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The Boys in the Band

Book Vs. Movie: The Boys in the Band 

The  1968 Play Vs. the 1970 & the 2020 Films

The Boys in the Band (1970) & (2020) Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Mart Crowley, & William Friedkin – Book Vs Movie Podcast

Book Vs. Movie: The Boys in the Band The 1968 Play Vs. the 1970 & the 2020 Films The Margos love the celebrate Pride Month and in the past, we have covered Fried Green Tomatoes, Love, Simon, and Ca

The Margos love the celebrate Pride Month and in the past, we have covered Fried Green Tomatoes, Love, Simon, and Call Me by Your Name among other titles. This time are covering a play that made a splash when it premiered off-Broadway in April 1968. The Mart Crowley story, The Boys in the Band, revolved around several gay men as they navigate life pre-Stonewall New York City.  It went on to play over 1000 performances (always off-Broadway because that is how Edward Albee wanted it) and was first adapted into a film directed by William Freidkin. 

Friedkin, who needed a hit at the time, hired the entire cast for the film and created a work that is remembered for being a milestone in queer cinema. Set in an apartment in Manhattan, a group of homosexual men gathers ostensibly to celebrate the birthday of one of their friends. Instead,  the event becomes a tightly wound confrontation between the haves and have-nots. The beautiful and those that live a lie. It’s at times off-putting, verbose, profane, funny, and sad. The original (1970) cast lost many members to AIDS in the 80s & 90s which adds to the melancholy of a current viewing. 

The 2020 Netflix version features an all-openly gay cast including Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Andrew Rannells, and Charlie Carver who play the same characters set in 1968 but with an updated script by Crowley and Ned Martel. It’s produced by Ryan Murphy,  Martel, and director Joe Mantello

Between the original play and the 2020 adaptation–which did we like more?

In this ep the Margos discuss:

Clips used:

  • “Harold” arrives (1970)
  • The Boys in the Band  trailer
  • Harold confronts Michael 
  • Tuc calls Larry 
  • Donald and Michael at the end
  • Music by Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass

Book Vs. Movie is part of the Frolic Podcast Network. Find more podcasts you will love Frolic.Media/podcasts

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