LGBT Film History: The Early Years (1910s - 1920s)

In this video essay, I take a look at early cinematic depictions of homosexuality, especially during the Weimar era (1919 - 1933) in Germany. 28 May 2019 marked the 100th anniversary of the release of "Anders als die Andern" (1919) which was the first LGBT-themed film in history.
Films that I talk about include "A Florida Enchantment" (1914), "Salomé" (1923), "Michael" (1924), "Die Büchse der Pandora" (1929), "Mädchen in Uniform" (1931) and "The Sign of the Cross" (1932).
Most sources are listed at the end of the video. I will list some of them here again and detail image sources after that:
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FURTHER READING
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Richard Barrios, Screened Out: Playing Gay in Hollywood from Edison to Stonewall, London: Routledge, 2003.
Harry M. Benshoff & Sean Griffin, Queer Images: A History of Gay and Lesbian Film in America, Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2005.
Laura Horak, Girls Will Be Boys: Cross-Dressed Women, Lesbians, and American Cinema, 1908-1934, New Brunswick, New Jersey: Rutgers University Press, 2016.
Christian Rogowski (Ed.), The Many Faces of Weimar Cinema: Rediscovering Germany's Filmic Legacy, Rochester, NY: Camden House, 2010.
Hermann Treuner (Ed.), Filmkünstler: Wir über uns selbst, Berlin: Sibyllen-Verlag, 1928.
Kay Weniger, "Es wird im Leben dir mehr genommen als gegeben..." - Lexikon der aus Deutschland und Österreich emigrierten Filmschaffenden 1933 bis 1945, Hamburg: Acabus, 2011.
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MUSIC SOURCES (in order of appearance)
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The 126ers: Missing My Girl
Vibe Mountain: Clover 3
Dan Lebowitz: Last Train to Mars
Oskar Joost & Tanzorchester: Blinde Kuh
Endless Love: Natural
Dan Lebowitz: Lone Wolf
Dan Lebowitz: Mysteries
Marek Weber & Orchester: Skadatin-Dee
Jeremy Blake: We'll Meet Again
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy / Kurt Masur & Gewandhausorchester Leipzig: Die Hebriden (Op. 26)
Dan Lebowitz: Tiptoe Out the Back
Pete Wendling: For Me and My Gal
Chris Zabriskie: Prelude No. 21
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IMAGE SOURCES
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Pictures taken from Simplicissimus magazine:
"Berliner Wahlkämpfe" by Eduard Thöny, 2 June 1920, vol. 25 issue 10, page 148.
"Hirschfeldiana" by Eduard Thöny, 1 April 1921, vol. 26 issue 1, page 11.
"Marksturz" cover by Thomas Theodor Heine, 7 May 1923, vol. 28 issue 6.
"Reklame" cover by Thomas Theodor Heine, 21 March 1927, vol. 31 issue 51.
"Zehn Jahre Republik" cover by Thomas Theodor Heine, 12 November 1928, vol. 33 issue 33.
"Immer noch nicht genug Parteien" by Eduard Thöny, 15 September 1930, vol. 35 issue 25, page 297.
"Training" by Olaf Gulbransson, 5 March 1933, vol. 37 issue 49, page 588.
Pictures taken from Photoplay magazine:
Letter to the editor, September 1934, vol. XLVI no. 4, page 14.
"Mangling the Movies", illustration by Ralph Barton, March 1922, vol. XXI no. 4, page 77.
"Life in the Films", illustration by Ralph Barton, October 1921, vol. XX no. 4, page 41.
Pictures taken from the Bundesarchiv:
Bundesarchiv, B 285 Bild-04413 / Stanislaw Mucha / CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-1983-1014-501 / Unknown / CC-BY-SA 3.0.
Miscellaneous:
Uncensored illustration from a portfolio of Aubrey Beardsley's drawings illustrating "Salomé" by Oscar Wilde, used for the 1907 edition, British Library, shelfmark K.T.C.120.b.12.
Coverage of Oscar Wilde's trial in Illustrated Police News, 20 April and 4 May 1895, British Library, shelfmark MFM.M40884.

