Why so much hype?

Thanks for the memories!

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

For anyone who has seen the umpteen productions of "Gypsy" on Broadway, I dare you to not hear the song "Everything's Coming Up Roses" and think of Rita Moreno's hysterical performance as Googie Gomez, singing the song "fresh from her appearance in a bus and truck production of "Fiddler on the Roof".", deserving a second Oscar to go with hers from "West Side Story". Anita was a good hearted spitfire who provided spark yet understanding to the doomed love story in "West Side Story", but Moreno deliciously spoofs the Hispanic stereotypes she has faced by joyously jumping into the film version of a play she had done on Broadway. "Ju thought I vas a drag quin?", Moreno lusciously asks the straight Jack Weston, hiding in a gay bath house from his mobster brother-in-law (Jerry Stiller) and fighting off passes from a balding, hairy chubby chaser. There's the extremely effeminate F. Murray Abraham who also quotes "Gypsy" by squealing as he enters a sauna, "Hello everybody, My name's June! What's yours?" and desperately inviting people to an orgy in his private room, and squeaky, soprano voiced Treat Williams as the straight private investigator hired by Stiller to trap Weston. Add on the fantastically funny Kaye Ballard as Weston's wife who disguises herself as a man to enter the bathhouse, and you've got one of the most delicious farces ever to transfer from stage to screen.While there's plenty of bare male upper torsos, there's nothing offensive in this gay comedy of errors where something dirty might be going on behind closed doors, but none of it is shown on-screen. It's certainly better than the same year's horrible adaption of "Norman, Is That You?", and a far cry from the sometimes funny but ultimate tragic screen version of "The Boys in the Band", but certainly, any gay themed movie in the mid 1970's was ahead of its time, even if it did have some stereotypical characters. Yes, these types of characters do exist, and there are the archetypes of all of them, from effeminate Abraham to the various macho, butch men who have their noses in the air anytime something less than their type approaches them. Veteran early sound actress Bessie Love has a late career appearance, ironically as a receptionist in the front lobby of the bathhouse. Another highlight is when three of the men gather together for a talent show to sing "Three Caballeros" (after another contestant has just done a wretched rendition of "Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries"), making this just truly a gay old time that is truly irresistible.

This has got to be the earliest non-homophobic and non-offensive gay movie (by my standards anyway). 1976! It's based on a play by Terrence McNally - whom I think is gay - and he also wrote its screenplay. It also features most of its original Broadway leads, including, notably, F. Murray Abraham and Rita Moreno.The Ritz is a screwball comedy about a clueless man trying to elude his murderous brother-in-law by hiding out in a bathhouse, which, unbeknownst to him, is very much a gay hangout where men not only have sex with each other but also feature performances by singers and talent shows.Handled by a tactless director or screenwriter, this movie could've been offensive on so many levels, and I, being easily offended enough to be a GLAAD watchdog, was very happily surprised to fully enjoy the movie. Sure there were the stereotypical portrayal of gay men as nellies, but they were part of a variety that also included muscle hunks, lean twinks, leather daddies, and chubby chasers.The actors have a lot of fun with their roles. The clueless straightys include the chubby Jack Weston, who, as you might guess, gets chubby chased, and a young and sexy Treat Williams as the detective trailing Weston. Well sexy when he kept his mouth shut anyway. You'll find out what I mean...Gay bathhouses used to feature female singers and Bette Midler got her start in them, which is why she's such a gay icon. Rita Moreno is this bathhouse's diva, and she gives a lively performance that treads the ideal line between portraying and caricaturing a spitfire Latina.But the eye-pop award goes to F. Murray Abraham, whose most famous role is Antonio Salieri in Amadeus. Yes, Salieri unabashedly plays a flouncy flamer in this movie! Much credit goes to him for tackling the role with gusto yet not going over the top with flailing arms and lisping and all the other stereotypes.

I've always loved the film; I even went to the premier in NYC. I fell in love with, as many of us did, with the Rita Moreno's character of Googie Gomez. She is still in 2005 as fresh as she was almost 30 years ago. HOWEVER...when I heard that Ms. Moreno was going to be appearing in my favorite little 100 seat cabaret in San Francisco, just a few days after 09/11/2001, I jumped on Delta to San Francisco just to see her. I mean-just to see her. I arrived at 5PM and flew back at midnight. This was the first day that the planes were flying after 09/11 and people were not yet comfortable and having fun yet. In fact, during her show to only about 40 of us, she commented on "those bastards" not getting us down and she put on a fantastic show. Then after the show, she came out and spoke with everyone and was well received. However (as I said) when I mentioned to her how much I loved "her" Googie Gomez, her entire body language, tone and attitude changed to me. She immediately changed the subject and when I brought up Googie again, she really seemed "pissed off."Does anyone have any thoughts about this or have they encounter Ms. Moreno, who is still tops in my book.

A well crafted, door-slamming comedy ala 'Noises Off' with a wonderful cast. Rita Moreno playing a no-talent bathhouse singer gives the performance of her lifetime (we all know how talented she really is, so seeing her 'off' is a lot of fun). Treat Williams is delicious as the soprano detective. Jack Weston, Paul B. Price, F. Murray Abraham, Kay Ballard and Jerry Stiller add their spices to this wonderful ensemble. It makes you wish that the days of the Continental Baths would come back - at least the wonderfully tacky shows at poolside!