Deadline
Gravitas Ventures Acquires NA Rights To ‘Studio One Forever,’ Doc About Legendary West Hollywood Disco Patronized By Major Stars, LGBTQ Hotties
By Matthew Carey
August 26, 2024

DEADLINE EXCLUSIVE: Everyone knows Studio 54, the iconic New York nightclub that flourished in the 1970s. But the West Coast claimed its magnetic hotspot in that era – a place that attracted celebrities and the gay community for a wild time of dancing, drinking, and debauchery.

Studio One Forever, directed by Marc Saltarelli, documents a discotheque and cabaret that welcomed the likes of Bette Davis, Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Elton John, and Chita Rivera, future notables like writer Bruce Vilanch, and hot young things in skimpy shorts. Gravitas Ventures today announced it has acquired North American distribution rights for the documentary, with plans to release it theatrically in Los Angeles on September 13 and VOD beginning October 8.

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The film includes new interviews with Melissa Rivers, Roslyn Kind, Lance Bass, Thelma Houston and more “as they recount their experiences at Studio One, and what the iconic club stood for as it faces demolition.” Chita Rivera, before her passing in January of this year, sat for an interview recalling her memories of performing at Studio One’s sister club, The Backlot.

“Studio One Forever shares the journey of Studio One, a beacon of dancing and freedom for gay men looking for identity in a world that saw them as outcasts, as it faces destruction,” notes a description of the documentary. “From merging the gay community and Hollywood elites like Bette Davis and Cary Grant to being at the forefront of the LGBTQ+ rights movement and the fight against the AIDS crisis, the venue was more than a vibrant disco haven and blossoming center of nightlife in West Hollywood; it was a movement.”

Bruce Vilanch and David Del Valle narrate the “dive into the history of the historic venue, offering a testament to an era and immortalizing the club’s legacy for future generations.” The film’s soundtrack features Donna Summer, Sylvester, Thelma Houston, Village People, Bronski Beat, and more.

“I’m excited to bring Studio One Forever to audiences through our partner Gravitas Ventures,” Saltarelli said in a statement. “Their enthusiasm to share the journey and cultural importance of Studio One, especially during a time when LGBTQ+ and human rights are being challenged, makes them the ideal partner to bring the inspirational story of this iconic venue to the next generation.”

Bill Guentzler, SVP of acquisitions and operations at Gravitas Ventures, commented, “Gravitas is proud to be bringing the story of Studio One Forever to North American audiences. Through entertaining and revealing narration, interviews, and footage, director Marc Saltarelli expertly captures the importance of not only the space itself, but the essence of the community that was created by its existence.”

The Factory, the nearly century-old building that housed Studio One and The Backlot, was torn down in 2020 to make way for a hotel and retail complex. But the pioneering disco won’t only live on through the documentary. Former West Hollywood City Councilman John Duran, who appears in the film and serves as a producer of the documentary, said the building was carefully dismantled.

“It was disassembled piece by piece by piece and put in crates and stored,” Duran told the audience after the film’s world premiere at the Outfest LA Film Festival last summer. “One of the promises we secured out of the developer… is that there be a permanent display and recognition of the history of Studio One with photos and items and video.” He added somewhat wistfully, “I really wanted to preserve the disco, but the sad thing is a lot of our young LGBTQ+ people, they don’t really dance anymore; they Grindr… they Tinder.”

Vilanch, never one to miss the opportunity for a joke, said at the Q&A, “John, by the way, did all his own stunts in the film.”

A sense of the importance of Studio One to the LGBTQ community emerges on the Studio One Forever Facebook page. David M. Rodriguez wrote, “Studio One was my place to go to every Friday and Saturday nights. What awesome memories.” Roger Briggs wrote, “Went there whenever I could. I was free to be me.”

Studio One Forever is directed and produced by Marc Saltarelli and produced by Stephen Israel, Alan Eichler and Michael Alden along with Lloyd Coleman, Gary Steinberg, Steve Masterson, Michael Roth, Chris Isaacson, Loree Gold, John Duran, and Steve Saltarelli. Executive producers include Gary A. Carnow, M.J. Humenuik, Matt Zarley, and Drew Sklar. The documentary is a co-production between Studio One Productions and School Pictures with support from Alan Eichler Productions, Observatory Media, Pauleytics Productions, Violet Horizon and a grant from the Mario and Mary Saltarelli Foundation.

