The First Gay TV Movie: The Battle Over "That Certain Summer"

[@lananieves4595]

Even though I was way too young to have watched this, I remember my parents talking about it, and my mother often, over the years, saying that Martin Sheen's performance in this movie was what sold him to her as an actor. So, while actually SEEING the movie didn't have an impact on me, the very existence of it DID. Because my mother's clear take on it wasn't that the relationship portrayed was bad, but that the performances were great and that she had empathy for the characters and what they were portrayed as experiencing, It made me more sure that she would accept ME as a lesbian. And that's exactly how it played out: my so-called coming out was uneventful. I told her and she said something to the effect of, "Oh, honey, I know. I've always known." And that was that. Thank God for moms who offer 100% unconditional love and support.

[@sandrafaith]

Oh, what a beautiful story!

[@jessicaclakley3691]

That’s awesome! I was lucky in that way too as I remember laying on my mom’s bed around the age of 16 and saying “mom, what would you do if I was gay?” Her response? She laughed and said “oh baby, you are” 😂 I remember the whole world lifting off my chest when she said that. I hadn’t even realized how important my moms approval and acceptance was to me. I’m super grateful for that, especially considering I grew up in a really small, very religious town in Texan lol

[@pbohearn]

I saw it on tv. I was 12. It came none too early 😊

[@damemarthafalker6738]

You're very fortunate in that respect, Darling. I wish I could say the same for myself.

[@gilgameshofuruk4060]

@@jessicaclakley3691 I tied myself in knots before coming out at work. When I did, someone said "What? You thought we didn't know?"

[@ActuallyDoubleGuitars]

What I like about Matt Baume is he is just such a good story teller. Always makes you want to hear more.

[@MandVersusNature]

Yes!!

[@memorian8472]

It's so true, sometimes they're not long enough!

[@just_passing_through]

I want to watch this movie, with commentary by Matt. 👍

[@MaleRainbowAction]

And cute! :-)

[@luvbearbut]

Matt..I love your podcasts and the stories behind them. I lived through most of these times and have no idea of the bts and stories behind entertainment's struggle and heroism behind what we know today. Thank you soo much for giving us the timeline narrative!

[@remomazzetti8757]

I was 15 and in the closet when this aired on 11/1/72, and it literally helped save my life to see a positive story like this.

[@akschmidt2085]

I'm sorry. It must be pretty disheartening to see the continued pearl clutching from some parts of the country😢 even though most of us have evolved now.

[@pompom11]

I’m a year older than you, I did watch the Movie. I didn’t know anyone who was “homo” the word used back then. I find out now on FBook guys WERE GAY but didn’t talk about it even though they were messing around in the woods after school.

[@peterk7931]

Matt, you are like the gay uncle I wish I knew better. My uncle was a set designer in New York City in the eighties and early nineties before he died of AIDS. I was a kid and never got to hear any of his stories. You remind me of what I missed, in the best possible way.

[@sage._.3304]

I wanna be that kinda gay uncle. A legend only told in fond stories

[@DAndyLord]

Ok... I'm a straight guy. But I'm utterly fascinated with the history of American-gay culture. (I'm also not American). Plus you're a really good history teacher. The love story in Last of Us s01e03 made me weep like a baby, simply because if was beautiful love story. It is so cool how far our society has come.

[@allysonbeaulieu7351]

this makes me so happy to read, because i talk to my straight friends about queer history all the time, and they’re always like “ugh shut up you always talk about that”. good to know there are cool people like you out there, dude 😊

[@drinkyourtea]

Me too I'm gay but not american

[@djbille4283]

Yes, it has but people like Ron DeSatan and other extreme Republicans are trying to do away with gay people and culture. Extremely disgusting!

[@donaldstanfield8862]

Thanks for sharing and caring!

[@tkusterb]

I was 14 years old and terrified that others might find out about my attraction to boys when this aired. Our whole family watched, silently absorbing the drama and making no comments about the subject matter. But I was frozen in my spot on the living room floor, breath shallow and blood pounding in my temples (partly because I thought Scott Jacoby was really cute, and partly because I feared what my parents might say...they stayed quiet). To say the least, this was a seminal moment in my adolescent development. Thanks for this video, Matt!

