Wonderland Burlesque's Let's Go To The Movies: All That Is Gay Edition- Part 3 of 6

Wonderland Burlesque's 

Let's Go To The Movies

All That Is Gay Edition- Part 3 of 6

As explained previously, last month was Gay Pride Month - and I had planned to do these posts to honor that celebration - but due to timing, and the previous series of posts running long, I'm not getting to these until now. Oh, well... it's not like gay pride is only for one month. No, it's a lifelong thing. So, let's keep celebrating!

For a second week, we find Hollywood going all gay in a very man-about-town kind of way. Yes, most of these films are gay in name only, but... isn't it it the thought that counts?

Let's take a look...

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The Gay Lord Waring

1916

(A titled Lord accidentally seriously injures a young heiress in a riding accident. Since his title is his only asset, he turns to younger brother, a scoundrel, and asks to borrow money in order to pay for the young women's medical needs. His younger brother, who has amassed quite a fortune, agrees, but on one condition - if, for any reason, the loan is not repaid in six months time, the older brother must commit suicide so the younger brother can inherit his title. As time draws near to pay the loan, the titled Lord has failed to raise the cash, but - just as he is about to take his own life - a fire breaks out at the heiress's estate. Fearing for her life, for he has grown quite fond of her, the titled Lord makes his way to the mansion. The younger brother is also alerted and rushes to the scene. However, on the way, the younger brother is thrown from his horse and is killed. The titled Lord arrives at the house in time to save the young heiress, whose father is eternally grateful. The titled Lord, who inherits his deceased brother's fortune, is now able to woo the young heiress with confidence.)

   

(The Gay Lord Waring is a lost silent film, directed by Otis Turner and stars J. Warren Kerrigan, Lois Wilson and Bertram Grassby.)

Lois Wilson

(Lois Wilson was an actress who worked during the silent film era. She also directed two short films and was a scenario writer. In 1915, she won a beauty contest put on by Universal Studios and the Birmingham News. This pageant was the predecessor to the Miss Alabama/Miss America pageant system, and Wilson is considered the first Miss Alabama. She then moved to California and became an actress. In 1916, while visiting Chicago, she met pioneer female film director Lois Weber, who gave her a small part in her film starring famed ballerina Anna Pavlova. Weber and Wilson then returned to Hollywood, where she was groomed for stardom, appearing opposite some of the hottest male stars of the time. Her career included 150 films. Her final film was with Ronald Reagan in 1949, after which she became a mainstay on television soap operas - The Guiding Light, The Secret Storm, and The Edge Of Night.)

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The Gay Lord Quex

1919

(A titled Lord has spent his life romancing some of the most beautiful women in the world. When he finally falls in love with a young heiress, she resists his advances, for his reputation proceeds him. The Lord persists and she eventually agrees to marry him, though she still has feelings for a fortune-hunting womanizer. When the heiress learns that her fiancée has remained in contact with a former paramour, a titled Duchess who is in league with the fortune-hunting womanizer, the young heiress turns to her former love, agreeing to meet him at a manicure shop owned by her best friend. Recognizing the womanizer for what he is, the best friend flirts openly with him so that when the heiress arrives, she finds them in each other's arms. With open eyes, the heiress returns home, knowing that the titled Lord is the man for her.)

  

(Based on the 1899 play, The Gay Lord Quex, by the British writer Arthur Wing Pinero, this lost 1919  silent comedy was directed by Harry Beaumont and stars Tom Moore, Gloria Hope, and Naomi Childers.)

  

(This film is lost and has not been seen by anyone since the 1920's.)

(There are actually four filmed versions of this story: 1917, 1919, 1938, 1947.)

Tom Moore.

(Tom Moore was an actor and director, who appeared in at least 186 films from 1908 to 1954 and directed seventeen. Frequently cast as the romantic lead, he starred in silent movies as well as in some of the first talkies. He married silent film star Alice Joyce and they had a daughter, Alice Moore, who appeared opposite her father in six films.)

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Gay Diplomat

(1931)

(An American diplomat arrives in Bucharest to capture a seductive female spy. However, he encounters many women who fit her description - all of whom cause this government official to question his loyalty and allegiance.)

(Based on the original story, Strange Women, written by Ivan Lebedeff and Benn W. Levy, this romantic drama was directed by Richard Boleslawski and stars Lebedeff, Genevieve Tobin and Betty Compson.  Working titles included: Strange Women, Woman Pursued and Kisses By Command.)

(Henry Hobart, the original production supervisor was so upset by the film's inadequacies and by Lebedeff's lack of star quality that he walked off the project. The filmmakers were very aware that the picture was an utter disaster from the start, and were stunned when audience preview cards came back raving about the talents of leading man Ivan Lebedeff, comparing him to Rudolph Valentino. Later the powers that be discovered that Lebedeff had stolen the cards and written all the comments himself. In the end, this was RKO's lowest-grossing film of the year, losing the studio $115,000 - $1.8M in 2018.)

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The Gay Vagabond

(1941)

(Twin brothers, residents of a small town, couldn't be more different; one is and introvert who has never left home while the other travels the world in search of adventure. When the adventurer suddenly reappears, having spent time in China, the identity of the two brothers become confused. Shenanigans ensue, ultimately resulting in the introverted of the two rising to a prominent position in his hometown.) 

 

(This comedy was directed by William Morgan and stars Roscoe Karns, Ruth Donnelly, Ernest Truex, Margaret Hamilton, Abner Biberman and Bernadene Hayes.)

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Gay Blades

(1946)

(A  washed-up New York hockey player who hopes to become an architect is approached by a beautiful Hollywood talent scout who wants to cast him as the lead hunk in a major motion picture. However, the former hockey player would much prefer she quit her job and become his wife. Smitten with the woman, he follows her Hollywood, just to be near her.)

(This comedy was directed by George Blair and stars Allan Lane, Jean Rogers, Edward Ashley, Frank Albertson, Ann Gillis and Robert Armstrong.)

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The Gay Intruders

(1948)

(A bickering pair of theatrical stars, at the suggestion of their fed up agent, turn to psychiatry in the hopes of saving their personal and professional relationship. The husband and wife, unbeknownst to the other, begin seeing separate therapists, keeping it a secret from the other. When both therapists wish to observe the couple at home, the husband introduces his therapist as an old college friend, while the wife passes hers off as her sister. Misunderstandings arise, but progress is made and the couple discovers how wonderful it is to say nice things to each other. But more complications arrive, when the agent shows up with a script about a tempestuous wife with a cad for a husband. When the pair refuse to do the play and the agent accuses the psychiatrists of ruining the best acting duo in the country. However, once doctors' true identities are revealed, the husband and wife denounce each other, and, much to the delight of the agent, the play is back on!)

(This comedy was directed by Ray McCarey and stars John Emery, Tmara Geva, Leif Erickson, and Roy Roberts. It served as McCarey's final film.)

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And that's all for now.

Tune in next week.

Same time, same channel.

Ur So Gay - Katy Perry