[@infrequentmusings2179]

I got an interesting comment through my notifications the other day but for some reason it doesn't show up here under the video, so I'll reply more generally and pin my answer. The viewer pointed out that Hirschfeld's research was pioneering for transgender people and that's completely right and while I had that at the back of my mind when I said he was a pioneer for LGBT rights, I inadvertently underemphasized that part in my essay (the video went through different drafts, originally I wanted to use footage of Hirschfeld from the Amazon Prime show "Transparent" because he shows up there in the second season as a character but I couldn't find a good download). Some of you may know the movie "The Danish Girl" with Eddie Redmayne that portrayed the life of Lili Elbe, one of the first transgender women who transitioned in the early 20th century. In the film, her consultations with Dr. Warnekros are depicted who carried out most of the surgeries but actually her first surgery was performed under Hirschfeld's supervision in Berlin in 1930. Like I said in the video, I would advise anyone who's interested in LGBT history to look up Hirschfeld, he was an important figure for many people and the loss of his research was equally devastating for many marginalized groups. On that note, you will never read anything more depressing than the personal letters that Hirschfeld got in reaction to the release of "Anders als die Andern" and some of which he published (anonymized), letters from ordinary people from rural areas, not Berlin, who thanked him from the bottom of their heart for giving their plight a voice; letters from people who could not come out of the closet, could not afford surgeries or come to his institute in Berlin for a consultation, letters from postmen and veterans and it's just so devastating to read knowing how bad things already were but also how much worse they were about to get; at the same, it's also the very smallest of comforts to know that Hirschfeld had a real impact and gave people hope that there was a chance for change, even if it didn't materialize in all of their lifetimes. But mostly it makes for an incredibly depressing read. That's why it's important to remember and that's why Hirschfeld will always remain one of the most inspiring people to have ever lived imo.

[@mdaatty]

Where or in what publication are these letters you cite to be found?

[@infrequentmusings2179]

@@mdaatty Sorry for the belated reply. Magnus Hirschfeld published a collection of reactions (from newspapers and personal letters that he received) in the "Jahrbuch für sexuelle Zwischenstufen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Homosexualität" (issue 1 & 2, volume XIX, 1919, Leipzig: Max Spohr). The excerpts from the letters are on p. 36-47. A PDF of this is included in the DVD release of Anders als die Andern by the Filmmuseum München. It's in German but I uploaded it anyway for those that speak it, you can read it here: drive.google.com/file/d/11DdjH92na9j_7e12eD8yG7Rj1ocFkreG/view?usp=sharing

[@georgcantor7172]

InfrequentMusings, Are you from Bad Oeynhausen? or have you ever been there?

[@infrequentmusings2179]

@@georgcantor7172 Never even heard of the place 😅

[@mandelabutterfly9162]

Are you gonna continue the series?

[@SoundBlackRecordings]

Thanks for showing the history of lesbians and not just gay men in film.

[@bettyp5669]

agree with this, love to see gay male history. but lesbianism deserves similar treatment

[@davidcoria9264]

Gay men are the best,

[@bettyp5669]

@@davidcoria9264 nobody said they weren't. The point is lesbians are the best too and people would like to see more about them.

[@gregoryholstein4224]

@@bettyp5669 I totally agree with you 👍

[@bettyp5669]

​@StaticBullet I'd love to see these videos discussing lesbianism in film at length as film history is a huge love of mine. Since you seem to know, can you point me in the right direction?

[@pasipadanhago1388]

Gay culture is part of human existence... this is a historical gem... Good job!

[@francoreynoso6966]

for real

[@ZakariaMeriah]

Are you out of your fucking mind

[@canadey97]

We NEED a part 2. You did such an amazing job on this video I really really hope you continue at some point 😊

[@infrequentmusings2179]

Thank you! Yes I'll absolutely continue, I've already done most of the research and just need to collect some more video/picture material (but even then it might be a matter of another few months, with maybe one other video on a slightly related topic posted earlier bc I've already got all the material for that 🙏 ... wish I had more time for these videos, but real life and all that 😅). Anyway I'll totally make the next part about the 1930s-1960s, no matter how long it'll take me :D

[@qing-xiyan183]

@@infrequentmusings2179 Hope you can finish it with no too much trouble.I love your video too.