[@yvesklein5414]

thank you for writing the comment I would also have written. yup, watched it with my whole family of five. my parents were disgusted. yet it was a gripping script. and I agree about Jacoby, LOL. it was probably my entry into a new kind of family. Stay cool Brother.

[@leeboriack8054]

Glad you survived childhood, the AIDS pandemic and could come out. Being Gay isn’t for sissies.

[@tkusterb]

@@leeboriack8054 Damn right.

[@kevinw8485]

1972 I was in grade 7 and the target of lots of anti gay comments; it was open season to bully anyone accused of being gay; teachers ignored the bullies who quite frankly with their parents ran the schools.

[@michaeltnewyorknights8413]

​@@leeboriack8054 really, you can thank the sissies for never hiding and the ones who fought at Stonewall... whilst your type stayed safely in the closet.

[@FRADAVE02]

I was a tween when this movie came out, and I can't believe the changes that I have lived through! ❤🎉

[@sequentialkady]

My gay friends of your age have talked about what an impact this movie had on their lives.

[@damemarthafalker6738]

@@sequentialkady For me, it was 'An Early Frost (1985)'.

[@scottjohnson5415]

@@damemarthafalker6738 That one was very difficult to watch. There were lots of movies back then where the gay characters suffered and/or died.

[@damemarthafalker6738]

@@scottjohnson5415 ‘Doing Time on Maple Drive’? A young Jim Carrey in one of his first dramatic roles. Another stand-out film from about that era.

[@SWLinPHX]

@@damemarthafalker6738 ...and "Consenting Adult" earlier that same year.

[@jm7804]

"There's a principle here, and the principle is what attracted me. 85% of my friends are gay. They just are..." God bless the soul of Hal Holbrook. He was remarkable. The world needs more men like him.

[@martijnspruit]

He says "at least 5 percent of my friends are gay" Which is statistically true.

[@jm7804]

@@martijnspruit That is NOT what he said. Rewatch the clip. 7:24 What I posted is the accurate quote.

[@martijnspruit]

@@jm7804 You're correct, I misheard. He articulates quite unclearly, but at a second (and third) listening, I heard it too.

[@dwightfitch3120]

@@jm7804Love HH! He made a great Mark Twain.

[@BritInvLvr]

The part where the dad said he wouldn’t pick being gay, I’m sure it was because of a lot of people’s opinions at the time. I remember friends getting kicked out of their houses and being bullied.

[@robgronotte1]

I would imagine most gay men of the time would feel that way. Why would you choose to be part of an oppressed minority who can't be honest about their lives? It's definitely a shame they had to feel that way though.

[@alexrafe2590]

There was all that and more@@robgronotte1. At middle and high school in those long ago days people talked about gays as some sort of subhuman tribe of disgusting creatures engaging in unmentionable behaviours. We were regarded by many other kids as the lowest of the low. No wonder so many young gay people tried to commit suicide. There seemed little to look forward to, except hatred and abuse from ‘normal’ people that we could never be.

[@onbearfeet]

A while ago my therapist asked me whether I'd choose to be other than what I am (biromantic on the asexual spectrum). My response was more or less immediate: No. There would be no point. I like being the way I am; it makes me happy, whether other people accept me or not. (And honestly, I don't even understand what they're upset about. You're mad that I have less sex than you do? Or that I don't care what bits my vanishingly rare partners, none of whom are you, happen to have? Why? How is it any of your business? How do you have so much time on your hands?) A few months later, a queer teen asked me the same question. By then I had boiled down my answer to something shorter: "What good would it do to change myself when it's other people who are the problem?"

[@unfabgirl]

I remember about a dozen years ago, a friend of mine was coming out and another friend treated the whole thing like it was a choice. They never said so to my other friend's face, but the comments they made to me and other friends made that perfectly clear. I was okay with dropping them as a friend when I came out as pan the next year

[@martijnspruit]

@@onbearfeet You are right of course but it took nearly fifty years for society to make that shift in attitude.

[@healingbuddy]

I saw this movie the night it aired originally in 1972 as a 16 year old questioning who I was. It was wonderful to see a movie that did not portray gays as hoodlums or degrading low lifes. Always loved it and have watched it again on KZbin last year after all these years. Great movie.

