The Gay Deceivers
The Gay Deceivers is a 1969 gay-themed comedy film directed by Bruce Kessler. The film, which has a twist ending, derives much of its humor through the use of stereotypes. According to gay film historian Vito Russo in his book The Celluloid Closet, co-star Michael Greer, who played the flamboyantly gay Malcolm and who was himself gay, tried to work with the screenwriter and director to minimize the negativity of the characterization and present Malcolm in a positive light.[2]
| The Gay Deceivers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Bruce Kessler |
| Produced by | Joe Solomon |
| Written by | Gil Lasky (story) Abe Polsky (story) Jerome Wish |
| Starring | Kevin Coughlin Brooke Bundy Lawrence P. Casey Jo Ann Harris Michael Greer |
| Music by | Stu Phillips |
| Cinematography | Richard C. Glouner |
| Edited by | Reg Browne Renn Reynolds |
| Distributed by | Fanfare Films Inc. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 97 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
The Gay Deceivers follows Danny and Elliot, two friends who try to get out of the draft by pretending to be gay. They're placed under surveillance by the Army and have to keep up the pretense. They move into a gay apartment building and try to blend in with the residents, all the while trying to maintain their romantic relationships with women and not get caught by the Army.
The twist is that even after the pair is caught, they are not inducted into the military. The Army investigators assigned to watch them are themselves gay and are trying to keep straight people out of the Army.
Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Kevin Coughlin | Danny Devlin |
| Brooke Bundy | Karen |
| Lawrence P. Casey (Larry Casey) | Elliot Crane |
| Jo Ann Harris | Leslie Devlin |
| Michael Greer | Malcolm |
| Sebastian Brook | Craig |
| Jack Starrett | Colonel Dixon |
| Richard Webb | Mr. Devlin |
| Eloise Hardt | Mrs. Devlin |
| Jeanne Baird | Mrs. Conway |
| Michael Kopcha | Psychiatrist |
| Joe Tornatore | Sergeant Kravits |
| Robert Reese | Real Estate Agent |
| Christopher Riordan | Duane |
| Douglas Hume | Corporal |
| David Osterhout | Stern |
| Marilyn Wirt | Sybil |
| Ron Gans | Freddie |
| Rachel Romen | Dorothy |
| Tom Grubbs | Paul |
| Louise Williams | Bunny |
| Randee Lynne Jensen | Sheryl |
| Meridith Williams | Phil |
| Harry Sodoni | Georgette |
| Leonore Stevens | Laverne |
| Trigg Kelly | Jacki |
| Tony Epper | Vince |
| Anthony De Longis | (uncredited) |
| Jonathan Kramer | Gay neighbor dating army officer (uncredited) |
| Candice Rialson | Girl in bikini (uncredited) |
Production
It was the film debut of Candice Rialson.[3]
Release
The film opened in Atlanta and San Francisco on July 2, 1969.[4][1]
Home media
The Gay Deceivers was released on Region 1 DVD on May 2, 2000.
References
- The Gay Deceivers at the American Film Institute Catalog
- Russo, Vito. The Celluloid Closet. Harper & Row, ISBN 0060908718, pg. 186
- Vagg, Stephen (November 26, 2019). "The Cinema of Exploitation Goddess Candice Rialson". Diabolique Magazine.
- "'Deceivers' Dual Preem". Variety. July 2, 1969. p. 5.