[@enoughtomatosoup]

How awesome is this video! The music & editing, the pace, the story! This is a beautiful piece of work. Thank you so much for your research! This video has brought me such joy ❤️ Love from a russian lesbian 👭

[@CsnvLsRnst]

I have watched your video essays about the film adaptations of 'Les Miserables' and this jewel of 'LGBT Film History' because I myself was working on two magazine articles of those topics and doing research. In both cases, I felt almost like I just wanted to recommed your videos and not type a single word, because I couldn't ever have said it better or more beautifully than you. I was sadly surprised when I realized those were the only two videos in your channel, and I truly hope they don't become the last. Your videos are so profound, and illuminating, that I can't praise them enough. How I wish your Infrequent Musings were much more frequent!

[@infrequentmusings2179]

Thanks so much for your nice and encouraging comment! As it so happens, I'm working on my next video right now and hope that it will be finished soon (1-2 weeks if I'm quick and if I don't have to redo parts of it due to copyright, that can always cause a delay). I'm definitely continuing, just needed to find some time :)

[@amontaval]

Stunning. The information, both textual and visual, is so densely and elegantly packed into an almost too rich confection that it will take many more viewings to fully savor it all.

[@okimawilcox1550]

As a cis gender heterosexual person, I’ve started purposefully looking at the history of this community. Very eye opening.

[@cescman47]

This was a fascinating look at how the LGBT community was depicted in the pre war years through the medium of film, and how many key figures were instrumental in trying to change that view and who would then become subsequently lost in history. Now their voices and mark are being reclaimed once more. Thank you this was highly illuminating.

[@ae9999]

Wow, this is far beyond the quality of most video essays and is more on parr with a documentary. I can’t believe this doesn’t have more views, thanks for all your hard work and I can’t wait for part 2!

[@emperorofpluto]

A moving tribute to the phenomenal courage of men and women who could only dream of the freedom so many of us take for granted. Far too often women are either overlooked or treated as somehow separate in gay history, and it’s enlightening to see such objective analysis. Brava!

[@evilprincess3307]

Thank you for the Time and Effort you've put into making these historical videos. 💜

[@nadeen1111]

What an incredibly insightful, well researched, delightful video! Thank you for taking the time to create such a great video

[@krakenvisuals4360]

I watched the entire documentary. AMAZINGLY DONE!

[@marlenedietrich2468]

This is such a beautifully made video that has better quality than many published documentaries. I learned so much and I love that your video gives further readings as well as the names of so many movies to seek out

[@laurenc5306]

This was a wonderful video and you have a beautiful accent! As a lesbian I love learning about LGBT history, especially our depictions in movies/plays/literature etc, and this video didn't disappoint!

[@valerierose817]

Where are you? Please we need more of this

[@infrequentmusings2179]

I'm still here, I just don't have time 😭 But I'm actually working on a video essay about LGBT film history that I could maybe finish quicker than the one I had planned... still going to be a while though... *sigh*

[@valerierose817]

@@infrequentmusings2179 it’s okay I’m just glad you’re still here :) I respect your time. Take it easy. I will be watching that new video. Even if it comes out 5 years from now. I totally get not having time for shit lol.

[@regulusarcturus]

Absolutely sublime video. It's quite clear that the amount of effort and research you put into making this was incredible. It's such a shame that there aren't more content creators on KZbin that strive for such ambitious and informative videos. I'm looking forward to part 2!

[@JohnDonovanProductions]

What an amazing documentary! Beautifully narrated. And really well done. Thank you so much for including titles and dates on all of the cutaways! I have a huge running list now of films I need to watch. As a gay filmmaker, this history is so important to my creative narrative, and the storytelling that I want to create.

[@cloudtx]

Extremely informative and captivating. You did some great work here, thank you! I hope you manage to find the time to continue this series. It truly deserves to be known far and wide all over the world.

[@dumblebee2993]

This is so fascinating! I just subscribed and added the movies you mentioned to my list :)

[@charlesanderson2213]

This arrived in my recommended for you notification today. And I am pleased it did.I have always been interested in early gay cinema of the period. I will now try and see some of the films in this excellent and interesting documentary. I have seen Different from others as I saw it at The Flare Film festival in London. As a side bar, the film Algie the Miner was directed by the first women director, the french pioneering director Alice-guy Blaché. Largly forgotten till quite recently, A fascinating woman.

