48:50 It's a small moment and a small part of this video but Robin Williams stepping in and deflecting Oprah's question to keep Nathan Lane from having to choose between outing himself and lying almost made me cry. I know how terrifying and isolating it is to have to keep your identity in the closet for safety, I can only imagine how intense those feelings would be having to confront it on live television. In the moments after the deflection when Robin adjusts the way he was sitting to face towards Nathan and has his arm behind his chair I could see him silently communicating: "you're not alone, I'm in your corner and we're getting through this together."
Yay, Harney! I have always loved his work, but there was one segment he did on IN THE LIFE that made him not only a hero and icon, but a great person. His monologue started with the idea that it takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a gay village to raise a gay child. He spoke about how disproportionately many of the homeless young people are gay and that it is the job of older gay people to reach out and save them. I so wish I could find that clip somewhere.
He's an EGOT, so safe bet. Torch Song Trilogy changed my life as a child. I quit Little League after seeing Matt Broderick killed like he was in the film. Destroyed me. 😊❤
The Birdcage was my mother’s favorite movie. Sometimes we would just randomly quote lines to each other. “It’s like riding a psychotic horse toward a burning stable!” I miss her. :(
@@normanduke8855I hope so. My dad and I used to quote Homer Simpson's lines to each other, especially those regarding being a father. Like having 3 children and no money instead of having no children and 3 money. I wish I could do that again.
The Birdcage and To Wong Foo were my favorite movies as a kid. My mom is a lesbian and I grew up in the queer community. I even wanted to be a drag queen when I was a kid because I always thought they were so glamorous and colorful. Miss Chi-Chi was my idol lol
@@michelepowers-neeld6700 Yay! One time, I (on a dare...) got all dressed up, big gigantic hair, and took the Boston Subway to the local drag bar,. I entered the Lip Sync contest, sang Taylor Danes "Prove Your Love" and won $50 1st prize! LoL :)
The effort of making the script more "straight - friendly" was worth it. I feel this movie changed so many hearts. This movie had an impact in me and I was a straight 10 years old boy that grew up in Latin America . This movie was transmitted pretty regularly in national open broadcasting here in Argentina. I won't lie, for the old folk it was "haha a man in drag, hilarious", but for the open minded it really touched our hearts with it's universal story of acceptance and family.
EXACTLY!! I remember watching this one and The Full Monty on... canal 13? The one that also transmitted el show creativo and LOVING IT. In my house it was never a "haha drag" situation but more of a "please child, we want to watch other things too, not this one again for the 100 time"
Did you see the second French Cage aux folles from Michel Serrault? This time it was an espionnage movie where Albin and Renato are stuck with some lost microfilm story. At some moment, Albin is abducted by the evil guys and the police (with Renato) surrounds the place. The bad guys talk about exchanging Albin for a plane and one makes the insulting comment of "You would exchange that for a plane?" Albin sees that they scorn him so he leaves, he can escape since they do not care, and meanwhile Renato wants to go inside to save Albin but the police refuses and push him away ordering him to shut up, so he also acts on his own and goes to save Albin. They both meet and ask each other if they are okay and then they leave together under the gaze of the police and that part was always so sad and so moving. Despite how the world treats them, despite their constant arguing, they both love each other and will face danger for each other. I'm not sure if they made this as a joke since one of the police cries and says: "It's beautiful" and the others look at him weirdly but it is moving. I always got tears in my eyes when I see it, they are such a nice couple. We can see how humane they are and how society treats them badly for no reason but their love conquers all.
Just think that until 1972 a recipient simply could not mention their same sex partner because being gay was illegal. Admitting being gay could well have resulted in both being arrested.
I was SHOCKED to see footage of audiences at the Tony Awards during the original Hello Dolly! EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THE AUDIENCE IS WHITE. We think we have come so far, but it wasn't so long ago from whence we've come.
This is one of my favorite movies. I didn't know this was rated R and when I watched it with my 12 year old daughter my inlaws got so angry at me. They asked my daughter what she thought the movie was about hoping to get more fuel against me. My daughter told them it was about 2 people who wanted to get married and the parents thought they were too young.
Your in-laws sound pretty awful. Imagine being angry that you let her watch a movie that teaches about love, tolerance, family & acceptance. Frankly, I’d be more concerned about their influence on her than this wonderful movie! *Also how sweet that all she noticed was the parents concern that the kids were too young to marry!
I was 10 when this came out and my parents took my sister and I to see it in theaters. The movie was rated R but they had done their due diligence and looked up why. I remember them explaining to us, “This is rated R, but it only has that rating because it’s about gay men.” I remember the theater being packed and most of the adult jokes went right over my head at the time, lol
I saw Nathan Lane in Forum - there was a moment in the opening number when he confronted a man in drag. Nathan: "You'd think I never saw a man in a dress before!" (here the audience broke into loud, spontaneous applause for about 30 seconds) Nathan: "Thank you for remembering."
The Birdcage (Movie) more than any societal push in media made my parents realize being gay is nothing to be afraid of. My father especially as he grew up around his gay brother and 3 gay cousins. Many men in my family are quite effeminate....as am I. I identify as gender-fluid and pansexual and without the ground work laid by The Birdcage, I might have had a much harder life in my family.
Because Albie's Character is was clearly THE EPITOME OF A METROSEXUAL PANSEXUAL. SO MANY MEN OF ALL RACES IN AMERICA RIGHT NOW THAT DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND IT'S OKAY TO LIKE WHO YOU LIKE IN TO DRESS AS YOU FEEL AND NOT FEEL LIKE YOUR MASCULINITY IS NOT THERE ITS JUST HAS FLAIR! THERE'S SO MANY HIGH-MAINTENANCE MASCULINE PANSEXUALS THAT ARE CONTINUALLY LIVING A DISCRETE LIGHT FOR I DON'T KNOW WHY LIKE NO ONE THAT NOTICES THAT YOU LIKE Feminine Queers But some day THEY WILL BE FINE WITH THEMSELVES.
Harvey Fierstein's "..Life ain't worth a damn.. until you can say hey world, I am what I am..", and Nathan Lane thanking his husband; and people realizing this play/movie is about people-with all the warmth, love, struggles we all face- thanks so much for this Matt. Great job as always.❤
I got choked up at the part where Nathan thanked his husband. It's one of those moments we can be proud we've come so far, that fighting for acceptance is worth it 😊
La Cage Aux Folles is iconic here in France, Poiret and Serrault are legends. Thank you for talking about them correctly. I love your videos, and that was a great one. 💖
Its also a film which is (or at least used to be) regularly repeated on german tv and i knew it long before the american remake. still love it and don't even mind the sequel :-)
I saw La Cage 3 times in 2 weeks 'cause my american friends needed a translator in case they couldn't follow the sub-titles. Yet there was no need as the comedic timing was Impeccable, and never replicated in the Bird Cage version.
How I ended up at 19 in Beverly Hills to see La Cage aux Folles is a mystery. It blew me away as it was unique. I returned with friends 17 times to introduce them to the film. It's a brilliant and inspiring story and the actors are burnished in my memory as a young person and now and old one.
I can't imagen the sadness of never being able to say "I want to thank my husband." A person should be able to say that without feeling threatened, and the fact that it might have been the first time in his life he said that on TV at an awards ceremony just makes me want to cry. I have a lot of friends who are parents who are gay, and they've done a perfect job. I hope Bates is watching this, he should know that he's a very strong father and grandfather, and roll model. Love to all.
The sadness of not being able to say I want to thank my husband pales in comparison to the sadness of never having a husband (or anyone) to begin with.
