“Fuck Maximillian!” “I do!” “So do I.” These are some of the sweetest words ever spoken on film.
DIRECTOR: Bob Fosse
BOTTOM LINE: Berlin,1931—the closing days of the Weimer Republic. The Nazi party will be in power in less than two years. We are with Brian (Michael York), the delectable Miss Sally Bowles (Liza Minnelli), and Baron Maximilian (Helmut Griem). The film is based on the 1966 Broadway musical “Cabaret” by Kander and Ebb, which was adapted from Christopher Isherwood’s semi-autobiographical novel “The Berlin Stories” (1945) and the John Van Druten play “I Am a Camera” (1951), which was itself adapted from the same work. With Bob Fosse’s revolutionary choreography and direction and Liza’s stunning performance, this is one of the best films ever made. Don’t forget Joel Grey’s irrepressible host at the Kit Kat Club and those amazing Kander and Ebb songs. Adapted by J. Presson Allen from all three sources. Of its ten nominations, it won eight, losing to “The Godfather” in the Best Film and Adapted Screenplay categories. Astonishingly, costume designer Charlotte Fleming was not nominated for her incredible wardrobe. Some say it was because she was based in Berlin and not Hollywood. However, this also applied to the Production Design team, and it did not stop them from not just getting nominated but also winning. Michael York was also unlucky not to be nominated (he never has). Still, it was a particularly competitive year in the Best Actor category, with even Al Pacino being ridiculously moved into the Best Supporting category. The eventual likeup consisted of Marlon Brando (“The Godfather”), Laurence Olivier (“Sleuth”), Michael Caine (“Sleuth”), Peter O’Toole (“The Ruling Class”) and Pete Winfield (“Sounder”). Brando won the award, which he refused sending Native American actress Sacheen Littlefeather as his proxy.
OSCAR 1972: WINNER OF EIGHT OSCARS, THE MOST ACCUMULATED BY A FILM THAT DID NOT WIN BEST PICTURE
Best Film: Cy Feuer producer (Nominated)
Best Director: Bob Fosse (WIN)
Best Actress: Liza Minnelli (WIN)
Best Supporting Actor: Joel Grey (WIN)
Best Adapted Screenplay: Jay Presson Allen (Nominated)
Best Cinematography: Geoffrey Unsworth (WIN)
Best Editing: David Bretherton (WIN)
Best Production Design: Hans Jurgen Kiebach and Rolf Zehetbauer (Art Direction) | Herbert Strabel (Set Direction) (WIN)
Best Music Adaptation: Ralph Burns (WIN)
Best Sound: Robert Knudson and David Hildyard (WIN)
65 Queer Films Made Under the Hays Code (1934-1967) Part One. – TheBrownees
65 Queer Films Made Under the Hays Code (1934-1967). Part Two. – TheBrownees
65 Queer Films Made Under the Hays Code (Table) – TheBrownees
45 Queer Films from 1967-1976: Queer Cinema Comes Out – TheBrownees