Gravitas Ventures, an Anthem Sports and Entertainment Company, is a “leading all rights distributor of independent feature films and documentaries… Gravitas Ventures has distributed thousands of films into over a hundred million homes in North America – over one billion homes worldwide.”

The post Gravitas Gets NA Rights 2 ‘Studio One Forever,’ Ft. Bruce Vilanch first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

The Hollywood Reporter
‘Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution’ Review: Trailblazing Queer Comics Get Their Due in Entertaining Netflix Doc
BY DAVID ROONEY
June 15, 2024

In the opening section of Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution, you might be forgiven for thinking this is an extended Pride Month promo to breathe new life into Netflix’s 2022 special, Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration. But in a Q&A following the rousingly received opening-night screening at the Provincetown Film Festival, director Page Hurwitz clarified the chicken-and-the-egg situation, explaining that she produced the event at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, which assembled 22 prominent queer comics on the same bill, as a foundational building block for this documentary surveying the rich history of LGBTQ+ comedians.

At a time when a new generation of queer comics from across the sexual and gender identity spectrum has emerged into what appears to be a thriving scene, this is an invaluable primer on the many performers who kicked down resistant doors to make today’s greater representation possible.

Even if it only served as a vehicle for the rediscovery of the hilarious Robin Tyler, the first lesbian comic to come out on national television in 1978, the doc would be invaluable. When Tyler and her partner Pat Harrison, who performed as the comedy duo Harrison and Tyler, took on anti-gay crusader Anita Bryant — “I don’t mind them being born again, but do they have to come back as themselves?” Tyler asks — ABC promptly canceled their deal.

Gay comedians like Charles Nelson Reilly, Paul Lynde and Rip Taylor were all over television in the 1970s, but they remained closeted; the thinking at the time was that coming out equaled certain career death.

Even a comedy titan like Laugh-In veteran Lily Tomlin, despite making no secret of her relationship with her longtime partner and now wife Jane Wagner, says that actually declaring herself a lesbian back then was unthinkable. But the fabulous Norman Seeff shot of Tomlin looking fierce in an “Evolve or Die” muscle T-shirt makes it clear that by the mid-‘80s, she was hiding nothing.

Tomlin is one of several heavy-hitters whose interviews and comedy clips provide insight into both the barriers in place and the subversive ways many comics got around them. Going back to the Black vaudeville circuit of the 1920s with performers like “Moms” Mabley, queerness has long been a factor in stand-up, whether implicit or explicit. Sandra Bernhard, Margaret Cho, Rosie O’Donnell, Wanda Sykes, Marsha Warfield, Eddie Izzard, Hannah Gadsby and Bruce Vilanch are among those weighing in with illuminating commentary.

One of the most moving aspects of the film is how it highlights the mentor-mentee dynamic of queer comedy, with each trailblazer passing on an expanded legacy to the next up-and-comer. Both Bernhard and Cho talk of Tomlin as a major inspiration, while Joel Kim Booster acknowledges that queer women in comedy were his chief influence.

Another thread that emerges is the one-step-forward-two-steps-back factor of queer representation in comedy. The advances of each decade keep hitting a wall of backlash, whether it was Bryant’s “Christian” crusading in the ‘70s or AIDS hysteria and the family values push of the Ronald Reagan years or the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” mentality of the ‘90s, when Bill Clinton was in office.

One of the most exhilarating clips has Bernhard appropriating the disco classic “Do You Wanna Funk?” as a rallying cry for sexual freedom, provocatively skewering the stifling conservatism of public figures like Reagan and Jerry Falwell.

Several commentators make the point that unapologetically anti-gay comedy remained widely acceptable through the end of the last century and beyond, whether it was the goofy gay-panic humor of Mel Brooks and Sid Caesar or the outright homophobia of Eddie Murphy’s stand-up specials. The flip side is Richard Pryor’s appearance at a 1977 gay rights fundraiser at the Hollywood Bowl, where he talks frankly about the joys of sex with men before turning on the well-heeled, predominantly white audience for their absence from the Black rights struggle.

Input from Scott Thompson of Canadian comedy group The Kids in the Hall is especially poignant as he talks of having to create characters to hide his sexuality behind. His acerbic bar fixture Buddy Cole was notable as “the first gay character who fucked.” Elsewhere, tacit pressure made it clear that straight audiences could get on board with queer comedy so long as they didn’t have to think about actual gay sex.

Cho was another disruptive force against that unspoken rule, with a defiantly raunchy brand of personally revealing comedy. This was precisely what queer comics were told not to do, instead being encouraged to make their material “palatable.”