@@Meyerc-yv2bi This is true, but we are talking about the LGBTQ community now. This is a video about the LGBTQ community, and their interaction with straights. We had a family friend who was gay. We kids grew up around Ed and Joe, and we always knew, and they were always amazing men. Ed was a war hero in WWII. Purple heart and medal of honor recipient. A strong, brave, wonderful man, and his partner was very caring and intelligent. They had a more stable relationship than my parents. But they were old queens, and never said they loved each other, in public. Never held hands. This was very harsh, back then, to insist that a whole slew of people could never make normal expressions of affection.
@@Hollylivengood What makes you think I am NOT talking about the LGBTQ community? Again, The sadness of not being able to say I want to thank my husband pales in comparison to the sadness of never having a husband (or anyone) to begin with. What part of that don't you understand?
I saw this movie in a theater. The audience walked out after like we were all friends, the impact it had was amazing. Strangers smiling and talking to each other about what a great movie it was. I actually had to rent it as soon as it was available because we had missed so many of the jokes because the audience was still laughing at the previous joke.
My dad took me to see this in theater when it came out and I was nine. I have no idea why. Maybe he wanted to expose me to gay dads being gay and wholesome. Maybe he just wanted to see the new Robin Williams movie and we were home from school that day. Most of it sailed right over my head, but I loved the drag scenes and the silly hijinks. I understand more now as an adult obviously. Still one of my best memories of my dad ❤️
Matt this was an incredibly touching video. My late grandma told me, after I came out to her, that the Birdcage was one of the things she saw that made her realize she could accept me. I was a little taken aback when she said it at the time but… you captured the kind of impact it could have. Thank you for recording this.
It was wonderful to hear the history of La Cage Aux Folle. My dear friend Benny Luke who passed away in 2013, played Jacob the houseboy in all 3 versions of the La Cage Aux Folle films. When he auditioned, he did a little act a friend of his would do in the Cabaret. He pretended he couldn't walk in shoes. They loved it and that's why it's in the movie! Benny told me so many wonderful stories of that period. I miss him like mad!
UA-camrs like you don't get enough credit for the brilliant clip insert jokes. They're so freaking good and an important characteristic of all you top-notch essayists.
The original movie has a special place in my heart. Eons ago, I lived in LA after college and went to see “La Cage aux Folles” on a first date with a guy I really liked. The movie was in French with English subtitles. I think it was shown in some tiny, long-closed venue in Westwood. I remember this vividly as the audience would erupt in two distinct waves…those of us who understood the French, the second wave of hysteria from those reading the dialogue onscreen. I often wonder whatever happened to my date. I remember he worked in a health food store on Melrose while I am a really big fan of a good steakhouse. So, it probably would have never worked out.
I saw the French version in la too. I was about 12. I think my mom must have already seen it and took me and my sister. We used to go to the club la cage aux folles for special occasions throughout my teens. Did you ever go there?
I unequivocally love The Birdcage. Every line is Instantly iconic. Script, acting, wardrobe, everything is perfect and, surprisingly, is even more relevant in 2023 than ever. Holds up perfectly.
Matt, I just want to thank you, sincerely for your videos. I am a straight, AFAB woman and I am always hoping to learn more about LGBTQ history, culture and issues to hopefully become a better ally and gain greater awareness. You are an incredible story teller and you put so much effort and research into your videos, I have learned so much from you. My parents are fairly conservative and I have been trying for the past few years to educate them about LGBTQ issues the same way you do for me. I am just hoping to open them up to a discussion and challenge their viewpoint. It has been a real blessing to have your videos to point to and I have seen a really heartening change in their attitude and outlook when it comes to anything related to the LGBTQ community. Edit: I just wanted to make one thing clear, my parents are moderately conservative, however they are certainly not homopobic. In my experience, it’s just a lack of knowledge combined with some outdated views, there is ZERO hatred or bigotry involved. They are wonderful people.
I was little and watching when Harvey thanked his lover. My father was in the room, behind me, and said ‘what is the world coming to?’ He wasn’t a bad man at all, but it put it into my head that I could never come out. A very dark moment in my life.
During the 1980s, my father made at least one open comment that disparaged gay people with HIV/AIDS. And yet, in 2017, he voted in favour of marriage equality in Australia's postal survey. People can change and learn.
You know better than anyone else who you are, and no ones opinion of you will ever take that away from you. It doesn't make your journey any easier though. I really hope your parents come around and that they're struggling now just because they are mourning the idea of who they thought you were. I really genuinely hope for your continued success and happiness.
I am transgender as well and I know how difficult it can be when your parents cannot accept you for the person that you are , but I would also like to say if you ever feel alone just remember there are thousands of transgender people out there willing to lend a shoulder to cry on and help support you emotionally . I wish you all the best and I hope that someday your parents will accept you for the person you truly are
It's crazy how many things are tangentially related to this story. The string of MGM/UA movies was like reading episode titles of How Did This Get Made.
The movie was not well done; the French novel on which it was based was considerably better, albeit with a distinct left-wing slant. At the end, the two dolphin characters escape U.S. military jurisdiction to the freedom of Cuba.
I saw it as a teen and loved it. Mostly because it had a talking dolphin " Fa want Be now". Didn't really care who got blown up as long as it wasn't the dolphins
that they made a documentary of drag shows around Europe and the US so they performers in The Birdcage could create a good side show that was accurate is actually amazing. How awesome. This is one of those movies that any time it's being offered to watch, I will definitely watch it
This movie is me and my mom’s “sick day” movie. Whenever I would stay home from school sick as a child, we watched The Birdcage. It holds such a warm place in my heart. ❤
I was hired at a movie theater in high school. The Birdcage was one of the films playing when I began work. I only saw glimpses of what was on the screen while running in and out of the auditorium, and i had no idea what was actually transpiring until much later. I lived in a conservative area, but there were lots of tickets sold and I don’t remember anyone having a problem with it.
I remember in 1984 when they did I Am What I Am on the Grammys. I was 16. That was also the year that Annie Lennox performed in full male drag and Culture Club won best new artist. Boy George made a cheeky comment addressing the United States. "You've got taste, style and you know a good drag queen when you see one". I just remember my uncles were all scandalized about the Grammys that year. It's on UA-cam and worth checking out.
I almost made it through the video without crying But the contrast of Fierstein thanking his lover being an act of defiance and Lane thanking his husband hit me
Lane has said he wanted it more obvious that Val saw Albert as a co-parent prior to his engagement, making his sudden embarrassment more of a painful betrayal. He also thought the character should be tougher, revealing how much crap he'd been through in his life as an effeminate openly gay man since Anita and Falwell were in full bloom. However, he didn't have any clout in film yet and the producers were leary to show a gay couple as TOO domestic or a drag queen as too sympathetic for fear of alienating mainstream audiences.
In the end, though, thanks to Nathan's talent those ideas came through in a more subdued but more readily accepted form. His portrayal of Albert was such that even died in the wool bigots get the message. I'm going to get that Nathan Lane has saved many lives and even more souls.
Saw the American version twice in the theaters. I think I was twelve and there are so many moments still in the present part of my life, that make me think of that movie. I’ve watched the original a couple of times but admittedly not with the same frequency as the remake. Guess I’ll have to take some time out to give it the love and attention it deserves 🖤
Matt, as always, not just a great story, but also incredibly movingly told. As a bi father of a trans kid, your videos are a regular highlight and the passion and joy you show presenting them are a source of great support and encouragement. This one again would have convinced me to join your patreon if I hadn't done so ages ago. ;) Thank you so much, and keep going. (Oh, and please, if possible, do more collabs with Matt Colville. I loved the Twitch stream you did with him on The Last of Sheila and can't wait to see more of my two fav YT Matts!) Lotsa Love!
I saw Le Cage Aux Folles, way before the Birdcage, and refused to watch the Birdcage, thinking it wouldn't be as good. Boy, was I wrong. "I turned my laundry room into an Egyptian discotheque", lol. Only one Thumb up, isn't enough, and shared!