[@snowshower4415]

Thank u so much for this! Im my school's GSA leader and we're yalking about old films this week. This was super helpful ^^

[@jamesbosslet994]

Very well done, thank you for sharing! I can't believe this video does not have more views.

[@stevecharters8965]

1910s is stretching it a bit - the focus is much more on the 20s and 30s. I flinch on hearing anachronistic terms like 'gay rights activist' or 'gay subculture' when discussing people or events that predate that usage - we should strive for accuracy, not rewrite history.

[@ADAM-yk6qp]

just the dedication and quality put into this video astounds me. it was an amazing video

[@nutmeg121000]

This is a superb piece of work. I thoroughly enjoyed it and like many of us look forward to more. Please don't rush yourself and do a series covering each decade or epoch. I worry 1930s-60s may be very crowded. I want to see more than Hollywood stuff. I read all the comments and have spent some time refuting some of the negative (and might I say ill - informed) feedback. This video essay is elegant, beautifully paced, technically clean and intriguingly informative. It borders on faultless excellence. Congratulations Ms InfrequentMusings. Cheers. Mark

[@infrequentmusings2179]

Thank you for this nice comment! I agree, 1930s-1960s is too crowded, I realized that a couple of days ago while working on the next part and reduced it to 1930s-1940s. It'll be somewhat Hollywood-centric though (with one section about foreign films) and then in the 1950s-1960s I think there's definitely a lot of material outside of Hollywood to talk about... and even more so later from the 1990s onwards. We'll see how far I get.

[@matheuspestana9024]

gurl please comeback and make some more videos

[@davidbrown1566]

Congratulations on this exhaustively researched piece. It offers a great resource for further study. Thanks for posting it.

[@boogerie]

Wonderful and very professional made I'm obsessed with Weimar culture so this is quite helpful

[@seneca451]

Really enjoyed this - and the narration is like silk

[@samkaplan5659]

Thank you. A very thoughtful presentation in which you put a lot of thought in making this video.

[@ursulaspilioti]

Awesome visually - narratively, and very well researched, I really wish you find the time to make more, on this subject or any other of your interests. You are certainly a talented creator.

[@haroldgoodman130]

God bless you for your noble work on behalf of all gay and lesbian people. We have always been here and always shall be here. The haters and hypocrites may come and go but we are eternal.

[@mrbutch308]

Excellent documentary. I saw the fully restored 1919 film "Anders Als Die Anderen" and was charmed by the gay bar scene where the patrons were dressed up up in festive costumes and dancing.

[@sweeneytoddx666]

This was so good! I realy like your storytelling and the way you choose the illustrating material. I could learn a lot more about my homecountry and how things changed! I'd love to see more video essays about other time periods and LGBT themes by you! Thank you for this one!

[@cgtang]

you deserved more views. fantastic work!

[@ritag4432]

Thank you for putting together, lots of research and information provided. Gives an idea of the tone in the time. Bonus is your lovely accent.

[@brianw9129]

Stellar research, narration, and presentation. I learned so much. Thank you.

[@gertibell]

Great job with this video. I've watched quite a few others on the history of gays portrayed in films. This one is the best I've seen. Thank you for all your research.

[@neilpower60]

You've shown great care and consideration in creating your film, meticulously researched the subject and given the subject full respect and shown attention to detail

[@2eleven48]

Truly a fascinating wonderful beautifully researched piece of documentary. Thank you.

[@skeletnsunflwer9173]

Thank you so much! This deserves a lot more views. And also, as a bisexual girl from Germany, I'm really happy to see that "Anders als die Andern" apparently came out on my birthday :)

[@infrequentmusings2179]

Thanks! And what a great coincidence, your birthday is definitely a special historical date then :)

[@nutmeg121000]

Congrats on your 101st birthday - oops I think I misunderstood. My bad!!

[@Michael-dt1mv]

This video is utterly fascinating and beautifully done. I’ve studied LGBTQ films and seen several treatments of the subject, but I learned a great deal from this video (and especially appreciate the recommended readings at the end! I eagerly await future installments in this marvelous series! Thank you so much!!

[@radiofilia]

This is awesome, thx so much. Im a radio journalist and had never studied this.

