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Amos Lassen wrote on 02/19/2010:

"Dinah East"

The Way it Was

Amos Lassen

We finally have a chance to see "Dinah East", a film some of you may have heard about. "Dinah" is coming to us remastered and it is one of the movies that should be see if, for no other reason, than to get a look at the way things were and to see how far we have come.
Made in 1970 "Dinah East" is an entertaining look at what was considered "taboo-breaking subject matter". It looks like an exploitation film but it is so much more than that. It is a multi-flawed yet fascinating look at the film industry when it first approached a theme of homosexuality and gender roles.
The movie is, without question, exploitive. It has good looking actors in sex scenes but there is a serious side to it and that is the way it treats its transgender character, Dinah, with respect. It also explores what happens when someone conceals his true identity. There is camp here and the gay characters seem to be almost stereotypical but this is a film that has a great deal to say. There are dramatic elements and the movie rises above the usual exploitation schlock we once had. It has the look of docudrama is it relates to the life of Dinah East, an actress, who is discovered to be male after his (her) death. I have also learned that the reason that this movie has not been seen for a very long time is because Mae West instituted legal action against it shortly after it was released because of the rumors that she was actually a man.
"Dinah West" is a movie that was way ahead of its time. It is a wonderful look at what Hollywood was in those days. Jeremy Stockwell is Dinah and he portrays her with warmth and dignity. His performance is a multi-layered and quite good. The rest of the cast, including ex-Warhol superstar, Ultra Violet, are also very good.
There are some excellent scenes here unlike in most exploitation films. The cinematography leaves a lot to be desired but with the new digital transfer, I am hoping that it will be much clearer. With its release on DVD, "Dinah East" may very well become a classic of gay cinema.