The birdcage is my favorite comedy film and my second fav film of all time. It’s the favorite for us to watch as a family. When I was little, in the late 2000’s, I was a kid who loved call of duty and halo, and all the inappropriate homophonic language that came with it. My parents showed me this movie to teach young me that there is nothing wrong with being gay. It’s now a movie we constantly quote. Whenever there’s an awkward silence one of us says “how bout them dolphins?” And any time we go to a wedding or formal event, we all suddenly become Agador, unable to walk.
my mum and dad took their friends to this. the husband didn't know the plot to the film- thought it was just a robin williams comedy- and proceeded to have what my Mum describes as the funniest and most conspicuous homophobic reaction throughout the entire film. He was so uncomfortable but his pride wouldn't let him walk out, so instead he sat there surrounded by the uproariously entertained crowd cringing his way through every scene. Mum said this movie was great but she enjoyed the puerile infantilized tantrum of her friends husband way more.
When I first came out in 1989, my boyfriend sat me down and made me watch La Cage aux Folles (dubbed in English). I still rewatch it now and then (in French) and it remains one of my favourite movies. While I appreciated The Birdcage (it introduced me to Nathan Lane), for me La Cage aux Folles is still my preferred version.
In the 90s I was a gender fluid teenager who desperately wanted to be a clown this movie made me feel a brand new kind of happiness and this video has given me ALL the smiles :D Thank You!!
I remember the first time I saw this movie and was amazed there was a world where this went on. Loving Robin Williams, I made it a point to see every movie he had ever stared in after his death, and was surprised at how much I loved this film. Thanks Matt and keep it coming!!
My mother LOVED La Cage, seeing it multiple times on Broadway with both her mother and her grandmother. When I came out in ‘93 (as a 13yr old, which was young back then) she played me “I Am What I Am” from the soundtrack she kept in the car. I also remember picking up the Nathan Lane cover edition of The Advocate from my college bookstore and loving that interview.
I cannot express how much I enjoy your content. It's like when they used to have all the DVD bonus features for movies, but here you've made a bonus features for all iterations, in one hour long documentary format, its wonderful. It's especially refreshing that the style is more documentary feature than a modern UA-cam style. I do enjoy think piece videos from creators even with their sponsor breaks spliced in lol, but its so nice to see a more traditional comprehensive documentary style being presented. And yet you still keep it fun with the meme's thrown in too, I really enjoy it. Not to mention as a lover of gay media getting this quality content for this subject matter is just invaluable. I cannot thank you enough for giving me these videos to learn from and to have to refer to from here on out. I appreciate it so much.
I saw The Birdcage at the cinema in the UK when it was current. As a straight lad in his early 20s I loved it and have always felt it was totally under-appreciated. As always your videos show me a side of the media and culture I'm completely unaware of. Another top quality video.
I watched THE BIRDCAGE before I came out and loved it. After I came out I rewatched it and loved it even more and related to it and understood it on an emotional level. Thank you for this video about one of my favorite movies. Everyone should see THE BIRDCAGE. I think it was one of Robin’s best roles! I thought he was amazing in this movie!
La Cage aux Folles is a cult movie in France, and The Birdcage is one of the few "American remakes" of French movies that was succesful in France. The French youtuber Meea made a wonderful video about both movies, and if you understand French, you absolutely should see it !
The performance of Robin Williams and Nathan Lane in The Birdcage forever changed my outlook on life. I was raised a Catholic, in a conservative family in the 1980s. Going back and learning all that was going on behind the scenes was incredibly touching. I absolutely LOVE this movie! Also, completely unrelated, I cannot look at Wesley Snipes anymore without seeing Noxema. The love that these actors can put into their characters can completely turn hearts. I hope they never forget that.
One of my most favourite movies and I've adored Nathan Lane since. He appears - comes across - as a decent thoughtful humble passionate man, and I think he's wonderful. rip our dear Robin Williams 😢
I was lucky enough to meet both of them as a college kid working at a theater in San Francisco. Just wanted to confirm that your assumptions are absolutely, one hundred percent correct. Side note: Martin Short is a douche bag and Nathan Lane was a gem next to him.
The Birdcage, as well as all the birds in that cage - have inspired me since they first came out - to come out myself. At 88, I know now that to be yourself is the best gift you can ever give to yourself. Thank you -- all of you.
Thanks Mr Baume for another wonderful trip down the rainbow brick road. I got so choked up when Nathan was able to thank his husband in his speech. 🌈 Fun fact: our Aussie stop-motion creator of _Harvie Krumpet_ made history back in 2004. At the Academy Awards, Adam Elliot thanked his boyfriend, becoming the first Oscar winner to thank their same sex partner. I recall bursting with such pride and awe at the time. I've met him a couple of times & he was such a lovely man. I encourage you all to seek out his work 🤓
The original French movie was so funny and original, far better in French with subtitles than the English overdubbed version. When the American film came out I thought no way it was going to be as funny, but I was wrong. Glad it got made, glad it was a success, glad it reverberated with a wide audience. Thanks for the background, thanks for the telling and for weaving all the complexities into cogent explanations.
This video is so wonderful. It brings back so many memories of growing up and finding myself in the nineties - good and bad. It was a tough time but there was such a sense of loyalty and camaraderie that developed. I still tear up when I hear “We Are Family” 🥹 and I will always treasure The Birdcage for portraying the struggle and humor and beauty of queer people and families. Thank you so much! ❤
I’ve never done a Patreon before, but I think I’m going to have to now. Anyone that puts Arrested Development clips into their video deserves my support.
I saw the Franco-Italian version of La Cage aux Folles with Michel Serrault and Ugo Tognazzi in the early eighties. There were also 2 follow-ups and the trio have been my all-time favourite comedies since then, although I must confess that the first episode is decidedly the best.
I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s and remember quite well how rare gay rep was, especially good gay rep. I cry at the end of every one of your videos. Takes me back.
I have honestly been contemplating on my decision to enter in a Pride Pageant for DeLand. I had a "friend" tell me "what the hell dude" on my post announcment on Instagram. I was afraid of people saying rude things to me. I wondered if I was making a mistake running for the Mister category. Somehow I stumbled on this video and the last part of your video hit me hard. Hearing Nathan Lane and Harvey Fierstein say, I got one life, I am what I am was just what I needed at the moment. With all the hate happening in my beautiful state of Florida, I need to stand up and make my voice heard even though this is such a tough time to be LGBTQ+. Thank you for this video. I freaking love The Birdcage and this brought so much insight to the process and makes me love the film even more. I totally need to see La Cage Aux Folles. It's been on my Queer Cinema List for a while and I need to give it a go. Keep teaching us and inspiring us Matt.
I always end up tearing up a bit at these video about all the insanely brave people who've made it possible for me to live in the world today openly, and contributed to my love of movies. It's incredibly inspiring. Thank you as always for making these videos they're such a bright spot for me whenever I see you've uploaded :')
The first time I saw "The Birdcage" was on a flight back home from a family vacation in Orlando as a teen; everyone on the flight was laughing. It's remained a comfort movie and I can recite the lines from memory. This was such a great documentary Matt!
Thanks so much for this history of the Birdcage. This has been my favorite film for the longest time - it was a wonderful companion to my own coming out.
I took my grandmom and my 7 year old daughter to see the Birdcage in rural Ohio in 1997. I'd seen La Cage so I knew the plot. The theater employees were giving me side eye for taking a child and a senior citizen to an R rated movie. We all loved it. Afterwards, I'm thinking why was it rated R? I don't think there's one curse word, no nudity or sex, just good clean fun and laughs.
The back story you offer here has given me an appreciation for how much individuals have gone through to bring this cultural hit to us gay and straight. Having been one of the lucky young people to see the original La Cage aux Folles in Beverly Hills in the 70s I didn't realize the length and struggles it took to bring this great story to a general audience.
