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Before Stonewall
- Director: Greta Schiller; Robert Rosenberg
- Producer: Robert Rosenberg; John Scagliotti
CGiii Comment
The commentary is migraine inducing.
The subject is lesbian-centric - a more balanced account would have been preferable.
The usual accounts of military service, McCarthy, the civil movement all contribute to the bore factor. But, bear in mind when this was made - now, it is an historical testament to those who are no longer with us - it's their story.
The archival material is fascinating to watch - however, it is not an in depth investigation - just a summary of a time gone by.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
New York City's Stonewall Inn is regarded by many as the site of gay and lesbian liberation since it was at this bar that drag queens fought back against police June 27-28, 1969. This documentary uses extensive archival film, movie clips and personal recollections to construct an audiovisual history of the gay community before the Stonewall riots.
Cast & Characters
Rita Mae Brown as Narrator;
Ann Bannon as Herself;
Lisa Ben as Herself;
Gladys Bentley as Herself;
George Buse as Himself - newspaper reporter, former Army Chaplain;
Carroll Davis as Himself - performer;
Allen Ginsberg as Himself;
Barbara Gittings as Herself;
Barbara Grier as Herself - publisher;
Mabel Hampton as Herself - dancer, former domestic worker;
Evelyn Hooker as Herself;
Jim Kepner as Himself - gay archivist;
Audre Lorde as Herself;
Bruce Nugent as Himself - artist and writer;
Henry Otis as Himself - former dancer