Suddenly, Last Summer (film)
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| Year Released: | 1960 |
| MPAA Rating (USA): | Unrated |
| Director: | Joseph L. Mankiewicz |
| Starring: | Elizabeth Taylor as Catherine Holly Katharine Hepburn as Mrs Venable Montgomery Clift as Dr Cukrowicz |
Suddenly, Last Summer was originally a one-act play by Tennessee Williams which was made into a film in 1959 from a screenplay written by Gore Vidal ("who was present at the community forum which was organized by the guys who went on to found NAMBLA").[1] While the film is often described as gay themed, it has elements of boylove (pedosexuality), which was not commonly differentiated from homosexuality in the 1950’s and 1960’s.
"Suddenly, Last Summer was the third of Williams' plays to be adapted for the screen that dealt with the subject of homosexuality, although it was far more explicit in its treatment than either of the previous films were allowed to be under the Motion Picture Production Code. Working in conjunction with the National Legion of Decency, an organization primarily affiliated with Catholic Church, the Production Code Administration gave the filmmakers special dispensation to depict Sebastian Venable, declaring, "Since the film illustrates the horrors of such a lifestyle, it can be considered moral in theme even though it deals with sexual perversion."[2] While such a statement may seem shocking in light of the current treatment of homosexuality in film, it illustrates the prejudices of the era as well as the evolution of popular views on sexuality.
Plot
Each day we would carve each day like a piece of sculpture,
leaving behind us a trail of days like a gallery of sculpture
until suddenly, last summer.
Mrs. Venable (Katharine Hepburn ) tells of a visit to Galapagos Islands with Sebastian. They watched when the baby turtles hatch and they are devoured by hords of birds in the sky while they are dashing for safety into the sea. In this, Sebastian sees the face of God.
References
- ↑ http://www.boychat.org/messages/1337607.htm
- ↑ Hadleigh, B. (2001). The Lavender Screen: The Gay and Lesbian Films—Their Stars, Makers, Characters, and Critics (Rev. ed.). New York City, NY: Citadel Press. ISBN 978-0-8065-2199-2.