Cineplex used to have a week or two in the year where they’d show old movies. For a millennial film nerd, getting to see movies I missed in theatres like Blazing Saddles, Ghostbusters, Jaws and Monty Python and the Holy Grail were an amazing experience. (And the Kill Bill double feature. Maaaan that was a good night.) They included the Birdcage a couple years after Robin Williams died and getting to go see it with my mom, being out, and really enjoy it, was a hell of an experience.
Middle aged straight uk mum here and I always loved the birdcage film but didn't know the full story so this was fascinating. Thank you. Also I just love Harvey fierstein and love that he still thanked scott!! .
I've watched The Celluloid Closet 50 million times and JUST understood an editing decision... there's a moment where a dour Arthur Laurents condemns all early film portrayals of 'The Sissy' type as unfunny and demeaning. Cut to Harvey Fierstein sheepishly, coyly admitting: *"... I like the sissy."* He knew it wasn't great representation, but it was campy, fun, and to him, better than being invisible. I can see both perspectives and both should be valued, but it does shed some light on Arthur's directing choices, banishing any element that could be associated with The Sissy in an attempt to win over The Enemy. Very interesting to consider, thank you again for your deep dive on this Matt!
That is pretty interesting; there's a good point that problematic representations can still have fans. My take is that it sucks if it's the only representation out there. But as part of a kaleidoscope of representations, it's all good. But that's also true of representations that are less problematic on the surface level: if every gay representation just showed us as just incredibly 'masculine' and 'serious' (for lack of better words) then it would still be typecasting and miss out the reality. You're right that it really explains a lot of his directing choices, and it is an interesting position for him to take.
I remember there being a revival of La Cage Aux Folles at one point and my mom, who religiously watched the Tony Awards, wouldn't let me or my siblings watch the number in the awards show from that musical. Apparently we could watch Gypsy on repeat, but not that one.
This is an excellent video. I have not seen the American version, only the French "La Cage aux Folles" which is one of my all-time favourite films, with those wonderful, lovable actors, Michel Serault and Ugo Tognazi. La Cage aux Folles is the champagne of comedy and humanity. Thank you for this richly informative video!
I didn't know Nathan Lane was not well known before Birdcage. He was beyond perfect somehow. Robin Williams, gone way too soon, absolute tragedy. I imagine he'd be most proud of this role, for the meaningful impact. He also was perfect. Couldn't have been better.
I remember seeing The Birdcage when it was first released and no lie I laughed so hard so many times my gut hurt by the end of the movie. First and only time that's ever happened.
The Birdcage was one of my mom's favorite movies - and I remember her and my younger brother (who had sat down and watched them with her at home) loved to quote it to each other randomly. I remember their shock when I told them I didn't understand the references because I hadn't seen it, so they had me sit down and watch it with them, and I fell in love with it. To this day I can still quote whole chunks of the movie by memory, and I was lucky enough to introduce it to my husband (who is actually from Miami) and now the two of us have a tradition of quoting it to each other randomly in our day to day lives.
As a foreign exchange student in France I was (probably) one of the few Americans who saw the original play of La Cage at the Palais Royal in 1973. One of the more "unrevealing" and "fun" differences between the play and the film was a much longer time in the play where the audience assumed Laurent was Renato's lover and not his/their son.
Matt your video couldn't have come at a better time I just found out that my name change has been denied for really stupid reasons so I have been really down lately , but I'm pretty sure a video from you about the BIRDCAGE will will lift my spirits so thank you so much
thank you for all the messages but I would just like to say there's no reason for any of you to say sorry unless you were secretly The Mastermind behind this . honestly I don't want people to feel sorry for me
This is one of my favorite all time movies. It sucks that what started off as a parody of conservatism in this movie became the real thing. 30 years ago, Gene Hackman wouldn't have been elected. And I love that Albert, the effeminate drag queen is the hero here, playing Val's mom and that Armand and Val kind of come off like assholes for trying to be heteronormative.
Thank you so much for making this. I loved every minute of it. This movie/musical has been a part of my life since the moment my French teacher introduced me to La Cage in Junior high. I was delighted when it was made into The Birdcage. I ended up doing a report on Mike Nichols films in college, and most of it revolved around the film, with an emphasis on found family. Last year I talked about "I Am What I Am" on my friends podcast during his Pride Month shows about Queer artists in music. Needless to say, this all spoke to my soul.
I happened across this movie in ‘96 when I was helping my sister doing laundry at the Supermat in homophobic brooklyn in the mid 90s. It was showing at the laundromats big screen and me and my sister both fell down laughing. Never judge a book by its cover. 👍🏼
48:50 It's a small moment and a small part of this video but Robin Williams stepping in and deflecting Oprah's question to keep Nathan Lane from having to choose between outing himself and lying almost made me cry. I know how terrifying and isolating it is to have to keep your identity in the closet for safety, I can only imagine how intense those feelings would be having to confront it on live television. In the moments after the deflection when Robin adjusts the way he was sitting to face towards Nathan and has his arm behind his chair I could see him silently communicating: "you're not alone, I'm in your corner and we're getting through this together."
Robin really was an amazing guy. All of these stories and appearances just makes you realise how much he cared for his friends and co-workers.
I’ve just come to the comments crying to say just this a beautiful moment of compassion
It absolutely had me bawling
Robin Williams is an honorary gay person.
And he made it funny, so she got the hint, without being offended! He thought of both of them! He really was a caring guy.
"We don't want a repeat of last year."
Harvey Fierstein: "Challenge accepted!"
Yay, Harney! I have always loved his work, but there was one segment he did on IN THE LIFE that made him not only a hero and icon, but a great person. His monologue started with the idea that it takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a gay village to raise a gay child. He spoke about how disproportionately many of the homeless young people are gay and that it is the job of older gay people to reach out and save them. I so wish I could find that clip somewhere.
He's an EGOT, so safe bet. Torch Song Trilogy changed my life as a child. I quit Little League after seeing Matt Broderick killed like he was in the film. Destroyed me. 😊❤
@@michaeltutty1540Harvey is everything. 😊❤
The Birdcage was my mother’s favorite movie. Sometimes we would just randomly quote lines to each other. “It’s like riding a psychotic horse toward a burning stable!” I miss her. :(
It's my Guatemalan-ness
Cheer up. We see all of these people again.
@@vapoet my natural heat 😂
@@normanduke8855I hope so. My dad and I used to quote Homer Simpson's lines to each other, especially those regarding being a father. Like having 3 children and no money instead of having no children and 3 money. I wish I could do that again.
Me too! RIP, Mom
I hold Albert up as one of my top 3 fictional mothers... no caveats, no asterisk.
Who else?
@@SiiriCressey
Sarah Connor
Morticia Addams
@@singularrookhart7501 I also approve.
Pink Diamond would represent the opposite I guess
What does Dick Caveat have to do with this?
The Birdcage and To Wong Foo were my favorite movies as a kid. My mom is a lesbian and I grew up in the queer community. I even wanted to be a drag queen when I was a kid because I always thought they were so glamorous and colorful.
Miss Chi-Chi was my idol lol
I'm a cishet woman and I was once a Drag Queen for an evening.
It was glorious.
I'm straight,but both of those are sum of my favorite movies! So gay, straight wateva!!
Don't forget Victor, Victoria! I think it is even better the La Cage!
@@michelepowers-neeld6700 Yay! One time, I (on a dare...) got all dressed up, big gigantic hair, and took the Boston Subway to the local drag bar,. I entered the Lip Sync contest, sang Taylor Danes "Prove Your Love" and won $50 1st prize! LoL :)
As a Hispanic Colombian Queer Chi Chi Rodriguez has always been my idol
The effort of making the script more "straight - friendly" was worth it. I feel this movie changed so many hearts. This movie had an impact in me and I was a straight 10 years old boy that grew up in Latin America . This movie was transmitted pretty regularly in national open broadcasting here in Argentina. I won't lie, for the old folk it was "haha a man in drag, hilarious", but for the open minded it really touched our hearts with it's universal story of acceptance and family.
