Hollywood’s hidden legend, Montgomery Clift, starred in some of the gayest films of the Hays Code era.

October 17, 2023 will be the 103rd birthday of silver screen idol Montgomery Clift. Happy birthday in heaven, Monty!

Despite appearing in only 17 films throughout his career, Clift essentially changed the face of cinema with his gorgeous face. Alongside contemporaries such as Marlon Brando and James Dean, he is often cited as one of Hollywood’s original method actors. He was a new type of movie star.

And he had the talent to back it up, as in 1948 he was nominated for Best Actor in a Post-World War II Drama. search (his screen debut), for American Tragedy in 1951 place in the sunand for Romance in 1953 place in the sunand won an award for Best Supporting Actor in a 1961 courtroom drama. Judgment at Nuremberg.

That’s a pretty amazing achievement!

But behind all the accolades and awards, Clift led a turbulent life plagued by alcohol and drug addiction and a car accident that nearly ended his career. His life was tragically cut short in 1966 when he died of a heart attack due to health complications. He was only 45 years old.

As we later learn through close family and friends (including his frequent film partner and best friend Elizabeth Taylor), Clift kept his sexuality under wraps, especially at a time when homosexuality was criminalized. He had a hard time hiding it from the media. crime.

Clift was bisexual and was known by famous author Truman Capote (allegedly), fellow actors Roddy McDowall and Farley Granger, and famous theater director Jerome Robbins (perhaps he west side story (Based on an idea shared by Clift while on vacation on Fire Island).

Clift made his mark as one of cinema’s earliest and brightest LGBTQ+ stars. And although his entire career took place during the era of the Hays Code (a set of strict film rules that forbade even the mention of homosexuality, among other things), he was featured in several films that are still considered queer classics. He was performing. .

One of them is the iconic John Wayne Western. red rivertechnically Clift’s first filmed role (although it was subsequently released) search). The story of the first cattle drive from Texas to Kansas, it helped cement the genre’s popularity and is often used as an example of how films conveyed bizarre themes and messages during the Hays Code era. It has been pointed out.

Don’t miss the infamous gun battle scene where Matt Garth (played by Clift) and Cherry Valance (played by John Ireland) show each other their guns. Can I see it? “You can feel the sexual tension!

Another of Clift’s gayest films has to be the 1959 film Suddenly last summerwas filmed following the actor’s traumatic car accident and an extensive process of plastic surgery and recovery.

lens photographer all about eve Directed by filmmaker Joseph L. Mankicevic and written by gay writer Gore Vidal, based on a play by Tennessee Williams, Southern Gothic is one of the greatest B-movies of all time. and is widely considered to be a bona fide high camp classic.

For all the gays who love actresses, it’s a real treat to watch Clift have sex with his friend Liz Taylor and the great Audrey Hepburn.

Aside from the odd curiosity factor, both are worth watching on their own merits and show Clift’s incredible range.

Once you’ve reviewed this actor’s past work, we recommend checking out this insightful documentary. make montgomery cliftdirected by his nephew Robert Clift.

Troubled by the public’s mixed perceptions of ‘Uncle Monty’, Robert dug up old archives and family stories to decontextualize the late star’s life and career.

“I always noticed a disconnect between the public perception of Clift and the person his loved ones knew,” says the director. “It had never been addressed in a systematic way. This film gave me the opportunity to explore that.”

If you want to celebrate queer icon Montgomery Clift’s birthday, here’s your watchlist!

red river is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Hoopla, The Roku Channel, Tubi, and Pluto TV.

Last summer, suddenly Available for digital rental via AppleTV, Google Play, Prime Video, Vudu, and YouTube TV.

make montgomery clift is currently streaming on Crackle, Dekkoo, Kanopy, Plex, Tubi, and Vudu.