The Celluloid Closet
Synopsis
Exuberant, eye-opening movie that serves up a dazzling hundred-year history of the role of gay men and lesbians have had on the silver screen. Film contains fabulous footage from 120 films showing the changing face of cinema sexuality, from cruel stereotypes to covert love to the activist triumphs of the 1990s.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
The Celluloid Closet Trailer
Type: Trailer • Published 2010-02-08
Top Cast
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Lily Tomlin
Narrator (voice)
Tony Curtis
Self
Susan Sarandon
Self
Gore Vidal
Self
Whoopi Goldberg
Self
Antonio Fargas
Self
Shirley MacLaine
Self
John Schlesinger
Self
Armistead Maupin
Self
Arthur Laurents
Self
Tom Hanks
Self
Farley Granger
Self
Quentin Crisp
Self
Harry Hamlin
Self
Sharon Stone
Self
Susie Bright
Self
Mart Crowley
Self
Jay Presson Allen
Self
Release History & Theatrical Window
Toronto International Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
March 15, 1996
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
Undisclosed
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$1.4M
Total global ticket sales
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman
- Screenplay & Story
- Vito Russo, Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman, Sharon Wood, Armistead Maupin
- Original Score
- Carter Burwell
- Original Title
- The Celluloid Closet
- Country of Origin
- France, Germany, United Kingdom, United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 42m
- Worldwide Gross
- $1.4M
- Production Studios
- ZDF, ARTE, Brillstein-Grey Entertainment, HBO, Telling Pictures, Channel 4 Television
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman
Vito Russo, Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman, Sharon Wood, Armistead Maupin
Carter Burwell
Nancy Schreiber
Jeffrey Friedman, Arnold Glassman
Bernie Brillstein, Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman, Brad Grey, Sheila Nevins
Department Leadership Roster
Rob Epstein
Director
Jeffrey Friedman
Director
Carter Burwell
Original Music Composer
Nancy Schreiber
Director of Photography
Jeffrey Friedman
Editor
Arnold Glassman
Editor
Rob Epstein
Producer
Jeffrey Friedman
Producer
Caroline Spry
Producer
Scott Chambliss
Production Design
Armistead Maupin
Writer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
Tous publics — Universal audience.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Celluloid Closet.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring The Celluloid Closet.
LGBTQ+
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B Gardens
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(Movies) LGBTQ Themes
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(Movies) Documentaries
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Celluloid Closet
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Celluloid Closet about?
Exuberant, eye-opening movie that serves up a dazzling hundred-year history of the role of gay men and lesbians have had on the silver screen. Film contains fabulous footage from 120 films showing the changing face of cinema sexuality, from cruel stereotypes to covert love to the activist triumphs of the 1990s.
Who directed The Celluloid Closet?
The Celluloid Closet was directed by Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman.
Who stars in The Celluloid Closet?
The principal cast of The Celluloid Closet includes Lily Tomlin, Tony Curtis, Susan Sarandon, Gore Vidal, Whoopi Goldberg.
When was The Celluloid Closet released and how long is it?
The Celluloid Closet was released in 1996 with a total runtime of 1h 42m.
How much did The Celluloid Closet make at the box office?
The Celluloid Closet grossed $1.4M in worldwide ticket sales.
Who composed the musical score for The Celluloid Closet?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Celluloid Closet was composed by Carter Burwell.
What is the age rating and content advisory for The Celluloid Closet?
The Celluloid Closet holds official age classifications: FR: U (Tous publics — Universal audience.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).