EXACTLY!! I remember watching this one and The Full Monty on... canal 13? The one that also transmitted el show creativo and LOVING IT.
In my house it was never a "haha drag" situation but more of a "please child, we want to watch other things too, not this one again for the 100 time"
Did you see the second French Cage aux folles from Michel Serrault? This time it was an espionnage movie where Albin and Renato are stuck with some lost microfilm story. At some moment, Albin is abducted by the evil guys and the police (with Renato) surrounds the place. The bad guys talk about exchanging Albin for a plane and one makes the insulting comment of "You would exchange that for a plane?" Albin sees that they scorn him so he leaves, he can escape since they do not care, and meanwhile Renato wants to go inside to save Albin but the police refuses and push him away ordering him to shut up, so he also acts on his own and goes to save Albin. They both meet and ask each other if they are okay and then they leave together under the gaze of the police and that part was always so sad and so moving. Despite how the world treats them, despite their constant arguing, they both love each other and will face danger for each other. I'm not sure if they made this as a joke since one of the police cries and says: "It's beautiful" and the others look at him weirdly but it is moving. I always got tears in my eyes when I see it, they are such a nice couple. We can see how humane they are and how society treats them badly for no reason but their love conquers all.
@@Realhuman-w8m canal 13 played this one a lot, the other ones you mention I don't remember actually, maybe I was too young?
At the Tonys! You couldn't thank your same-sex partner.... AT THE TONYS 😭
It's WILD, but that was just the "we don't talk about this" climate at the time!
Just think that until 1972 a recipient simply could not mention their same sex partner because being gay was illegal. Admitting being gay could well have resulted in both being arrested.
I was SHOCKED to see footage of audiences at the Tony Awards during the original Hello Dolly! EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THE AUDIENCE IS WHITE. We think we have come so far, but it wasn't so long ago from whence we've come.
This is one of my favorite movies. I didn't know this was rated R and when I watched it with my 12 year old daughter my inlaws got so angry at me. They asked my daughter what she thought the movie was about hoping to get more fuel against me. My daughter told them it was about 2 people who wanted to get married and the parents thought they were too young.
love this ♥️
Your in-laws sound pretty awful. Imagine being angry that you let her watch a movie that teaches about love, tolerance, family & acceptance.
Frankly, I’d be more concerned about their influence on her than this wonderful movie!
*Also how sweet that all she noticed was the parents concern that the kids were too young to marry!
I was 10 when this came out and my parents took my sister and I to see it in theaters. The movie was rated R but they had done their due diligence and looked up why. I remember them explaining to us, “This is rated R, but it only has that rating because it’s about gay men.” I remember the theater being packed and most of the adult jokes went right over my head at the time, lol
I honestly thought it was PG the first time I saw it, when I saw it was R it was really baffling.
Major kudos to your parents ❤️
I was about 6 when it came out and I really liked it. Even though the adult joked absolutely went over my head.
@@KingofCrusher
Show someone chopping bodies in half with a lazer sword. . .PG13
-Show men kiss. . . *R* !!!
I saw Nathan Lane in Forum - there was a moment in the opening number when he confronted a man in drag.
Nathan: "You'd think I never saw a man in a dress before!"
(here the audience broke into loud, spontaneous applause for about 30 seconds)
Nathan: "Thank you for remembering."
The Birdcage (Movie) more than any societal push in media made my parents realize being gay is nothing to be afraid of. My father especially as he grew up around his gay brother and 3 gay cousins. Many men in my family are quite effeminate....as am I. I identify as gender-fluid and pansexual and without the ground work laid by The Birdcage, I might have had a much harder life in my family.
Because Albie's Character is was clearly THE EPITOME OF A METROSEXUAL PANSEXUAL.
SO MANY MEN OF ALL RACES IN AMERICA RIGHT NOW THAT DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND IT'S OKAY TO LIKE WHO YOU LIKE IN TO DRESS AS YOU FEEL AND NOT FEEL LIKE YOUR MASCULINITY IS NOT THERE ITS JUST HAS FLAIR!
THERE'S SO MANY HIGH-MAINTENANCE MASCULINE PANSEXUALS THAT ARE CONTINUALLY LIVING A DISCRETE LIGHT FOR I DON'T KNOW WHY LIKE NO ONE THAT NOTICES THAT YOU LIKE Feminine Queers But some day THEY WILL BE FINE WITH THEMSELVES.
Which version would you recommend? I´m thinking of watching it with a conservative family member
@@ataucei The Movie as it is the most accessible with stars we all grew up with.
@@topfacemod The 1996 version with Robbie Williams?
@@ataucei Yes, indeed.
Harvey Fierstein's "..Life ain't worth a damn.. until you can say hey world, I am what I am..", and Nathan Lane thanking his husband; and people realizing this play/movie is about people-with all the warmth, love, struggles we all face- thanks so much for this Matt. Great job as always.❤
The music and lyrics for the broadway musical Las Cage aux Folles is by Jerry Herman. Harvey Fierstein wrote the book.
I got choked up at the part where Nathan thanked his husband. It's one of those moments we can be proud we've come so far, that fighting for acceptance is worth it 😊
Brilliantly stated
La Cage Aux Folles is iconic here in France, Poiret and Serrault are legends. Thank you for talking about them correctly. I love your videos, and that was a great one. 💖
Its also a film which is (or at least used to be) regularly repeated on german tv and i knew it long before the american remake. still love it and don't even mind the sequel :-)
I saw La Cage 3 times in 2 weeks 'cause my american friends needed a translator in case they couldn't follow the sub-titles. Yet there was no need as the comedic timing was Impeccable, and never replicated in the Bird Cage version.
How I ended up at 19 in Beverly Hills to see La Cage aux Folles is a mystery. It blew me away as it was unique. I returned with friends 17 times to introduce them to the film. It's a brilliant and inspiring story and the actors are burnished in my memory as a young person and now and old one.
glad to hear this....La Cage Aux Folles is one of the great comedy films ever...Poiret and Serrault..deserved Oscars they were so good....
@@danieldumas7361 Question; As this Film was made in France, would you know if Poieret & Serrault were considered for "La Pomme D'Or" ?
I can't imagen the sadness of never being able to say "I want to thank my husband." A person should be able to say that without feeling threatened, and the fact that it might have been the first time in his life he said that on TV at an awards ceremony just makes me want to cry. I have a lot of friends who are parents who are gay, and they've done a perfect job. I hope Bates is watching this, he should know that he's a very strong father and grandfather, and roll model. Love to all.
The sadness of not being able to say I want to thank my husband pales in comparison to the sadness of never having a husband (or anyone) to begin with.
@@Meyerc-yv2bi This is true, but we are talking about the LGBTQ community now. This is a video about the LGBTQ community, and their interaction with straights. We had a family friend who was gay. We kids grew up around Ed and Joe, and we always knew, and they were always amazing men. Ed was a war hero in WWII. Purple heart and medal of honor recipient. A strong, brave, wonderful man, and his partner was very caring and intelligent. They had a more stable relationship than my parents. But they were old queens, and never said they loved each other, in public. Never held hands. This was very harsh, back then, to insist that a whole slew of people could never make normal expressions of affection.
@@Hollylivengood What makes you think I am NOT talking about the LGBTQ community? Again, The sadness of not being able to say I want to thank my husband pales in comparison to the sadness of never having a husband (or anyone) to begin with. What part of that don't you understand?
I saw this movie in a theater. The audience walked out after like we were all friends, the impact it had was amazing. Strangers smiling and talking to each other about what a great movie it was. I actually had to rent it as soon as it was available because we had missed so many of the jokes because the audience was still laughing at the previous joke.
