN ABOUT CRELLA, THAT 'S ALSO ABOUT THIS EP VULNERABILY, THIS BROKENNS, THIS KD OF SHATTERED QUALY THAT I RRIED FOR SO LONG — I THK 'S RELATABLE ON A VERY EP LEVEL. AND I THK THAT'S PART OF , TOO."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}VICTOR/VICTORIA MA A HUGE IMPACT ON THE REERS OF S ST AND CREW, AS WELL AS THE DIENCE WHO FLOCKED TO , MUCH OF WHICH WAS LIKELY MA UP OF GAY VIEWERS EPLY AFFECTED BY THE FILM'S MSAG OF UNRSTANDG AND HOPE. WARREN BELIEV THE FILM'S MSAGE WAS SO SUCCSFULLY NVEYED BEE WAS SEAMLSLY TEGRATED TO THE BRILLIANT EDY THAT DROVE THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}"THE HUMOR ULD ALSO BE SIMPLY ENJOYED — IF YOU CHOSE TO NOT THK ABOUT WHAT YOU WERE ACTUALLY SEEG, YOU ULD JT ENJOY THE CKROACH THE RTRANT, YOU KNOW?" SHE POTED OUT. "JT THE BRILLIANT SLAPSTICK STUFF THAT WAS DONE SO PHENOMENALLY. THERE'S SO MUCH TO ENJOY ON SO MANY LEVELS — WAS A DISCERNG DIENCE MEMBER THAT ULD CHOOSE TO TAKE WHAT WAS REALLY ALG WH, HEAD-ON."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THE YEAR 1982 WAS ACTUALLY A BIG ONE FOR HOLLYWOOD FILMS ABOUT HOMOSEXUALS AND SOCIETY'S PERCEPTNS ABOUT "GAY LIFTYL," BUT WHILE MAKG LOVE (RELEASED THE SAME MONTH), PERSONAL BT (WHICH EXPLORED LBIAN LOVE THE WORLD OF ATHLETICS) AND PARTNERS (A RATHER NSE EDY FEATURG A GAY SIKICK) ALL RAISED THE SUBJECT, ONLY VICTOR/VICTORIA WAS ABLE TO WOW CRICS AND DIENC ALIKE AND ACHIEVE BOX-OFFICE SUCCS. THE FILM GROSSED $28 LN THEATRILLY (NO SMALL SHAK FOR A MIL 1982) AND HAS SCE MA OVER $11 LN ON VIO. IT RECENTLY WAS GIVEN A WISCREEN DVD TRANSFER THAT ALLOWS NEW DIENC TO ENJOY THE FILM AS WAS ORIGALLY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}MOVIE MILS HAVE ENJOYED A B OF A RURGENCE OF LATE, BUT VICTOR/VICTORIA STANDS AS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GENRE, BOTH TERMS OF GAY REPRENTATN AND SHEER BRILLIANCE EXECUTN. WHETHER YOU SAW THE FILM THEATERS BACK 1982 OR YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF BEFORE READG THIS, YOU OWE TO YOURSELF TO SPEND SOME TIME WH VICTOR, TODDY, NORMA, BERNSTE AND KG MARCHAND. LEARNG A LSON OR TWO ABOUT UNRSTANDG AND THE UNPREDICTABILY OF LOVE IS SELDOM SO MUCH JAZZY {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}THE {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

Said obuary gave Edwards cred for a “matter-of-fact treatment of gayns” the 1982 farce Victor/Victoria, and menter Roy rpond “Edwards never did get gay humor right, though he kept tryg and failg. No gay person n watch Victor/Victoria whout crgg.

This is barely a character, and certaly not a gay character eher; rather, they are a blon woman who tells Mart Balsam a party scene that she lls herself “Irvg. For those who don’t remember the tim when brgg a gay or gay-d character on screen a Hollywood picture uldn’t be done whout at least an acpanyg whiff of disapproval or nscensn, the way Edwards (who was also behd the credibly popular Pk Panther edi starrg Peter Sellers) was gay-iendly hardly seems earth shakg.

In his now-notor pursu-of-Bo-Derek edy Ten, he gave Dudley Moore’s lead character a gay bt iend whout makg a big al, or any kd of al of . In SOB, his still-unique middle-fger to Hollywood hypocrisy (bt known for the scene which fay-iendly Julie Andrews, Edwards’ longtime llaborator and wife, go topls — ’s very meta), Robert Prton plays a gay physician beloved by all his Tseltown croni, and not jt bee of his liberal distributn of Vam B-12 shots.

VICTOR/VICTORIA (1982) - (MOVIE CLIP) GAY PAREE

In Victor/Victoria, which followed SOB, which was released forty years ago this month, nsummate showperson Prton played gay aga, as Carroll “Toddy” Todd, a Paris entertaer 1934. Toddy’s gayns is bluntly signaled the movie’s openg, showg him bed wh a (younger) man, a gigolo of sorts (played by Mallm Jamion). Toddy is an arguable cliché, the olr gay man wh an unfulfilled love life.

The tly progrsive si of the film was s gay-iendls, not s exploratn of genr rol. The gay theme is transferred: turns out that Kg’s iend and bodyguard Squash, played by oime profsnal football player Alex Karras, is the one who is attracted to actual men.