MovieChat Forums > Outrageous! (1977) Discussion > forgotten

forgotten

posted 9 years ago by Talljoe-37-108048
6 replies | jump to latest

My buddy and I went out to see a movie in Berkeley and because there was nothing else playing we saw this.We were clueless about what it was about and were embarrassed leaving the theater....we weren't gay and there is nothing wrong with that. But the movie was one I always remember....great impersonations but I could never remember the name of it until I saw the lead a actress in the movie Atlantic City today. I have never seen it on TV and I just read how the lead actor ended up with HIV...a pity. Yes...I am surprised it's not a classic.

[–] eo_guy 8 years ago

The film occasionally shows up on cable in Canada still.

-David

Breaking Down Bergman
http://www.youtube.com/breakingdownfilms

[–] roreyking 8 years ago

I saw this in NYC when it opened there in '77. It's one of my classics, but yes, it seems sadly forgotten today. No doubt b/c it was a small indy film with no stars and no major studio to promote it. Too bad: it's a fun, touching story with a great (if familiar) message, and Craig Russell's impersonations are uncanny.

[–] BugisStreetAnnie (1294) 6 years ago

Craig Russell's impersonations are uncanny.

What seems even more uncanny was he ended up marrying a woman and fathering a child. I would just never believe that when I watch this movie.

[–] roreyking (558) 6 years ago

I know he married a woman, a friend or groupie - even though he identified as gay. I read this was b/c he was worried about being taken care of once he discovered he was HIV-positive. Not the only gay man I know who married a woman - usually to please their families or act out on internalized homophobia. Never understood what sad reason a woman would have for marrying a man they knew was gay.

As for the child - I've been reading about Russell for 40 years, and the Wikipedia entry is the first I read about that. Wouldn't be the first time such a story turned out to be an unfounded rumor. Word for years was that Tom Hulce had married and had a daughter. Turned out that was completed untrue. Hulce is openly gay.

[–] BugisStreetAnnie (1294) 6 years ago

Never understood what sad reason a woman would have for marrying a man they knew was gay.

I know, I don't understand stand that either. Maybe they want a man, but aren't interested in having sex with him so this presents the perfect opportunity.

There is a clip on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWV9bMndut4
Where a commenter named ScalliwagonDriver claims to be Craig's daughter. I suppose it's truth because she mentioned she had video tapes of him later in his life, but didn't say if she posted any on YouTube.

[–] roreyking (558) 3 years ago

For some time it was all over the net that Tom Hulce was straight and had a daughter. Both items were completely false. I doubt the notion of Russell having a biological daughter is any less false.

Re. the marriage: when he knew he had AIDS, he married one of his groupies who was very willing to take care of him as his health declined. From that perspective, the marriage isn't surprising.