My dad took me to see this in theater when it came out and I was nine. I have no idea why. Maybe he wanted to expose me to gay dads being gay and wholesome. Maybe he just wanted to see the new Robin Williams movie and we were home from school that day. Most of it sailed right over my head, but I loved the drag scenes and the silly hijinks. I understand more now as an adult obviously. Still one of my best memories of my dad ❤️
Matt this was an incredibly touching video. My late grandma told me, after I came out to her, that the Birdcage was one of the things she saw that made her realize she could accept me. I was a little taken aback when she said it at the time but… you captured the kind of impact it could have. Thank you for recording this.
It was wonderful to hear the history of La Cage Aux Folle. My dear friend Benny Luke who passed away in 2013, played Jacob the houseboy in all 3 versions of the La Cage Aux Folle films. When he auditioned, he did a little act a friend of his would do in the Cabaret. He pretended he couldn't walk in shoes. They loved it and that's why it's in the movie! Benny told me so many wonderful stories of that period. I miss him like mad!
UA-camrs like you don't get enough credit for the brilliant clip insert jokes. They're so freaking good and an important characteristic of all you top-notch essayists.
The original movie has a special place in my heart. Eons ago, I lived in LA after college and went to see “La Cage aux Folles” on a first date with a guy I really liked. The movie was in French with English subtitles. I think it was shown in some tiny, long-closed venue in Westwood. I remember this vividly as the audience would erupt in two distinct waves…those of us who understood the French, the second wave of hysteria from those reading the dialogue onscreen. I often wonder whatever happened to my date. I remember he worked in a health food store on Melrose while I am a really big fan of a good steakhouse. So, it probably would have never worked out.
I saw the French version in la too. I was about 12. I think my mom must have already seen it and took me and my sister. We used to go to the club la cage aux folles for special occasions throughout my teens. Did you ever go there?
You should use Facebook to find him, or find a young person to help use other internet tools if need be :)
You may be talking about the Nuart theatre in west LA. I saw it at the Lido Theater in Newport Beach. I loved both versions.
Matt, you’re the chronicler of LGBTQ history we all needed. Thank god for you!
Hear hear. And amen.
Love it and thank you for the historical facts
I unequivocally love The Birdcage. Every line is Instantly iconic. Script, acting, wardrobe, everything is perfect and, surprisingly, is even more relevant in 2023 than ever. Holds up perfectly.
Matt, I just want to thank you, sincerely for your videos. I am a straight, AFAB woman and I am always hoping to learn more about LGBTQ history, culture and issues to hopefully become a better ally and gain greater awareness. You are an incredible story teller and you put so much effort and research into your videos, I have learned so much from you. My parents are fairly conservative and I have been trying for the past few years to educate them about LGBTQ issues the same way you do for me. I am just hoping to open them up to a discussion and challenge their viewpoint. It has been a real blessing to have your videos to point to and I have seen a really heartening change in their attitude and outlook when it comes to anything related to the LGBTQ community.
Edit: I just wanted to make one thing clear, my parents are moderately conservative, however they are certainly not homopobic. In my experience, it’s just a lack of knowledge combined with some outdated views, there is ZERO hatred or bigotry involved. They are wonderful people.
Thanks, I really appreciate it! I'm so glad the videos are helpful.
I was little and watching when Harvey thanked his lover. My father was in the room, behind me, and said ‘what is the world coming to?’ He wasn’t a bad man at all, but it put it into my head that I could never come out. A very dark moment in my life.
During the 1980s, my father made at least one open comment that disparaged gay people with HIV/AIDS. And yet, in 2017, he voted in favour of marriage equality in Australia's postal survey. People can change and learn.
I’m struggling with my parents not accepting that I’m trans, and I needed to hear that I am what I am
You know who you are!
You know better than anyone else who you are, and no ones opinion of you will ever take that away from you. It doesn't make your journey any easier though. I really hope your parents come around and that they're struggling now just because they are mourning the idea of who they thought you were. I really genuinely hope for your continued success and happiness.
I’m sorry to hear that your parents aren’t accepting that you’re trans. You deserve to be happy and accepted and loved.
I am transgender as well and I know how difficult it can be when your parents cannot accept you for the person that you are , but I would also like to say if you ever feel alone just remember there are thousands of transgender people out there willing to lend a shoulder to cry on and help support you emotionally . I wish you all the best and I hope that someday your parents will accept you for the person you truly are
Sending you some love. It's a gift to know who you are.
Okay, "Day of the Dolphin" sounds amazing. I want to see a dolphin assassin.
Especially the "inadvertently"!! How do you inadvertently train a dolphin to assassinate the president!?!?😂
I saw it many years ago-loved it-had no idea it was a flop.
It's crazy how many things are tangentially related to this story. The string of MGM/UA movies was like reading episode titles of How Did This Get Made.
The movie was not well done; the French novel on which it was based was considerably better, albeit with a distinct left-wing slant. At the end, the two dolphin characters escape U.S. military jurisdiction to the freedom of Cuba.
I saw it as a teen and loved it. Mostly because it had a talking dolphin " Fa want Be now". Didn't really care who got blown up as long as it wasn't the dolphins
that they made a documentary of drag shows around Europe and the US so they performers in The Birdcage could create a good side show that was accurate is actually amazing. How awesome.
This is one of those movies that any time it's being offered to watch, I will definitely watch it
In Europe being gay is way more accepted for many decades than in the U.S.
This movie is me and my mom’s “sick day” movie. Whenever I would stay home from school sick as a child, we watched The Birdcage. It holds such a warm place in my heart. ❤
Growing up in France in the 70s/80s, I credit La Cage Aux Folles for making me a lifelong ally. It was truly iconic.
Just a reminder to all that The Birdcage is available for free on UA-cam atm - I just re-watched it! Thanks for the great video and the inspiration 😊
I was hired at a movie theater in high school. The Birdcage was one of the films playing when I began work. I only saw glimpses of what was on the screen while running in and out of the auditorium, and i had no idea what was actually transpiring until much later. I lived in a conservative area, but there were lots of tickets sold and I don’t remember anyone having a problem with it.
I remember in 1984 when they did I Am What I Am on the Grammys. I was 16. That was also the year that Annie Lennox performed in full male drag and Culture Club won best new artist. Boy George made a cheeky comment addressing the United States. "You've got taste, style and you know a good drag queen when you see one". I just remember my uncles were all scandalized about the Grammys that year. It's on UA-cam and worth checking out.
It's not a Matt Baume video until I cry part way into it, I always learn something new. great content as usual!
I almost made it through the video without crying
But the contrast of Fierstein thanking his lover being an act of defiance and Lane thanking his husband hit me
Lane has said he wanted it more obvious that Val saw Albert as a co-parent prior to his engagement, making his sudden embarrassment more of a painful betrayal. He also thought the character should be tougher, revealing how much crap he'd been through in his life as an effeminate openly gay man since Anita and Falwell were in full bloom. However, he didn't have any clout in film yet and the producers were leary to show a gay couple as TOO domestic or a drag queen as too sympathetic for fear of alienating mainstream audiences.
In the end, though, thanks to Nathan's talent those ideas came through in a more subdued but more readily accepted form. His portrayal of Albert was such that even died in the wool bigots get the message. I'm going to get that Nathan Lane has saved many lives and even more souls.
Ah, yes, Anita. Do you know the difference between Anita Bryant and the Panama Canal? The one is a busy ditch....
Saw the American version twice in the theaters. I think I was twelve and there are so many moments still in the present part of my life, that make me think of that movie. I’ve watched the original a couple of times but admittedly not with the same frequency as the remake. Guess I’ll have to take some time out to give it the love and attention it deserves 🖤
Matt, as always, not just a great story, but also incredibly movingly told. As a bi father of a trans kid, your videos are a regular highlight and the passion and joy you show presenting them are a source of great support and encouragement. This one again would have convinced me to join your patreon if I hadn't done so ages ago. ;) Thank you so much, and keep going. (Oh, and please, if possible, do more collabs with Matt Colville. I loved the Twitch stream you did with him on The Last of Sheila and can't wait to see more of my two fav YT Matts!) Lotsa Love!
