Rain; "Red River"; Daddy's Roommate; Uncle Arthur; NYPD; Silver Rick

Rain. It is actually raining. Very much a surprise. And a delightful one. As I keep babbling about, there has been little rain here; all kinds of new records have been set. And this evening rain was unsuspected. Maybe it will rain all night. Now if I only a man to share it with.

Last night after my journal entry, I went back and found the section in "The Celluloid Closet" about "Red River." It is even better than I remembered. I need to look at it again and report the dialogue here.

I was thinking of how we hunger for views of ourselves. Whether it be the implied in "Red River" or the very explicit in "Queer as Folk." I suppose if gives you some sense that you are indeed not as invisible as you thought. Although, "Closet" covers movies, I was wondering about the history of gay depictions in televison. I think I've read somewhere that the first openly gay person on a tv show was on a public access show in the northeast. I wish I could remember where I can across that.

The big gay program I first remember was in the mid 70s called "That Certain Summer" with Hal Holbrook and Martin Sheen. Hal's 12-year-old son comes to visit and soon begins to realize that daddy's roommate may be more than a roommate. Very well done as I recall. Hal's character says something along the lines of, "I don't know why I am the way I am, but I know that I am."

With all the dramas done in the 50s, it is surprising that I've not heard of any that touched on being gay. Maybe it was far too controversial. Or maybe, it was all hints and suggestions. So much of that programming has been lost.

Certainly one of the gayest programs on tv, certainly in terms of cast, had to have been "Bewitched." Dick Sargent was gay. Paul Lynde was gay. Agnes Moorehead was family. Even the actor who played Sam's father, Maurice Evans, was purported to be gay. And in retrospect, I wonder about Dr. Bombay.

Earlier this evening I watched "NYPD," which had a strong gay storyline. I think I knew there was a gay character, but I'd not paid that much attention. Today's paper had a good article about the actor. Actually, I should watch to see Rick Schroder who I've always liked. (The possiblity of a nude scene has absolutly nothing to do with my interest.)

PAX!