[@pmad-uk]

Thank you for making this and being so generous with your time and talent :)

[@troysierra5228]

You could only have a future. When you could reflect on the past. As a community, you know how long you've come, based on how far we've pushed!

[@lacapitana]

Dein Video sieht nach einer Menge Arbeit und viel Herzblut aus, das hineingesteckt wurde! Sehr genial und stimmig präsentiert! Mir war vieles davon bekannt, aber die passenden Bilder dazu zu sehen, war toll. Würde mich sehr über einen weiteren Teil freuen! :)

[@infrequentmusings2179]

Danke! Nächster Teil könnte noch ne Weile dauern, aber ich arbeite dran :)

[@gilbertianrueda]

Wow. Absolutely brilliant. I learned so much in this half hour. Thank you for that illuminating narration.

[@rax0018]

Ich interessiere mich sehr für ältere Lgbt Filme. Vielen Dank für dieses Video!

[@simonalyneenderz3247]

I love film history! You have a wonderful narrative voice. Thank you for such great research!

[@sabrinamelo6036]

What an amazing video, god I think I could listen to you talking for hours and hours... Keep up this exceptional work. It's kind, informative, rich and sensitive. Your mind is brilliant! +1subscriber ❤

[@queerfocus]

Amazing job! So impressed! Make some more, please!

[@johngolden891]

Excellent documentary. I knew of some of these early films and wish to learn more on the others. The video Before Stonewall also provides insights as does Vito Russo's Celluloid Closet. (PS Salome (1923) should be counted in the gay camp on the strength of its body language and amazing costumes)

[@ccccamron]

Großartige Recherche 👌🏼 unglaublich professionell ..... danke 🙏🏽 your pronunciation both English and German is awesome 👏🏽

[@infrequentmusings2179]

Danke! :)

[@leisasreallyreal8815]

This was interesting however, we never should mixed-up "Drag" with "Trans" they are two different groups of people. The information that is shared here has to do with LGBQ not T. However, it was entertaining.

[@MrCrowebobby]

The delineation between drag and trans isn't always that clearly defined . . . trans people just want to think it is.

[@nickangelo9971]

I was expecting another video for the 1930s... Great video, really enjoyed it!

[@infrequentmusings2179]

Thanks! Video for the 1930s/1940s is still coming, I hope I can finally finish it in November!

[@stvp68]

beautifully done -- thank you for your work!

[@jamesrobiscoe1174]

Thanks for the deep scratch under the surface of common knowledge.

[@mazo0n]

woowwwwww thank you so much for this i almost cried -

[@minustaco42zero24]

Why did the Nazis have to go and mess up so many beautiful and amazing things and people? Thank you for making this wonderful video showing the history of LGBT in film and what so many wonderful people were able to accomplish

[@stevetheduck1425]

To answer their question, they gain power over ignorant people by turning ignorant people against people with knowledge. It's very commonly done. - because it always works where people are ignorant.

[@kleinengeland]

The words "Anders als die Andern" (Different than the Others) are from a beautiful and powerful song "Das Lila Lied". Even in English (The Lavender Song) the lyrics are quite strong.

[@heavysummer]

You have a beautiful voice and your accent! This was very interesting.

[@blameitoncapitalism]

Girl where's the rest of it???? this video was so AWESOME!!! we need 1930s oooonnnnnnnnn please please please please pleeeeeaaaasssssse

[@mrberryman]

That is a brilliant essay, and thanks for the detailed annotations.

[@ascotberks2018]

Very interesting. Thank you for researching this.

[@francinejuan5385]

a part 2 would be so great!!!

[@redheadjp5267]

Well done and informative. Thank you

[@tangogent]

A very beautiful, informative and thoughtful documentary on a topic of global importance. Thank you so much.

[@LGBTR3naissance]

Wonderful video and you certainly did excellent research on how LGBT Film History has shifted and changed in its early years, it is so insightful! Looking forward to watching more of your videos on the subject.

[@heartsandminds8875]

Simply Excellent! Well researched and erudite ... thank you!

[@Skorpio1121]

This was wonderful! When’s the next part coming?

[@infrequentmusings2179]

Thanks! Hopefully soon :D I'm working on it but I think it'll still take me another couple of weeks... hopefully not more than that.