Ooo is there a recording of that stream?
@@sammartin1972
Here you go:
www.twitch.tv/videos/1685706153 :)
Matt, you are the master storyteller. The second coming of Vitto Russo. The level of research and your love for your topics are sensational.
I saw Le Cage Aux Folles, way before the Birdcage, and refused to watch the Birdcage, thinking it wouldn't be as good. Boy, was I wrong. "I turned my laundry room into an Egyptian discotheque", lol. Only one Thumb up, isn't enough, and shared!
‘Staircase’ reminds me of ‘Vicious’ which is a Sit-Com starring Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi.
Oh yes they're quite similar!
Yesss!!! I love it!!!
I love Vicious. The outakes are hilarious too, because you see how fun the two Dames...I mean, Leads are
The birdcage is my favorite comedy film and my second fav film of all time. It’s the favorite for us to watch as a family. When I was little, in the late 2000’s, I was a kid who loved call of duty and halo, and all the inappropriate homophonic language that came with it. My parents showed me this movie to teach young me that there is nothing wrong with being gay. It’s now a movie we constantly quote. Whenever there’s an awkward silence one of us says “how bout them dolphins?” And any time we go to a wedding or formal event, we all suddenly become Agador, unable to walk.
I still have the VHS of “The Birdcage.” Love that movie.
my mum and dad took their friends to this. the husband didn't know the plot to the film- thought it was just a robin williams comedy- and proceeded to have what my Mum describes as the funniest and most conspicuous homophobic reaction throughout the entire film. He was so uncomfortable but his pride wouldn't let him walk out, so instead he sat there surrounded by the uproariously entertained crowd cringing his way through every scene. Mum said this movie was great but she enjoyed the puerile infantilized tantrum of her friends husband way more.
When I first came out in 1989, my boyfriend sat me down and made me watch La Cage aux Folles (dubbed in English). I still rewatch it now and then (in French) and it remains one of my favourite movies. While I appreciated The Birdcage (it introduced me to Nathan Lane), for me La Cage aux Folles is still my preferred version.
Agreed. The French version was strongly imprinted on me.
What I loved about Birdcage was the way Robin and Nathan honestly talk o each other about how see each other.
In the 90s I was a gender fluid teenager who desperately wanted to be a clown this movie made me feel a brand new kind of happiness and this video has given me ALL the smiles :D Thank You!!
I remember the first time I saw this movie and was amazed there was a world where this went on. Loving Robin Williams, I made it a point to see every movie he had ever stared in after his death, and was surprised at how much I loved this film. Thanks Matt and keep it coming!!
Agreed! 👍 ❤❤❤❤❤
My mother LOVED La Cage, seeing it multiple times on Broadway with both her mother and her grandmother.
When I came out in ‘93 (as a 13yr old, which was young back then) she played me “I Am What I Am” from the soundtrack she kept in the car.
I also remember picking up the Nathan Lane cover edition of The Advocate from my college bookstore and loving that interview.
I was and still am impressed by The Birdcage's opening shot.
I cannot express how much I enjoy your content. It's like when they used to have all the DVD bonus features for movies, but here you've made a bonus features for all iterations, in one hour long documentary format, its wonderful. It's especially refreshing that the style is more documentary feature than a modern UA-cam style. I do enjoy think piece videos from creators even with their sponsor breaks spliced in lol, but its so nice to see a more traditional comprehensive documentary style being presented. And yet you still keep it fun with the meme's thrown in too, I really enjoy it. Not to mention as a lover of gay media getting this quality content for this subject matter is just invaluable. I cannot thank you enough for giving me these videos to learn from and to have to refer to from here on out. I appreciate it so much.
I saw The Birdcage at the cinema in the UK when it was current. As a straight lad in his early 20s I loved it and have always felt it was totally under-appreciated. As always your videos show me a side of the media and culture I'm completely unaware of. Another top quality video.
My brain is currently breaking at the fact there's an Alan Carr and an Allan Carr.
What wild is they kinda look alike too
Loved Williams and Lane in the BirdCage AND all the supporting actors and crew !
I watched THE BIRDCAGE before I came out and loved it. After I came out I rewatched it and loved it even more and related to it and understood it on an emotional level. Thank you for this video about one of my favorite movies. Everyone should see THE BIRDCAGE. I think it was one of Robin’s best roles! I thought he was amazing in this movie!
La Cage aux Folles is a cult movie in France, and The Birdcage is one of the few "American remakes" of French movies that was succesful in France. The French youtuber Meea made a wonderful video about both movies, and if you understand French, you absolutely should see it !
The performance of Robin Williams and Nathan Lane in The Birdcage forever changed my outlook on life. I was raised a Catholic, in a conservative family in the 1980s. Going back and learning all that was going on behind the scenes was incredibly touching. I absolutely LOVE this movie!
Also, completely unrelated, I cannot look at Wesley Snipes anymore without seeing Noxema. The love that these actors can put into their characters can completely turn hearts. I hope they never forget that.
One of my most favourite movies and I've adored Nathan Lane since. He appears - comes across - as a decent thoughtful humble passionate man, and I think he's wonderful. rip our dear Robin Williams 😢
I was lucky enough to meet both of them as a college kid working at a theater in San Francisco. Just wanted to confirm that your assumptions are absolutely, one hundred percent correct. Side note: Martin Short is a douche bag and Nathan Lane was a gem next to him.
The Birdcage, as well as all the birds in that cage - have inspired me since they first came out - to come out myself. At 88, I know now that to be yourself is the best gift you can ever give to yourself. Thank you -- all of you.
Thanks Mr Baume for another wonderful trip down the rainbow brick road. I got so choked up when Nathan was able to thank his husband in his speech. 🌈 Fun fact: our Aussie stop-motion creator of _Harvie Krumpet_ made history back in 2004. At the Academy Awards, Adam Elliot thanked his boyfriend, becoming the first Oscar winner to thank their same sex partner.
I recall bursting with such pride and awe at the time.
I've met him a couple of times & he was such a lovely man. I encourage you all to seek out his work 🤓
The original French movie was so funny and original, far better in French with subtitles than the English overdubbed version. When the American film came out I thought no way it was going to be as funny, but I was wrong. Glad it got made, glad it was a success, glad it reverberated with a wide audience. Thanks for the background, thanks for the telling and for weaving all the complexities into cogent explanations.
The birdcage is one of my favourite films and learning all this history is just fascinating
To Wong Foo, The Birdcage and Victor Victoria. Loved seeing these growing up 😊💜💜💜
This video is so wonderful. It brings back so many memories of growing up and finding myself in the nineties - good and bad. It was a tough time but there was such a sense of loyalty and camaraderie that developed. I still tear up when I hear “We Are Family” 🥹 and I will always treasure The Birdcage for portraying the struggle and humor and beauty of queer people and families. Thank you so much! ❤
I’ve never done a Patreon before, but I think I’m going to have to now. Anyone that puts Arrested Development clips into their video deserves my support.
One of your best videos yet. The phrase "putting rouge on the corpse of MGM" is going to stick with me a long time!
I saw the Franco-Italian version of La Cage aux Folles with Michel Serrault and Ugo Tognazzi in the early eighties. There were also 2 follow-ups and the trio have been my all-time favourite comedies since then, although I must confess that the first episode is decidedly the best.
Oh Matt ! You are doing such amazing work recording our history. This was so so so well done ! It made me smile and cry ! Thank you !
Agreed! 👍 😊😊❤❤❤
These are excellent. You're helping to educate many people who grew up with zero awareness of gay people, culture and lifestyles. 💯
I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s and remember quite well how rare gay rep was, especially good gay rep. I cry at the end of every one of your videos. Takes me back.