[@martymartin6191]

they also were not portrayed as they are today prancing and flailing about either. I was also 16 and coming to terms with my being gay. Family couldn't understand why i wanted to watch. I also moved out a few months later

[@trevordixon1427]

Scott jacoby.great actor.

[@JohnSmith-qj6bj]

I was right there with u ,watching it as a 12 yr old boy,searching for answers.

[@sequentialkady]

As a straight but not narrow person who is almost 50, amongst my gay friends of a similar age (or slightly older), this movie, plus the Road Warrior, is the thing they often reference as the first time they saw a mainstream non-negative, non stereotyped, depiction of a M/M relationship on screen. thank you for all the work you do to capture queer history on TV! Love this channel.

[@euansmith3699]

Great Romances #43 Wez + Golden Youth 🌈

[@netfun8087]

I’m not familiar with the Road Warrior movie, would you please give me more information so I can find it?

[@euansmith3699]

@@netfun8087 Road Warrior is what Mad Max 2 was called when it was released in America. 👍

[@netfun8087]

@@euansmith3699 thank you

[@dwightfitch3120]

@@netfun8087the gays in that movie (Road Warrior) are the villains

[@davekong3894]

I remember seeing "That Certain Summer" when I was growing up in Iowa. My father came out as gay a few years later. And it was okay, because I had seen it on TV. Representation is important. Thank you for doing this piece!

[@DPogs627]

I was in high school when it came out. I watched it with my parents. It was GROUNDBREAKING.

[@just_passing_through]

It’s so cool that Martin played a gay character so early in his career, and again right now. The changes in attitude over the 40 intervening years are mind blowing.

[@alainriviere7950]

At the age of ten , I sequestered myself in my bedroom to watch, That Certain Summer, hoping no one would barge in and "out" me for watching something different. I anticipated it, excitedly, worryingly and expected a stamp of approval of what I thought was me. I was surprisingly delighted yet a bit unfulfilled. These were the times and only so much could be done; we appreciated any kibble. And this was much more than a kibble.

[@gravityrules]

I saw this movie in 1973. By that time, my conviction to be who I am was set in courage, and I was never one to be confrontational. But I also would never be content to be viewed as a withering, unhappy soul with regrets. This movie was tremendously depressing, though thankfully a necessary foot in the door. It gave the impression living a gay life would definitely be painful and worthless, and it angered me. Fortunately I have been lucky, blessed with support. Let's hope the general acceptance continues to grow.

[@JohnSmith-qj6bj]

My feeling exactly, I was 12. U described it perfectly "kibble" ,because at that time ,no internet. And we just needed information, an to me this was the 1st time the information was being presented respectfully not comical or clinical.

[@claireloub]

This finally explains why I was so baffled by the scene in the park where one guy helps the other down from the bridge and the father says it makes him uncomfortable! And the ending always infuriated me that Martin Sheen's character was so cold. But now I see it was network meddling. Thank you so much for all your insight and research

[@michaelgardner-vn6kn]

1972: the year of "That Certain Summer" and also the year of my first boyfriend. I remember him very fondly. Sure was an important year in my life!

[@Sevenpuddingsx]

I love listening to essays about things that I would have never known otherwise existed, thanks for the awesome delve into gay male culture ❤️

[@BrownsBacker]

I remember can't waiting to watch this movie because of all the ads about it. I was 15 and already knew I was gay...I watched it on my TV in my room privately, afraid to ask my parents to watch it in the living room. My remembrance of it is positive, just because I couldn't believe the subject matter was on tv in a serious matter. If I watched it again today, I know I would be cringing because of the negative things that you mention, but honestly I don't remember. Having this show on was a reason to celebrate and feel better about myself....because I wasn't alone. I had no other shows to use as a comparison, and with my parents saying much worse things than were said on this movie, this was WONDERFUL!!! Shows about homosexuality from that time can't be judged with today's standards and visibility...we had neither back then, just whispers about "those people" at best....and a lot more at worst. It wasn't until the movie Making Love maybe a decade later that I had that kind of feeling again about a movie, because it showed people like me.

[@damemarthafalker6738]

My mind flashed back to a scene between Hal Holbrook and Emile Hirsch from 'Into the Wild.' Hal's character, a man well into his golden years, was asking, nearly begging, entreating even, Emile to stay with him (where it's safe), rather than venture out into the wilderness where an uncertain fate awaited. I remember being moved by that interaction. Hal Holbrook exhibited a lifetime of repressed pain and loneliness just with his eyes. He got nominated for an Oscar. He didn't win, which was tragic because it was clear that that would most likely be his last chance at that premium accolade. An unforgettable performance, nonetheless.