[@repfed]

Wooooow! Thank you for this documentary!

[@euanelliott3613]

Peace, Love & Equality.

[@aubreyackermann8432]

Content like this is so important!

[@n0kturna1]

Amazing research, hope it's just a first episode of a series

[@javierbilbao73]

Thank you! This is really interesting 😊

[@douglasmilton2805]

InfrequentMusings, this is a fascinating little film, so beautifully put together and so full of unexpected gems. I don't know whether it matters but I'm a heterosexual male who has always been fascinated by the gay Berlin subculture of the 30s, possibly because of my love for Auden and Isherwood. Toss in a gay little sister and a maternal grandmother who was apparently the Natalie Barney of 30s Edinburgh and you can understand just how this grabbed me. More please.!

[@DavidLGill]

Excellent video. Thank you for making it.

[@ManuelPabloArnao]

Love your accent 🖤

[@JewelRiders]

Beautiful accent. Awesome content. What more could we have asked for? Thank you for celebrating the centennial of queer cinema.

[@jordisabatecom]

Love it! Thanks for the video. Hope to see more of them. Keep going.

[@infrequentmusings2179]

Thanks! I definitely still plan on making more of them, just have to find the time 🙏

[@Empoart]

Thank you for such an insightful, well-researched video! :)

[@hayleyprideaux417]

Hello! I would just like to say thank you so much for this video, I am currently in year 11 doing Research Project, my question discussing LGBT+ representation in film. I would like to express how much it helped me with my question so again, thank you!!!

[@infrequentmusings2179]

I'm very glad that this video helped you! Good luck with your research project!

[@soothingmeditationsounds6514]

Thank you for this incredibly informative video with all these insights!

[@cvb6957]

A very, very fine documentary! Thank you! 👍🙂

[@mz8583]

Thank you so much for this treasure. I have never heard of several of presented movies. Amazing history and amazing free-minded Germans. Thank you again 💖

[@alisonbell3561]

This is brilliant! So interesting, thank you!

[@UNgirl428]

the constitution of the Weimar Republic was quite advanced but it was somewhat based on the Mexican Constitution of 1917, the first political and social constitution. Very few Europeans know this.

[@tonkinblake3131]

I hope you continue to make more videos.

[@bettyp5669]

thank you so much for this, instantly subscribed

[@nutmeg121000]

me too.

[@deadby15]

It's amazing Pandora's Box was made like 90 years ago..

[@briand3383]

Good stuff, but what's with the clips being in wide screen?

[@infrequentmusings2179]

I decided on using a consistent aspect ratio throughout the video essay for three reasons: 1) my editing software crops the footage automatically (though that's not a great reason and I'm sure it'd be possible to change this), 2) I use many different materials with different formats throughout and it makes for a less irritating viewing experience if the aspect ratio doesn't keep on changing (iirc the "That's Entertainment" compilations did something similar where they cropped footage during montages), 3) most importantly: I thought it would help against Content ID claims and copyright issues. Since I've managed to get all my essays unblocked by arguing fair use so far and since I believe that it's important to view those movies in their correct aspect ratio (certainly when you actually watch them in their totality, in which case you wouldn't be watching decontextualized clips though like you do here, in terms of them being a selection in multiple ways), I might rather switch to letterboxing clips in future videos of mine.

[@briand3383]

@@infrequentmusings2179 Thanks for the reply, I appreciate your thoughts!

[@Wirefoxxterrier]

Great work!

[@vaslav030547]

What an amazing and informative record of LGBT film history. Thank you so much for all the research work that you have obviously put into this and for posting it.

[@thias2t98]

Amazing work! It's great to learn something on the subject (LGBT in film) that is not US-centered. But even with this novelty aside, your video is wonderful! Can't wait for the 30s-40s one (if it's still in the works).

[@infrequentmusings2179]

Thanks! Yes the 30s-40s one is still in the works, just put on the hold for the moment but I will definitely finish it, however long it takes :D

[@alexdm4868]

this was amazing and i

[@racheledwards2352]

This was quite insightful

[@slardbigmoney7215]

super interesting!!!

[@SuperLauraLoca]

This video is amazing, thank you for making it