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Review

The Meat Rack - This pre-porn find is an intriguing drama about the sordid life of a young bisexual man "forced" into male prostitution. First seen hitchhiking to San Francisco and immediately being picked up by a salivating older man, the curly-haired, tight-jeaned J.C. (David Calder) proves to be an interesting case study of alienation and sexual denial/confusion. Much like Joe Buck in Midnight Cowboy and Joe Dallesandro in Flesh, J.T. embarks on a fees-paying sexual odyssey, hooking up with a variety of clients, all of whom are seen in less than flattering light. J.T.'s only glimmer of happiness is offered when he falls in love with innocent Jane (Donna Troy); but like all such urban tales of life on the fringe, his happiness is only fleeting. A little heavy-handed in the moralistic "woe is me the homosexual" angle, this time capsule is nonetheless watchable and, at times, eye-opening.

Sticks and Stones - Made in the same period as Lonesome Cowboys, Song of the Loon, Meatrack and The Boys in the Band, this hilarious independent feature has been unaccountably lost…until now! Despite poor sound, an amateurish filmmaking style and a now camp quality, Sticks and Stone will delight anyone interested in early gay cinema. The setting is Cherry Grove Fire Island where Peter and Buddy, two handsome, tanned, shirtless but bickering lovers, are preparing for their annual Fourth of July party. Mamma's boy Peter (who looks like a cute young version of Ted Koppel) is angry that playwright Buddy is on a sex-and-booze rampage fueled by the failure of his play. But it doesn't stop the parade of outrageous New Yorkers who arrive at their place. In attendance are the swishiest group of homos you'll ever meet! There is a middle-aged leather/rubber queen; a gay hippie who babbles philosophy incessantly while a gorgeous, near-naked stud hornily listens; a super-nellie blond show tune lover; a biker with a Prince Albert; a nerdy kid who nearly has a heart attack in the presence of so many "weirdoes"; and even two lesbians, femme and super-butch, of course. Clothes are shed, song sung, tears flow and bitchy witticisms are tossed about like countless midgets at a bikers' gathering. A not-to-be-missed scene involves two limp-wristed boys and their valiant attempts at changing a flat tire: oh, Mary! A camp classic.