I have honestly been contemplating on my decision to enter in a Pride Pageant for DeLand. I had a "friend" tell me "what the hell dude" on my post announcment on Instagram. I was afraid of people saying rude things to me. I wondered if I was making a mistake running for the Mister category. Somehow I stumbled on this video and the last part of your video hit me hard. Hearing Nathan Lane and Harvey Fierstein say, I got one life, I am what I am was just what I needed at the moment. With all the hate happening in my beautiful state of Florida, I need to stand up and make my voice heard even though this is such a tough time to be LGBTQ+. Thank you for this video. I freaking love The Birdcage and this brought so much insight to the process and makes me love the film even more. I totally need to see La Cage Aux Folles. It's been on my Queer Cinema List for a while and I need to give it a go. Keep teaching us and inspiring us Matt.
I always end up tearing up a bit at these video about all the insanely brave people who've made it possible for me to live in the world today openly, and contributed to my love of movies. It's incredibly inspiring. Thank you as always for making these videos they're such a bright spot for me whenever I see you've uploaded :')
The first time I saw "The Birdcage" was on a flight back home from a family vacation in Orlando as a teen; everyone on the flight was laughing. It's remained a comfort movie and I can recite the lines from memory. This was such a great documentary Matt!
Loving the longer-form content! This has been a comfort movie for me since I was a kid
Thanks so much for this history of the Birdcage. This has been my favorite film for the longest time - it was a wonderful companion to my own coming out.
It was one of those movies that I never get tired of watching repeatedly.
The french movie is AMAZING, one of my favorites. A MUST SEE.
I took my grandmom and my 7 year old daughter to see the Birdcage in rural Ohio in 1997. I'd seen La Cage so I knew the plot. The theater employees were giving me side eye for taking a child and a senior citizen to an R rated movie. We all loved it. Afterwards, I'm thinking why was it rated R? I don't think there's one curse word, no nudity or sex, just good clean fun and laughs.
The back story you offer here has given me an appreciation for how much individuals have gone through to bring this cultural hit to us gay and straight. Having been one of the lucky young people to see the original La Cage aux Folles in Beverly Hills in the 70s I didn't realize the length and struggles it took to bring this great story to a general audience.
Cineplex used to have a week or two in the year where they’d show old movies. For a millennial film nerd, getting to see movies I missed in theatres like Blazing Saddles, Ghostbusters, Jaws and Monty Python and the Holy Grail were an amazing experience. (And the Kill Bill double feature. Maaaan that was a good night.)
They included the Birdcage a couple years after Robin Williams died and getting to go see it with my mom, being out, and really enjoy it, was a hell of an experience.
I saw La Cage Aux Folles with my parents last week, and we were all crying in the end
Middle aged straight uk mum here and I always loved the birdcage film but didn't know the full story so this was fascinating. Thank you. Also I just love Harvey fierstein and love that he still thanked scott!! .
I've watched The Celluloid Closet 50 million times and JUST understood an editing decision... there's a moment where a dour Arthur Laurents condemns all early film portrayals of 'The Sissy' type as unfunny and demeaning. Cut to Harvey Fierstein sheepishly, coyly admitting: *"... I like the sissy."* He knew it wasn't great representation, but it was campy, fun, and to him, better than being invisible.
I can see both perspectives and both should be valued, but it does shed some light on Arthur's directing choices, banishing any element that could be associated with The Sissy in an attempt to win over The Enemy. Very interesting to consider, thank you again for your deep dive on this Matt!
I know exactly the moment you mean. I've always sided with Harvey on that.
That is pretty interesting; there's a good point that problematic representations can still have fans. My take is that it sucks if it's the only representation out there. But as part of a kaleidoscope of representations, it's all good. But that's also true of representations that are less problematic on the surface level: if every gay representation just showed us as just incredibly 'masculine' and 'serious' (for lack of better words) then it would still be typecasting and miss out the reality.
You're right that it really explains a lot of his directing choices, and it is an interesting position for him to take.
I grew up repeat watching la cage aux folles! I haven’t seen it in so long - going to go try and watch it again.
I remember there being a revival of La Cage Aux Folles at one point and my mom, who religiously watched the Tony Awards, wouldn't let me or my siblings watch the number in the awards show from that musical. Apparently we could watch Gypsy on repeat, but not that one.
This is an excellent video. I have not seen the American version, only the French "La Cage aux Folles" which is one of my all-time favourite films, with those wonderful, lovable actors, Michel Serault and Ugo Tognazi. La Cage aux Folles is the champagne of comedy and humanity. Thank you for this richly informative video!
The opening sequence of _The Birdcage_ is one of the most iconic I've ever seen. Loved it on first viewing... and should watch it again soon.
I didn't know Nathan Lane was not well known before Birdcage. He was beyond perfect somehow.
Robin Williams, gone way too soon, absolute tragedy. I imagine he'd be most proud of this role, for the meaningful impact. He also was perfect. Couldn't have been better.
I remember seeing The Birdcage when it was first released and no lie I laughed so hard so many times my gut hurt by the end of the movie. First and only time that's ever happened.
The Birdcage was one of my mom's favorite movies - and I remember her and my younger brother (who had sat down and watched them with her at home) loved to quote it to each other randomly.
I remember their shock when I told them I didn't understand the references because I hadn't seen it, so they had me sit down and watch it with them, and I fell in love with it.
To this day I can still quote whole chunks of the movie by memory, and I was lucky enough to introduce it to my husband (who is actually from Miami) and now the two of us have a tradition of quoting it to each other randomly in our day to day lives.
Matt your way of telling this story and every video you do is a true treat. Thank you.
You said "1989 Ocsars" and I yelled back at the screen,. "Oh no!" Haha!
As a foreign exchange student in France I was (probably) one of the few Americans who saw the original play of La Cage at the Palais Royal in 1973. One of the more "unrevealing" and "fun" differences between the play and the film was a much longer time in the play where the audience assumed Laurent was Renato's lover and not his/their son.
The number of random bad movies referenced in this video that I've never heard of is an accomplishment in itself, I have a lot to look up lol.
Go dolphin assassin!
My mom and I saw the play on Broadway. We loved it.
Matt your video couldn't have come at a better time I just found out that my name change has been denied for really stupid reasons so I have been really down lately , but I'm pretty sure a video from you about the BIRDCAGE will will lift my spirits so thank you so much
Damn, I'm sorry. I hope you get it sorted.
@@RaverHates I should be able to it will just take about 5 more months so fingers crossed it works this time
I'm so sorry you've hit such a hurdle.
Sorry
thank you for all the messages but I would just like to say there's no reason for any of you to say sorry unless you were secretly The Mastermind behind this . honestly I don't want people to feel sorry for me
I was in the audience in Boston that evening . It was magical indeed !
This is one of my favorite all time movies. It sucks that what started off as a parody of conservatism in this movie became the real thing. 30 years ago, Gene Hackman wouldn't have been elected. And I love that Albert, the effeminate drag queen is the hero here, playing Val's mom and that Armand and Val kind of come off like assholes for trying to be heteronormative.
51:31
Wow, it only takes one word to recognize the voice of Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella).
Thank you so much for making this. I loved every minute of it. This movie/musical has been a part of my life since the moment my French teacher introduced me to La Cage in Junior high. I was delighted when it was made into The Birdcage. I ended up doing a report on Mike Nichols films in college, and most of it revolved around the film, with an emphasis on found family. Last year I talked about "I Am What I Am" on my friends podcast during his Pride Month shows about Queer artists in music. Needless to say, this all spoke to my soul.
I happened across this movie in ‘96 when I was helping my sister doing laundry at the Supermat in homophobic brooklyn in the mid 90s. It was showing at the laundromats big screen and me and my sister both fell down laughing. Never judge a book by its cover. 👍🏼