The prevailing coyness around the nitty-gritty of queer sexuality in comedy is echoed also in the famous guest appearance of Ellen DeGeneres on The Rosie O’Donnell Show, where she jokingly came out as “Lebanese” and O’Donnell played along, adding that she might be Lebanese too. It’s significant that while O’Donnell’s popular daytime variety and talk show ran for six seasons in syndication and had a writers’ room filled with queer comics like Judy Gold, the host still operated under the assumption that coming out was a career killer.

Many of the interviewees discuss the experience of being unable to land a booking after their sexuality became public knowledge. One of the more emotional moments features Todd Glass recalling his successful breakthrough years as a staple of late-night comedy, never even contemplating coming out, until a heart attack and a hospital visit from his partner gave him the courage to take that step. Sykes had a different means of arriving at that point, more or less accidentally coming out by mentioning her wife during a public appearance.

Hurwitz, a former comic herself, has a great eye for choice material, clearly having dug like a truffle hound through decades of archives to find clips that often remain eye-wateringly funny today.

Inevitably there are conspicuous absences — among them Kate McKinnon, Bowen Yang, Cole Escola, John Early and Jerrod Carmichael, perhaps partly justified by the choice to focus largely on comics who participated in the Greek Theatre event — and areas where the doc could have pushed harder. Any discussion of homophobia getting a pass for way too long in comedy should include the infamous Tracy Morgan rant, when he told a Nashville audience that he would “pull out a knife and stab” his son if he were gay. Even Dave Chapelle’s inflammatory transphobic material gets only cursory coverage.

If there’s a significant flaw in the doc it’s that for a film so willing to contextualize queer comedy in the political landscape of the past, it’s surprisingly reticent about the alarming climate of the present, with a concerted push well under way to roll back many of the gains of LGBTQ+ rights. Surely somewhere on the cutting room floor someone voiced an opinion about all that’s at stake in the upcoming election?

Even so, Outstanding makes a persuasive, highly entertaining case that the evolution of queer comedy is inextricably bound to broader developments in representation, and that emerging next-gen queer comics could learn a lot from their forebears.

The post ‘Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution’ Review first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

The Wrap
‘Outstanding’ Trailer Reveals Netflix Doc About the History of LGBTQ+ Standup Comedy | Video
By Kayla Cobb
June 3, 2024

The June special will feature Sandra Bernhard, Bruce Vilanch, Wanda Sykes, Hannah Gadsby, Tig Notaro, Bob The Drag Queen, and more.

Timed to Pride, Netflix has dropped the trailer for its first-of-its-kind documentary about the history of standup comedy in the LGBT+ community. “Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution” will premiere on the Streamer on June 18, following its Spotlight Premiere at the Tribeca Festival on Friday.

“All kinds of comedy are accepted now, which I never thought would be accepted in my lifetime,” Rosie O’Donnell says in this first trailer. “When I was a young comic, you had to be careful what you did, who you talked to, and who knew.”

“It wasn’t accepted to say you were gay onstage,” Lily Tomlin says in the video. Watch the full trailer above.

The documentary will follow how LGBT+ standup has driven social change over the past five decades. To do this, “Outstanding” will combine interviews, memorable standup performances, archival materials, and verité footage. “Ultimately, the film reveals that queer comedians — whether they intended to or not — helped change the world, one joke at a time,” a logline for the project reads.

In addition to O’Donnell and Tomlin, the documentary will spotlight Billy Eichner, Bob The Drag Queen, Bruce Vilanch, Fortune Feimster, Gina Yashere, Guy Branum, Hannah Gadsby, James Adomian, Jim David, Joel Kim Booster, Judy Gold, KJ Whitehead, Mae Martin, Margaret Cho, Marsha Warfield, Matteo Lane, Patti Harrison, River Butcher, Robin Tran, Robin Tyler, Roz Hernandez, Sandra Bernhard, Scott Thompson, Solomon Georgio, Suzanne Westenhoefer, Suzy Izzard, Tig Notaro, Todd Glass, Trixie Mattel and Wanda Sykes.

The post Vilanch, Bernhard, & More To Be Ft In Comedy Doc first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

We Got Bruce
Video: Documentarian Marc Saltarelli & Gay Icon Bruce Vilanch Talk ‘Studio One Forever’
By Mister D
May 3, 2024

Documentarian Marc Saltarelli and gay Icon Bruce Vilanch Discuss ‘Studio One Forever’ with Dennis Hensley on the podcast ‘Dennis Anyone?’

