Gay Cinema 101: Ten Movies You Can't Miss

In honor of Derek's book Colonnade: A Life In Columns (a collection of his FantasyMan Island columns along with his own recollections of his first two years in Manhattan) now being available for the Kindle, we thought it would be a good time to check out some of the other columns he wrote around that time.
A few months after the start of Derek and Romaine on Sirius Radio back in 2003, Derek wrote the following column recommending essential movies for gay men to see. Since it often comes up with Steve Hayes, Tired Old Queen at the Movies, or Hedda Lettuce join the show, his essential list is reprinted here.

Gay Cinema 101: Ten Movies You Can't Miss

August 15, 2003 - There is a newly out intern down at my Sirius radio show. At my recent summer party (A Midsummer's Day's Debauchery!), some of my guests were shocked to discover that Bobby Intern, as we call him, hadn't seen the recent Oscar winner and instant gay classic, Chicago.

Longtime FantasyMan Island reader Paul suggested that I create a list of the 10 essential movies that all gay people must see in order to graduate into full-fledged homosexuality. I couldn't bring myself to list just 10, and I am certain that you have additional suggestions. Feel free to send them along. However, I think this list should cover it for most people. So, without further ado: Bobby Intern (and all you other boys out there just like him), this column is just for you.

Holiday Movie Picks from Derek and Steve Hayes!

Steve Hayes, Tired Old Queen At The Movies dropped by the show to talk about his favorite holiday movies. Here are some of them:

Miracle on 34th Street (Special Edition) The 1947 version with Edmund Gwenn and a young Natalie Wood is the first and best version of the classic story of a young girl who doesn't believe in Santa Claus and the department store employee who believes that he is.

Meet Me In St. Louis (Two-Disc Special Edition)
This Judy Garland classic follows a year in the changing life of a family at the turn of the century in St. Louis in the seasons leading up to the World's Fair. The film contains the holiday classic "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" in one of the great holiday scenes ever filmed.

Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory - ABC Stage 67 (l966)
This is Steve Hayes' favorite holiday film, rare and made for TV in the 1960s. Based on writer Truman Capote's adventures as a child.

It's a Wonderful Life (60th Anniversary Edition)
The Jimmy Stewart classic about a down on his luck man who gets to see what his life would be like if he had never been born. Guaranteed to make you cry!

Holiday Inn (Special Edition) & White Christmas (Anniversary Edition)
The original launched the song "White Christmas" which was the biggest selling song of all time for fifty years. The splashing big color sequel of sorts White Christmas is splashy and kinda gay. Is that a drag version of the song Sisters? Yes! Also includes current DNR favorite classic song: Snow!





Christmas in Connecticut
This Barbara Stanwyck classic is Derek's favorite holiday film. Dennis Morgan is a sailor who dreams of spending Christmas with America's domestic diva Barbara Stanwyck, only she is a fake living in a tiny Manhattan apartment. Can this regular gal fake her way through a very Martha Christmas? Wonderful fun.


Midnight (Universal Cinema Classics)
It isn't a Christmas movie, but it is one of Derek's top ten favorite films of all time. And it is Steve Hayes' pick this week for his Tired Old Queen At The Movies series. Looking for a fun holiday gift this year? Midnight is a film to love!