The Leather Boys (1964) -
This film really wasn't that gay at all, so if you're tuning in to see an early example of homo-loving on screen, don't waste your time.
Apart from the subtle homoerotic undertones, which were far too subtle for my tastes, the story wasn't actually that good and the way that it was produced didn't work for me either. And I also couldn't imagine that petrol heads would have found much to enjoy in it, because the bikes weren't exactly a star feature to claim that was the point of the film either.
It was clear to see that a lot of the dialogue had been improvised, because at times they were just talking all over each other and it was a bit cacophonous as a result, not to mention that the banter was all a bit amateur and lame as well.
For some reason Reg and Dot had a weird way of talking through their teeth in a nasally way that was off putting too.
Initially it appeared that Reg (Colin Campbell) had only married Dot (Rita Tushingham) for one thing and once he'd got that he'd lost interest. Perhaps he realised that she did nothing for him, because she certainly didn't do anything for me. Even if I was straight I'd find it hard to be attracted to her brattish, over the top and selfish behaviour.
With that said he wasn't exactly Prince Charming, but I did think that she was the worst, with her big ideas and no contribution to the marriage except a tin of beans every night. With that dodgy haircut she also looked like Big Bird from 'Sesame Street' (1969-) and actually it felt a bit like Susan Boyle in the 'I Know Him So Well' comic relief music video where Subo's hair just got bigger and bigger throughout.
Donald Sutton as Pete was incredibly weird as well. I couldn't tell what he was trying to achieve with his performance, whether he was trying to be American, gay, on drugs or just a bit psychotic? There were times when he was clearly a bit camp too, although I'm not sure that was deliberate. I knew what he was hoping for from Reg, because that's what I'd actually tuned in to see, but the still from the production where the two men are sharing a bed was just that. It was purely that they both needed somewhere to sleep and Reg at least had no thoughts that it might lead to something more.
Perhaps I expected too much from a film of the 1960's?
The characters in general were all a bit affected and that freedom of speech that they had didn't help to give any of them definition, but actually made it feel very unprofessional, as if it was utilising the worst of the D, E or F list celebrities.
I did think that it was almost as if they were trying to say that Pete had come between Reg and Dot, with his evil homo ways, but I firmly believed that their marriage was doomed before that and was never going to last. I defy anyone to say that they fancied Dot and would have wanted to spend their "Til Death Do They Part" with her.
I was convinced that Reg would have been better off as a permanent bachelor living with his Nan.
Not a well put together film and it didn't really push the boundaries enough to make it an important piece in the annuls of queer cinema for me. Maybe if I had been around in 1964 I would have appreciated the minimal referencing to my lifestyle, but even then the guys they showed in the pub at the end wouldn't have been my thing.
Promise and premise undelivered.
359.79/1000.
This film really wasn't that gay at all, so if you're tuning in to see an early example of homo-loving on screen, don't waste your time.
Apart from the subtle homoerotic undertones, which were far too subtle for my tastes, the story wasn't actually that good and the way that it was produced didn't work for me either. And I also couldn't imagine that petrol heads would have found much to enjoy in it, because the bikes weren't exactly a star feature to claim that was the point of the film either.
It was clear to see that a lot of the dialogue had been improvised, because at times they were just talking all over each other and it was a bit cacophonous as a result, not to mention that the banter was all a bit amateur and lame as well.
For some reason Reg and Dot had a weird way of talking through their teeth in a nasally way that was off putting too.
Initially it appeared that Reg (Colin Campbell) had only married Dot (Rita Tushingham) for one thing and once he'd got that he'd lost interest. Perhaps he realised that she did nothing for him, because she certainly didn't do anything for me. Even if I was straight I'd find it hard to be attracted to her brattish, over the top and selfish behaviour.
With that said he wasn't exactly Prince Charming, but I did think that she was the worst, with her big ideas and no contribution to the marriage except a tin of beans every night. With that dodgy haircut she also looked like Big Bird from 'Sesame Street' (1969-) and actually it felt a bit like Susan Boyle in the 'I Know Him So Well' comic relief music video where Subo's hair just got bigger and bigger throughout.
Donald Sutton as Pete was incredibly weird as well. I couldn't tell what he was trying to achieve with his performance, whether he was trying to be American, gay, on drugs or just a bit psychotic? There were times when he was clearly a bit camp too, although I'm not sure that was deliberate. I knew what he was hoping for from Reg, because that's what I'd actually tuned in to see, but the still from the production where the two men are sharing a bed was just that. It was purely that they both needed somewhere to sleep and Reg at least had no thoughts that it might lead to something more.
Perhaps I expected too much from a film of the 1960's?
The characters in general were all a bit affected and that freedom of speech that they had didn't help to give any of them definition, but actually made it feel very unprofessional, as if it was utilising the worst of the D, E or F list celebrities.
I did think that it was almost as if they were trying to say that Pete had come between Reg and Dot, with his evil homo ways, but I firmly believed that their marriage was doomed before that and was never going to last. I defy anyone to say that they fancied Dot and would have wanted to spend their "Til Death Do They Part" with her.
I was convinced that Reg would have been better off as a permanent bachelor living with his Nan.
Not a well put together film and it didn't really push the boundaries enough to make it an important piece in the annuls of queer cinema for me. Maybe if I had been around in 1964 I would have appreciated the minimal referencing to my lifestyle, but even then the guys they showed in the pub at the end wouldn't have been my thing.
Promise and premise undelivered.
359.79/1000.
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