[@Serai3]

Man, I remember watching this when it was aired. I was 11 years old, and from a theatrical family, so although I enjoyed the film and felt sorry for the characters, I couldn't understand what the problem was. My parents took a benign attitude towards gay people (when they mentioned the subject at all), and it was the 70's, for gods' sakes. It made no sense that these folks had to pussy-foot around and not be honest about being in love. It all just felt so _stupid,_ a feeling I've never gotten over. What the hell? Why was everyone being such assholes? Still can't fathom it.

[@tonynegron1927]

🤔 I'm going to guess it had something to do with (organized) Religion.

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

Oh, yeah. Anita Bryant is the one who popularized the "Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve" comeback.

[@akrenwinkle]

@@fabrisseterbrugghe8567 Donna Summer's career collapsed because she allegedly used the ancient "not Adam and Steve" slur. It's true Donna was a holy roller, but the sad irony is that it has never been really verified and documented where, when, and to whom she said it, only "allegedly." Which makes it folklore, hearsay. On a lighter note, there are several KZbins showing Bryant getting pied. Just search "Anita Bryant Pie" and enjoy.

[@bitchenboutique6953]

My mom was the same way. I was definitely not raised to think there was anything weird or different about queer people. (My dad, not so much. Not that he ever really talked to me. So I guess his influence was stronger on my sisters, who had to be turned around later, just like he did.)

[@petemavus2948]

​@@fabrisseterbrugghe8567 that's when Anita (after losing all her high paying contracts as rep. for the Florida Orange Growers Association and others) ran off to Branson Missouri and was star of her own theater and low budget productions. She'll probably be hoping for a comeback with DeSatanists. 🤣

[@verawarren2893]

Yes, this movie was revolutionary, it cannot be understated. The times were very different, being gay was considered to be a family tragedy and my mother shed a thousand tears over my gay brother. She told me that my brother was gay because she must have done something wrong, which was so painful for all of us. But my brother was full of joy, even through all of the pain he went through. Thank you for this, and all that you share, keep up your good work!!

[@montego2]

Looking back, I can see how important this TV movie was to my life when I saw it as a kid. The mere fact of its existence was a positive thing. Thanks for providing so much context for this milestone.

[@captjames19]

“De-fanging the opposition”! Omg we need to bring this back into our advocacy endeavors 👏🏻❤️‍🔥

[@juliewaterfield1804]

love your channel matt. i'm not gay but have and had many gay friends whom i love dearly. a couple of them told me to watch an early frost. well, having a major crush on aiden quinn i thought yessss. this movie broke my heart, i couldn't believe people could behave like that to another person for something they couldn't help being born as. i'm 65 now and without my gay friends my life would have been very sad.

[@ron4501]

We love you Julie!

[@juliewaterfield1804]

@@ron4501 thank you hun, i love you too

[@alyzu4755]

"An Early Frost" is beautiful! I watched it when it first aired. I was 16 and just found out my cousin was H.I.V positive. I cried like a baby at the end. (BTW, my cousin started receiving AZT and not only survived, but is now thriving in his 50's. 🥰)

[@juliewaterfield1804]

@@alyzu4755 i cried my eyes out too. i am so pleased that your cousin is doing well, give him a hug for me. just wish they could have found the azt a lot sooner, it would have saved so much heartache.

[@alyzu4755]

@@juliewaterfield1804 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@redpiano1]

The "kid finding the watch" scene has stuck with me all these years. I was just rolling into high school the year the movie aired, and it was one of those couple of life changing events of a young gay kid like me. I remember the exacting details of watching this movie more than I remember the details of coming out.

[@johnatyoutube]

I will never forget when I saw this movie on TV as a young teenager when it came out. It showed me that there was a world of people like me out there. Unfortunately, like so many movies after it, it showed that being gay came with the promise of love along with a life full of pain and shame. It wasn't an inspiring movie for young gay people. But, it was a brave venture for its time and a milestone in TV history. It's amazing how far we've come . Thank you for honoring the movie and for creating such a wonderful history of gay entertainment and pop culture. It's so important for future generations to understand both our struggles and our joys.

