MovieChat Forums > Can't Stop the Music (1980) Discussion > A little story about this movie

A little story about this movie

posted 20 years ago by drumwolf
21 replies | jump to latest

I live in San Francisco and I have a supervisor at work whom I'll call "Jose," who is a gay man in his fifties.

Today I said that I recently saw "Can't Stop the Music," and Jose told me he was actually in the crowd in the club where they filmed the live performance scenes at the end of the movie, which took place in SF. What he told me was that they wouldn't allow any gay male couples in the audience, only hetero couples.

Jose's story confirmed the extent to which the people making this movie tried to whitewash the Village People's gayness and pass them off as straight guys. I noticed it myself while watching the movie, and they even discuss it on the DVD's text commentary. And most of the reviews here on IMDB talk about it.

It was completely misguided, but then again, so was just about everything else about this incompetently executed mess of a movie.

[–] vpcowboy1 20 years ago

Your opinion of this film is your opinion. However your relative comment: "that they wouldn't allow any gay male couples in the audience, only hetero couples", from your 'supervisor' whom you call "Jose" is entirely untruthful and incorrect. This may be his memory, but it is NOT correct. I know this because I appear in this film. I can testify from being present at the shooting of the SF Galleria/final concert scenes that all manner of couples and individuals were present in the audience. I KNOW this. I know this because I appear on the stage performing and I looked into the eyes of the audience for two days and MANY hours of shooting this scene...not only when the cameras were rolling but for camera run-thrus as well as long periods of just standing around and shmoozing and chatting with the audience. I KNOW this because many of my gay friends(singles AND couples)from SF, LA, and from as far away as NYC, Paris and Australia were IN the audience. I socialized with them between takes. As is apparent in the film CSTM, the audience was indeed incredibly diverse and having a great party as were we. Perhaps there is a valid reason for "Jose's" 'memory' of the event but it is NOT correct. My question is this: "Was 'Jose' actually IN the audience for the filming of the SF Galleria/final concert scenes?".

[–] free2brb 20 years ago

Your response is definitely correct, vpcowboy. I was in attendance at the filming of the Galleria concert scenes and my partner and I had a great time. Of course I knew the Village People were to be the center of the activity, but I was impressed by the many other celebrities who were there such as Ashford and Simpson, and the Ritchie Family. Many of the men in the audience (myself included) wore outfits/costumes derived from the Village People's styles. I can also say I am on camera in the final scene, though you have to watch closely to get the glimpse of me in my construction gear. I would be surprised if "Jose" was even in San Francisco during this memorable event.

[–] 20 years ago

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[–] dim_sumus 18 years ago

So the final scene was really filmed at the Galleria in SF? I'm surprised. I figured that they used a sound stage in Hollywood and decorated it to look like a disco club with a performance stage.

I mean, nothing in the concert scene footage requires it to be in San Francisco. There is the establishment shot of the SF skyline as Steve Waits, Jack and mom fly into town on the private jet. After that, it's just interior shots that could have been filmed anywhere.

If they filmed the concert in SF, that's cool. But, I figured they just saved some money by filming it in Hollywood.

[–] Frumious_Bandersnatch_46 16 years ago

Thank you for the eyewitness account. Thoroughly enjoyed the movie. (Took me back to the days of my mis-spent youth.)

The guys made it look so easy that I never realized just how much preparation was involved, nor how long it actually took to film.

---
"The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things,"
Of atoms, stars and nebulæ, of entropy and genes.
---

[–] sem-2 19 years ago

<Jose's story confirmed the extent to which the people making this movie tried to whitewash the Village People's gayness and pass them off as straight guys>

You are confused, sir. The only gay member of VP was the "Indian", the rest were straight guys.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] sem-2 19 years ago

Actually, yes, the cowboy was gay too, but the rest of the band were straight - at least they said so.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A5440-2005Jan12.html

[–] MovieLover0967 19 years ago

Other way around i think, Victor Willis (original cop) was the only straight guy in the band.

His problems with drugs and alcohol, were the reasons they could get rid of him.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] deadfall04 19 years ago

"Jose's story confirmed the extent to which the people making this movie tried to whitewash the Village People's gayness and pass them off as straight guys."

I'm only 33 and could be wrong, but I've always heard that only one of the original Village People were straight and their management tried to keep that fact hidden. However it is: all straight, all gay, or a combination of both; the Village People along with the Bee Gees were the only groups from the disco era that were any good. (in my opinion)

[–] BoomerMovieFan 18 years ago

I was in the final scene too.

If I remember corrrectly, it was September or October of 1979. I was working in one of the Galleria showrooms. Several of the showrooms were open for parties with the celebrities. Barbara Rush, who was in the movie, and Rock Hudson, who wasn't, were at the showroom across the hall from mine.

It was a pretty wild time, fondly remembered.

[–] IllIlllIl 17 years ago

I watched that final scene yesterday and noticed that the front row was filled with lots of women and hetero couples but when you looked in the back all you could see were pretty much guys. The camera didn't focus on anyone in the back though like they did in the front row. Maybe the OP meant they didn't allow gay couples in the front row.

[–] Isaac5855 17 years ago

Jose's story confirmed the extent to which the people making this movie tried to whitewash the Village People's gayness and pass them off as straight guys.

I know because of the enormous gay appeal of this movie that people find this hard to believe, but it is absolutely true...the original concept of this film is that the fictionalized version of the Village People presented in this movie are supposed to be straight and so is the fan base they were trying to reach by making this movie. I know it sounds incredible, but it is 100% true.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] Sox575 16 years ago

What he told me was that they wouldn't allow any gay male couples in the audience, only hetero couples.

Perhaps "Jose" is remembering the beginning scenes that take place in the nightclub. Those scenes were filmed in Hollywood, CA, at Studio One nightclub. I believe that the Ritchie Family's performance, even though in the film is supposed to be taking place in SF, is also at Studio One.

Even though the club was exclusively gay, those scenes in the movie depict hetero-couples (or at least couples dancing on camera were of opposite genders) and I'm sure that was deliberate.

Remember, this was the 80s and having anything gay on screen was controversial.

But'cha Y'Are, Blanche! Y'Are In That Chair!

[–] marhenbro 15 years ago

There are only two filming locations listed here on IMDb: New York City and San Francisco.

[–] Sox575 15 years ago

Even though those are the only two locations listed, the interior scenes of the nightclub were shot inside "Studio One" which is located in West Hollywood, CA.

Though it became "Axis" in the 90s and I think it's called "The Factory" now, it was definitely Studio One back then.

Anyone who ever went to the original Studio One will recognize the entrance stair case that was mirrored and had red lights lining the wall as you went up to the actual club.

The DJ. booth was overlooking the dance floor and the club was famous for having those hanging light fixtures that would lower and spin over the dancing crowd.

In its hey-day, Studio One was a very popular disco with a cabaret lounge in the rear of it called "The Backlot."

Although I never went in its heyday, I worked at "Studio" in the 90s so I knew the layout of the club pretty well.

But'cha Y'Are, Blanche! Y'Are In That Chair!

[–] marhenbro 15 years ago

You can submit that as a location along with the name of the club at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080492/locations by selecting Update.

[–] Sox575 15 years ago

Thanks, byron! I updated with the additional info.

But'cha Y'Are, Blanche! Y'Are In That Chair!

[–] rockethulsey 11 years ago

cool info