Torch Song Trilogy (1988)
- Starring:
- Anne Bancroft, Matthew Broderick, (more)
- Director(s):
- Paul Bogart
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R
My RatingTheatrical Release Information | See Details About All Versions
Harvey Fierstein's Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway hit was adapted for the screen by Fierstein himself. The playwright also repeats his stage role of female impersonator Arnold Beckoff, aka nightclub entertainer "Virginia Hamm." The three-part plotline, whittled down to accommodate the film's 117-minute running time, concerns Arnold's seriocomic efforts to find a lasting relationship. We first meet Arnold in 1971, when his heart is broken by his bisexual lover (Brian Kerwin). Next we find Arnold in 1973, enjoying short-lived happiness with his true love (Matthew Broderick). The final act takes place in 1980: Arnold, still grieving over Broderick's sudden death and struggling to raise the young boy that the couple had adopted, has a long-anticipated showdown with his uncompromising mother, superbly played by Anne Bancroft. A witty film that is by turns touching and outrageous, Torch Song Trilogy works well despite its somewhat soft-pedaled approach to the material. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 121 mins
Complete Cast:
- Anne Bancroft - Ma
- Harvey Fierstein - Arnold Beckoff
- Karen Young - Laurel
- Chuck Pierce - Bertha Venation
- Axel Vera - Marina Del Rey
- Peter Nevargic - Young Man
- Byron Deen - Roz
- Mitch David Carter - Heckler in Club
- Michael Warga - Bartender
- John Branagan - Teacher
- Frits de Knegt - 2nd Cab Driver
- Rabbi Elliott T. Spar - Rabbi
- Phil Sky - Man in Back Room
- Stephanie Penn - Female Bar Patron
- Harriet C. Leider - Maitre d'
- Geoffrey Harding - Man with Lighter
- John Norman - Basher
- Alva Chinn - Photographer
- Peter MacKenzie - Young Man
- Michael Bond - Bar Patron
- Matthew Broderick - Alan
- Brian Kerwin - Ed
- Eddie Castrodad - David
- Ken Page - Murray
- Tracy Bogart - Secretary at School
- Naill Gartlan - Boy in Fight
- Kim Clark - Female Bar Patron
- Catherine Blue - Teacher
- Bob Minor - Gregory
- John Beckman - 1st Cab Driver
- Mark Zeisler - Basher
- Edgar Small - Arnold's father
- Benji Schulman - Young Arnold
- Nick Montgomery - Chorus Boy
- Ted Hook - Old Man
- Gregory Gilbert - Hustler
- Robert Neary - Chorus boy
- Lorry Goldman - Phil Beckoff
- Paul Joynt - Heckler in Club
- Director(s):
- Paul Bogart
- Writer(s):
- Harvey Fierstein
- Producer(s):
- Howard Gottfried, Ronald K. Fierstein
- Theatrical MPAA Rating:
- R(Strong Sexual Content, Not For Children, Profanity)
- Closed Captioning:
- Check All Versions
- Subtitles:
- Check All Versions