[@Dalekzilla]

I remember watching this when it first aired on the network. Martin Sheen and Hal Holbrook were both fantastic. And I remember being shocked that they actually got it aired. A great movie, then and now. And Martin Sheen has always been a hero of mine because of his social activism.

[@millercreativestrategiesll8863]

I had forgotten about that show. Ironically and coincidentally, I worked with both Mr. Sheen and Mr. Holbrook. Incredible people.

[@georgeh6856]

At that time, it was an accomplishment when none of the gay characters ended up dead by the end of the movie. (I got that idea from the documentary "The Celluloid Closet", which I recommend.)

[@walterude6323]

It can never be overemphasized how much representation matters. Loved this video as I do all your other content, Matt Baume.

[@kazza6078]

I love reading through the comments about all the people who watched this back when it was first released and the impact it had on their lives. This is such a great channel.

[@JrocksWorld1980]

Omg same ❤

[@RicPendragon]

I knew about Sheen in Grace & Frankie, but didn't know about all this, amazing to see how far onscreen representation has come, we've still got a ways to go, but we're making progress at least!

[@strafrag1]

Great video, Matt. I was a closeted college 19 year old at the time that November, and remember watching the film with my parents and little brother that night. I was one of the lucky ones whose family thought it was a good story.

[@rivaridge7211]

In November 1972, I was just 16 years-old (gay, scared and confused) and when my mother saw me watching this TV movie, with rapt attention, Mom casually said, "Well, you are certainly fascinated by this, aren't you?" Bless her heart for always, as she said it in such a way as to make me know that "she knew" and completely understood. Some years later, when I did "come out" to her, she said that she knew "all along" and was happy we had it out in the open. Thank you for this wonderful review! I recall the controversy, but had no idea it made such waves. Cheers to all!

[@genesisishere]

That's beautiful !!!

[@MrHeadbanger366]

I admire actors who are willing to go that far.

[@outinsider]

This was touching, as it was seeing Hal Holbrook's interview here. Considering he passed away recently, it's touching to see him at that age.

[@MsSissiePooh]

I remember sneak-watching this movie on TV as a pre-teen (much to the consternation of my somewhat conservative parents), and it was such an amazing and enlightening experience, despite the clunky dialogue at times. Thanks for shining a spotlight on this forgotten made-for-TV movie that helped to expand my view of the world, and of the people in it. There are times when I wonder if “That Certain Summer” could be remade today, with Levinson and Link’s original script intact.

[@ourphilosophyis9119]

I love how at 15:52 it looks like Martin Sheen is simply acknowledging and saying hello to Matt after being introduced to the audience.

[@davidmcdonald1898]

I remember watching this film myself, as a college freshman in my late teens. I'd already come out in high school and paid a high price for it. (But it's one of the few times in my life that I showed real courage.) From today's perspective it certainly seems like 'That Certain Summer' dropped the ball, but Matt's analysis on that point is quite correct, and reflects Harvey Fierstein's philosophy about being 'out': "Visibility at any price." In terms of documenting history, though, it's just about perfect, since it accurately conforms to the prevailing attitudes at the time. This is one of my top 10 KZbin's. Thanks, Matt!

[@stevebonham2800]

Thanks Matt for another great video! I remember seeing this movie in 1972 as a very closeted 15 year old, and despite the negatives you point out, found it very encouraging and affirming that I might some day find the kind of life I didn't see reflected in front of me in Kansas. I'm looking forward to your forthcoming book, which I've preordered, and everything you have to say on Pop Culture in upcoming posts.

[@bradypustridactylus488]

A few years earlier, I took a literature class at a local college. The curriculum had about four plays in different time periods: Shakespeare, nineteenth century, early twentieth century, and contemporary. The contemporary play was Boys in the Band. I don't know why the play was not available in the college bookstore, but the instructor bought a case of the book and distributed it to the students in class. Maybe sneaky, maybe copyright and production issues, maybe bookstore problems. I don't know, but given the spirit of the time, my paranoid mind runs wild. Nevertheless, Mr Hoffstetter has my gratitude, respect, and admiration.