Documentary and Participants:

• Dennis hosts a conversation via Zoom with Marc Saltarelli, who directed the documentary “Studio One Forever.”
• Bruce Vilanch, who appears in the film and was a regular at the club during its heyday, also joins the discussion.

Club History and Controversies:

• They delve into the vibrant and sometimes controversial history of Studio One, a renowned disco club.
• The club’s treacherous back stairs become a topic of conversation.
• Interestingly, while many associate Studio One as a rip-off of Studio 54, it’s actually the other way around.

Founder’s Vision and Inclusion:

• Scott Forbes, the club’s founder, is discussed. His vision didn’t always include people who didn’t resemble him, such as women and people of color.

Early AIDS Benefits and Joan Rivers:

• The conversation touches on the early AIDS benefits held in the Backlot cabaret space at Studio One.
• One of these benefits was headlined by Joan Rivers and caused significant controversy, even leading to death threats against her family. Nevertheless, the show went on!

Unexpected Discovery and Memories:

• A treasure trove of Studio One photos was discovered in an unlikely place.
• They reflect on the courage it took for gay men of that era to line up on Robertson Boulevard to enter the club.
• Certain songs always evoke memories of Studio One for Bruce and Marc.

The legacy of Studio One lives on through these discussions and memories!

The post Marc Saltarelli & Bruce Vilanch Talk ‘Studio One Forever’ first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

We Got Bruce
“Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution” – Celebrating Queer Stand-Up Comedy
By Mister D
April 19, 2024

Netflix is set to premiere the groundbreaking documentary “Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution” globally on June 18. This feature-length film delves into the rich history of queer stand-up comedy, exploring how it has served as an instrument for social change over the past five decades. Through a combination of stand-up performances, interviews, and archival materials, the documentary sheds light on the trailblazing work of LGBTQ+ comedians who have actively challenged cultural norms and values.

The film features an impressive lineup of comedians and historians who share their insights and experiences:

Lily Tomlin: A legendary performer known for her wit and iconic characters.
Sandra Bernhard: A fearless comedian and actress who has pushed boundaries.
Wanda Sykes: A trailblazer who fearlessly tackles social issues in her comedy.
Hannah Gadsby: The brilliant mind behind the groundbreaking show “Nanette.”
Tig Notaro: Known for her deadpan delivery and poignant storytelling.
Rosie O’Donnell: A beloved TV personality and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
Margaret Cho: A fearless voice who has challenged stereotypes.
Bob The Drag Queen: A drag performer who combines humor and activism.
Trixie Mattel: A drag queen, singer, and comedian with a devoted following.

Historians and Insights

The documentary also features interviews with historians who provide context and depth:

Dave Holmes: Offering historical perspectives on queer comedy.
Roger Mason: Sharing insights into the evolution of LGBTQ+ stand-up.
Shar Jossell: Discussing the impact of comedy on social change.
Susan Stryker: Providing valuable context from an academic standpoint.
Kate Aurthur (Variety Editor-at-Large): Offering journalistic insights.

Bruce Vilanch and Other Notable Interviewees

Among other comedians interviewed are Bruce Vilanch, Fortune Feimster, Gina Yashere, Guy Branum, James Adomian, Jim David, Joel Kim Booster, Judy Gold, KJ Whitehead, Mae Martin, Marsha Warfield, Matteo Lane, Patti Harrison, River Butcher, Robin Tran, Robin Tyler, Roz Hernandez, Scott Thompson, Solomon Georgio, Suzanne Westenhoefer, and Todd Glass.

Director’s Perspective

“Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution” is written and directed by Page Hurwitz. Hurwitz emphasizes the power of comedy to unite people and praises the comedians featured in the film for their trailblazing work. She hopes the documentary will honor their contributions to LGBTQ+ history and inspire audiences to discover new comedy heroes.

World Premiere and Netflix Release

Before its Netflix release, “Outstanding” will have its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Festival on June 7. Netflix greenlit the project almost two years ago, intending to complement their comedy special “Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration.”

The documentary premieres globally on June 18 on Netflix, following its world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival on June 7. Get ready to laugh, learn, and celebrate the trailblazing work of LGBTQ+ comedians who have fearlessly taken the stage and changed the world, one punchline at a time! ???

The post “Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution” – Celebrating Queer Stand-Up Comedy first appeared on We Got Bruce!.