Documentary on the making of the landmark gay play "The Boys in the Band". There's extensive interview footage of Matt Crowley talking about what got him to write it and how he got it into production. They also interview William Friedken about the making of the movie. There's also interviews with other playwrights or gay personalities about the play and movie.Interesting but uneven. It's supposedly about the play and movie but there's way too much footage about Crowley talking about his private life. Also they never mention the failed sequel from Crowley called "The Men From the Boys". Also at times it turns into a time capsule of what gay life was like in the 1960s. It's not uninteresting but very confusing at times. So it's worthwhile but uneven.

The parts of this movie that tell about the gay world before and after the production of the play and then the movie The Boys in the Band - and the broad range of reactions to them within the gay world - are interesting and meaningful. Unfortunately, those parts make up something less than half of the movie.Most of the movie is about Mart Crowley, who wrote the play, and he's whiny, self-centered, and not interesting at all. With the luck that guy had - a pampered Southern Belle who somehow became the toast of Hollywood and Natalie Wood's best friend and then wrote a groundbreaking play despite his total lack of interest in anything or anybody but himself - he should be thanking God instead of whining.I can think of many things I'd rather do with an hour than spend it watching and listening to Mart Crowley. The other parts of this movie really are interesting though, and they make the Crowley parts just bearable. Celebrity queens may love the Crowley parts even though I didn't.

It is interesting to not that The Boys In The Band , essentially the first play 100% about " out " gay male men in the New York theater written from an " inside " perspective , rather got split on the barre of history .When it opened , as said above , it was considered radical - Then , by the time the movie came out , Stonewall had happened , and some gays considered it to " self-loathing " , refelecting as it did the pre-Stonewall world .What was this " Bette Davis Show " , a TV pilot ( I assume ) that we see clips of , that Mart did a - credied - rewrite on ? It is not listed , either her nor under Bette .Presumably it was never shown publicaly/officially ?The veracity of " Judy's funeral inspired the Stonewall fightback " has been argued back & forth...

It was a real pleasure to see this documentary, and be made aware of the rich history the lgbt community experienced in the 60s and 70s. "The Boys in the Band" emerged as truly a watershed moment in this human rights legacy.What a treat to see the playwright, Mart Crowley, be given such a prominent place in the film. His sharing is most insightful and comprehensive. Likewise revealing are the contributions of Playwrights Edward Albee, Tony Kushner, and Terrance McNally. Director of the original film, William Friedkin, also offered many pointed comments.Actor Robert Wagner, the then husband of Actress Natalie Wood, relayed the close connection he and Wood had with Crowley, and that it was indeed Natalie's encouragement that helped Crowley get his professional career going.There are many fascinating clips from the original stage and film cast, and several are interviewed today, with uninhibited revelations. That this play opened on the night of Judy Garland's funeral ceremony, and that its performance history paralleled the Stonewall Riots made for most compelling history.A documentary to be seen several times.