Cruising the Movies

Latest Episodes:

Episode 27: William Higgins's THE BOYS OF VENICE (1978) Jul 23, 2021

Show notes

We're back! This week we're kicking off our second season by taking in the sights and studs of sunny California with William Higgins's THE BOYS OF VENICE. Taking the form of a sexual travelogue, THE BOYS OF VENICE was truly a breakthrough film that helped usher in a new look and style that would come to dominate the all-male screen for years to come — and introduce a new stable of superstar performers including Kip Noll, Eric Ryan, Derrick Stanton, and Scott Taylor.

Over the course of the episode, we'll dive into William Higgins' Texan background, discuss the roller disco craze that played heavily into the film's advertising, and cringe over what has to be one of the most perilous sex scenes of the era — performed entirely on roller skates… you know, as you do.

Episode 26: Rob Simple's AMERICAN CREAM (1972) Jul 02, 2021

Show notes

This week on the podcast, we're getting patriotic — or are we? — with a look at Rob Simple's 1972 film, AMERICAN CREAM. A satirical deconstruction of masculinity told in three unrelated loops, AMERICAN CREAM is among the stranger films to emerge from the early years of the genre.

Over the course of this episode, we'll talk about the film's roots in experimental theatre, its (not so) mysterious creator, and how it actually managed to kill the power at Carnegie Hall. Also: we celebrate our one-year anniversary, reflecting on what we've learned in the 25+ films covered so far.

Episode 25: Ignatio Rutkowski's NIGHTS IN BLACK LEATHER (1973) Jun 18, 2021

Show notes

Tanned, sinewy, aloof — a few adjectives that only begin to describe Peter Berlin, the enigmatic star of Ignatio Rutkowski's 1973 film NIGHTS IN BLACK LEATHER. Described as "combining the camp machismo of the leather set and [Berlin's] own sense of comedy" by Foxylady magazine, NIGHTS IN BLACK LEATHER takes us on a sexual travelogue of San Francisco with our Teutonic lead star as guide. Dressed to the nines in his trademark taut leather look, Berlin's romp through honky-tonk S/M bars, the wooded areas of San Francisco, and a party populated with drag queens helped establish the first-timer as a bonafide star.

In this week's episode, we discuss the the self-created personality and mythos surrounding Peter Berlin. We also touch on the influence of San Francisco's S/M scene and Berlin's own initial apathy towards his debut film.

Episode 24: Arch Brown's LOVE THY NEIGHBOR (1974) + Zachary Youngblood's CELEBRATION (1982) Jun 04, 2021

Show notes

Happy Pride! We're kicking off June with a double-header: Arch Brown's LOVE THY NEIGHBOR (1974) and Zachary Youngblood's CELEBRATION (1978/1982). Although neither of these films may be a classic of the genre, both include vital footage of early Pride parades in New York City and San Francisco, pieces of queer life in 70s that you simply can't find anywhere else. We consider what makes Pride such a great setting for gay porn, discuss the importance of sound editing in both sex and non-sex scenes — and consider literally two of the most head-scratchingly bizarre sex scenes we've ever encountered on film (and that's saying a lot).

Towards the end of the episode, our attention turns toward a really enraging recent development: eBay's decision to end its "Adults Only" section. We talk about how eBay is hiding behind credit card company profits in the name of "protecting consumers," how this is effectively another act of queer erasure — and what you can do and watch in this revival of the Tipper Gore era.

Episode 23: Jason Sato's BROTHERS (1973) May 21, 2021

Show notes

"It began at an airport…" This week on the show — and themed around the Memorial Day holiday — we present Jason Sato and Nick Eliot's 1973 drama, BROTHERS. The film explores the relationship between homosexual Vince, and his younger — and straight — brother Rick, who has just returned home on leave from Vietnam. Plagued by "ugly thoughts on his mind", Vince finds himself struggling to deal with a love that dare not speak its name.

Over the course of this episode, we'll dive into the UCLA Film School's contributions to the adult film world, the acclaimed and pioneering video work of its creators, and some insight on the depiction of the Vietnam War in gay films.

Episode 22: Joe Gage's KANSAS CITY TRUCKING CO. (1976) May 07, 2021

Show notes

"Have you ever wondered about truckers… or about how men get it on… with each other?" asks the trailer for KANSAS CITY TRUCKING CO., Joe Gage's 1976 story of a straight trucker whose consciousness is raised on his first cross-country haul to Los Angeles. A truly landmark film, KANSAS CITY TRUCKING CO. had a seismic impact on gay male visual and sexual culture, establishing a new vision of blue collar masculinity virtually overnight — along with a pair of new icons to go with it.

Over the course of this episode, we'll dig into the film's genesis and genre roots, the exciting audio process known as SurrounduSound; and the promotional blitz that introduced the world to the Gage Men.

Episode 21: PAT ROCCO DARES (1969) Apr 23, 2021

Show notes

In June 1968, Los Angeles' Park Theatre held the world's first gay film festival. Mixed in the usual works by figures like Kenneth Anger, Jack Smith, and Andy Milligan was a new name: Pat Rocco. Though he'd only started making films that year, Rocco would quickly become the vanguard of a new, openly-gay film movement and a crucial figure in the history of gay liberation.

This week on the show, we're taking a look at Rocco's fourth theatrical film program, PAT ROCCO DARES. Consisting of a number of cinematic 'dares' and firsts — including, most famously, a nude ballet shot on the Hollywood Freeway — DARES found Rocco testing and pushing the limits of what could be seen on the screen and done in public.

Episode 20: Steve Scott's PERFORMANCE (1981) Apr 09, 2021

Show notes

This week on the show we're taking it to the stage with "the all-male hit of 1981," Steve Scott's PERFORMANCE. Featuring a bevy of West Coast superstars and up-and-comers, PERFORMANCE follows the planning and production of an all-male burlesk extravaganza, culminating with Nick Rodgers' unforgettable (and absurd) KISS strip routine.

Over the course of the episode, we'll dig into America's strange obsession with male strippers, the backstories of each of the performers, and the unexpected things you find on VHS tapes.

Episode 19: Arch Brown's THE NIGHT BEFORE (1973) Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

This week on the podcast, we're taking a look at the sole big-budget feature from the filmmaker Christopher Rage once described as being "the man who practically invented gay porn," Arch Brown. THE NIGHT BEFORE tells the story of Hank, a slacker with no real ambition in life other than to meet all the interesting people in New York City. And that he does — or does he? — when he runs into Paul one day in Central Park.

Over the course of the episode, we'll dive into Arch Brown's background, this film's role in the development of Hand in Hand Films, and whether or not it's actually possible for a dildo to go into a butt, come out of a mouth, then go into another mouth, and then come out the other butt.

Episode 18: Fred Halsted's L.A. PLAYS ITSELF (1972) Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

This week on the podcast, we're finally taking a look at the film that set the gay world on fire: Fred Halsted's L.A. PLAYS ITSELF. Described by its creator as a sort of 'confessional yin-and-yang,' the film's highly controversial emphasis on sadomasochism and ambivalent tone drew as much condemnation as it did applause, making Halsted a legitimate gay icon virtually overnight.

Over the course of our discussion we'll dive into Halsted's backstory, the role that astrology had in the film's production, and its incendiary New York premiere.

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