EXCLUSIVE: Everybody is aware of Studio 54, the long-lasting New York nightclub that flourished within the Nineteen Seventies. However the West Coast claimed its personal magnetic hotspot in that period – a spot that attracted celebrities and the homosexual group for a wild time of dancing, consuming and debauchery.
Studio One Ceaselessly, directed by Marc Saltarelli, paperwork a discotheque and cabaret that welcomed the likes of Bette Davis, Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Elton John, and Chita Rivera, future notables like author Bruce Vilanch, and sizzling younger issues in skimpy shorts. Gravitas Ventures in the present day introduced it has acquired North American distribution rights for the documentary, with plans to launch it theatrically in Los Angeles on September 13 and on VOD starting October 8. Watch the movie’s trailer beneath.
The movie contains new interviews with Melissa Rivers, Roslyn Sort, Lance Bass, Thelma Houston and extra “as they recount their experiences at Studio One, and what the long-lasting membership stood for because it faces demolition.” Chita Rivera, earlier than her passing in January of this 12 months, sat for an interview recalling her recollections of acting at Studio One’s sister membership, The Backlot.
Gravitas Ventures
“Studio One Ceaselessly shares the journey of Studio One, a beacon of dancing and freedom for homosexual males on the lookout for identification in a world that noticed them as outcasts, because it faces destruction,” notes an outline of the documentary. “From merging the homosexual group and Hollywood elites like Bette Davis and Cary Grant to being on the forefront of the LGBTQ+ rights motion and the battle towards the AIDS disaster, the venue was greater than a vibrant disco haven and blossoming heart of nightlife in West Hollywood; it was a motion.”
Bruce Vilanch and David Del Valle narrate the “dive into the historical past of the historic venue, providing a testomony to an period and immortalizing the membership’s legacy for future generations.” The movie’s soundtrack options Donna Summer season, Sylvester, Thelma Houston, Village Individuals, Bronski Beat, and extra.
Michael Koth, Studio One devotee, reclines within the membership.
Courtesy of Michael Koth
“I’m excited to convey Studio One Ceaselessly to audiences by our companion Gravitas Ventures,” Saltarelli stated in a press release. “Their enthusiasm to share the journey and cultural significance of Studio One, particularly throughout a time when LGBTQ+ and human rights are being challenged, makes them the best companion to convey the inspirational story of this iconic venue to the subsequent era.”
Invoice Guentzler, SVP of acquisitions and operations at Gravitas Ventures, commented, “Gravitas is proud to be bringing the story of Studio One Ceaselessly to North American audiences. Via entertaining and revealing narration, interviews, and pictures, director Marc Saltarelli expertly captures the significance of not solely the area itself, however the essence of the group that was created by its existence.”
The Manufacturing unit, the almost century-old constructing that housed Studio One and The Backlot, was torn down in 2020 to make method for a lodge and retail complicated. However the pioneering disco received’t solely reside on by the documentary. Former West Hollywood Metropolis Councilman John Duran, who seems within the movie and serves as a producer of the documentary, stated the constructing was fastidiously dismantled.
(L-R) Lloyd Coleman, Gary Mortimer, Gary Steinberg, Ron Hamill, and John Duran in ‘Studio One Ceaselessly.’ Straight behind them towers the Manufacturing unit constructing, which housed Studio One and The Backlot.
Gravitas Ventures/Studio One Productions LLC
“It was disassembled piece by piece by piece and put in crates and saved,” Duran advised the viewers after the movie’s world premiere on the Outfest LA Movie Pageant final summer time. “One of many guarantees we secured out of the developer… is that there be a everlasting show and recognition of the historical past of Studio One with photographs and objects and video.” He added considerably wistfully, “I actually wished to protect the disco, however the unhappy factor is plenty of our younger LGBTQ+ individuals, they don’t actually dance anymore; they Grindr… they Tinder.”
Vilanch, by no means one to overlook the chance for a joke, stated on the Q&A, “John, by the way in which, did all his personal stunts within the movie.”
A way of the significance of Studio One to the LGBTQ group emerges on the Studio One Ceaselessly Fb web page. David M. Rodriguez wrote, “Studio One was my place to go to each Friday and Saturday nights. What superior recollections.” Roger Briggs wrote, “Went there each time I might. I used to be free to be me.”
Studio One Ceaselessly is directed and produced by Marc Saltarelli and produced by Stephen Israel, Alan Eichler and Michael Alden together with Lloyd Coleman, Gary Steinberg, Steve Masterson, Michael Roth, Chris Isaacson, Loree Gold, John Duran, and Steve Saltarelli. It’s a co-production between Studio One Productions and College Photos with help from Alan Eichler Productions, Observatory Media, Pauleytics Productions, Violet Horizon and a grant from the Mario and Mary Saltarelli Basis.
Gravitas Ventures, an Anthem Sports activities and Leisure Firm, is a “main all rights distributor of impartial function movies and documentaries… Gravitas Ventures has distributed 1000’s of movies into over 100 million houses in North America – over one billion houses worldwide.”
Watch the trailer for Studio One Ceaselessly right here:
