The Celluloid Closet

A rare treat and a potential revelation for movie buffs of every persuasion. When Vito Russo's The Celluloid Closet was published in 1981, its comprehensive compendium of gay stereotypes and subterfuges in movie history -- delivered with ruefully biting wit -- was groundbreaking. In 1996 it's old hat. That quibble aside, this film has one glorious asset Russo's book lacked: clips, clips and more clips. DRACULA'S DAUGHTER seducing a dewy young model. Jane Russell trying to vamp a gym full of curiously aloof bodybuilders in GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES. Laurence Olivier putting the moves on hunky slave boy Tony Curtis in SPARTACUS. Harry Hamlin and Michael Ontkean...