The Boys in the Band

1970
R
2h

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

6.1K

YOUR RATING

Play trailer2:41

4 Videos

32 Photos

Dark Comedy Drama

Tempers fray and true selves are revealed when a heterosexual accidentally intrudes on a homosexual party.Tempers fray and true selves are revealed when a heterosexual accidentally intrudes on a homosexual party.Tempers fray and true selves are revealed when a heterosexual accidentally intrudes on a homosexual party.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.6/10

6.1K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 4 nominations total

Videos4

Trailer 2:41

Trailer

Clip 5:20

Unsung Heroes of LGBTQ+ Film History

Clip 5:20

Unsung Heroes of LGBTQ+ Film History

Photos32

+ 25

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Stars all of the same actors from the original play. Producer/author Mart Crowley insisted that the entire original cast of the off-Broadway production be used in the film.

Goofs
The telephone in the living room is a 1A2 model for multiple lines with a hold function. Michael has at least 2 lines as noted in the action. The line cord to the phone is a standard cord for single-line phones. The 1A2 requires a larger line cord with more pairs of wires to operate both lines, lights on the phone and the hold function.

Quotes
Michael: You're stoned and you're late. You were supposed to arrive at this location at eight thirty dash nine o'clock.
Harold: What I am, Michael, is a 32 year-old, ugly, pock marked Jew fairy, and if it takes me a little while to pull myself together, and if I smoke a little grass before I get up the nerve to show my face to the world, it's nobody's god-damned business but my own. And how are you this evening?

Alternate versions
TV prints are 11 minutes shorter than the theatrical release and are redubbed and re-edited to remove all objectionable dialogue.

Connections
Featured in Sneak Previews: Changing Attitude Toward Homosexuality in Movies (1982)

Soundtracks
Anything Goes
Written by Cole Porter (uncredited)
Performed by Harpers Bizarre

User reviews90

Review

Featured review

8/10

A Milestone In "Queer Cinema"

I can watch this film over & over. I find some Gay men dismiss it because it makes them feel uncomfortable. I embrace it because I can relate to it. As far as it being "dated", how can it not be in some ways?? It was filmed in 1970! The characters & situations are universal & timeless: Who doesn't know a mean drunk? Who hasn't laughed at & with a loud boisterous friend? Who hasn't felt imprisoned by a relationship? etc. These are people & things that we've all dealt with & faced, whether you're straight or gay. My favorite scene in the film is when they start dancing to a Motown classic. A bunch of old friends remembering younger days on Fire Island. It's bittersweet & poignant.