[@douglaso6428]

Thank you for featuring this, Matt! I was 10 years old in 1972 and my older sister was a ballet dancer and so there was some discussion & some glimpses into the gay community for me (from a distance, that is). I remember my family watching this movie although i'm pretty sure that I didn't. But I knew what it was about and I remember being somehow aware that it was connected to me. Despite being many years away from coming out (age 25) I began to realize that I was gay in 1974 when I was 12. This movie definitely had a positive and affirming influence. (The moment I saw the title tonight of "that certain summer" and before I even saw it was being presented by you, I remembered exactly what it was despite not having seen it in 50 years!) I wish it could have saved me some of the pain I went through before I found the courage to come out. But that wasn't its job. It did its job extraordinarily well, and did it - as you showed so well - with great integrity.

[@michaelhagler395]

Thank you for posting this video. I hope you know what you do and create is so important. In 1997, I came out to my family. My wife was the first to know which was only right. At that time I had a 2 year old son and I was scared to death about how my decision would impact him. When I said I was scared...I WAS SCARED TO DEATH. I wish I could go back and make these types of decisions with the help of my family and society as a whole. Every decision I made during this time was made out of fear. First and most importantly, fear of losing my son. I was afraid I would lose my job, my family and the fear of losing my life as I knew. Every decision I made during what (I would say) was the most pivotal time of life was made in fear. Watching this video was painful. It brought back a flood of emotions that I thought I had dealt with obviously had not. So, thank you for your content and being a thoughtful content creator. May the younger generations of today be grateful for the lives they are currently living because unfortunately, it just wasn't possible during the times "I CAME OUT"!

[@gregorytexas]

I watched this while I was babysitting Jamie and Kirsten. They were in other rooms doing their own thing. These portrayals gave me insight as to why I was valid as a human being. Thank you for your insightful work.

[@oceanlover3530]

Wow! That last clip with Hal Holbrook was so touching. You can clearly see how emotional he was. Thanks for posting! ✌🏻😉✌🏻

[@rebeccazajdel6061]

I get so excited when a new Matt Baume video premieres!

[@charlesheyen6151]

you should see his OnlyFans!

[@crys383]

Great to see Sheen's commitment to broadening the general public's understanding of queer people went back many decades. Slight aside here: I got to see Holbrook tour as Twain at the end of high school in a small exhibition room at a regional museum. I had no idea who he was but his act was fantastic. It was only later that I realized what a big deal that was. Fantastic talent and a great man.

[@OnTheNerdySide]

Matt, thank you for covering these topics while providing context around how and why the compromises were made. Sometimes I think we forget how even a flawed portrayal of people can make a positive impact. In our cynical, hot-take-driven, social media times, it's too easy to look at a piece of media and dismiss it for its faults rather than celebrate its successes, especially those made 50 years ago.

[@mrxman581]

I remember seeing this movie when it first aired. I was 13 years old It made an impression. It was ground breaking.

[@YesItsMeGuys68]

Another great job Matt ! I remember seeing that film on TV when it aired . I was just publicly outed to my father by the small town High School I attended when I lived in in upstate NY . it was quite awkward to say the least

[@StavrosTO]

I remember watching "Movie-of-the-Week" films in the seventies. Some of them were quite dark, "A Case of Rape" with Elizabeth Montgomery and "Bad Ronald" with Derek Jacoby; others were lighter, "The New Original Wonder Woman" with Lynda Carter as the pilot for the series. I hadn't seen "That Certain Summer" cause it was before we got cable - and the subject would have gone completely over my head. I managed to find a streamed version recently - very well done. Kudos to Martin Sheen and Hal Holbrook for taking it on!

[@danielmaher7108]

Scott Jacoby, not Derek. Derek Jacobi was the British actor who played the Roman emperor Claudius in the Masterpiece Theatre series "I Claudius". I remember "That Certain Summer" very well. I was 10 when it aired and yes, it was VERY controversial.

[@StavrosTO]

@@danielmaher7108 oops, I stand corrected.

[@sirdaveysockrocker]

I had no idea that when Hal Holbrook appeared on The West Wing as Assistant Secretary of State Albie Duncan, that it was a "That Certain Summer" reunion 😄

[@simplyfrancois]

Thanks Martins Sheen for your service. And all involved in this movie.

[@montehill1364]

I’m in tears. This story gives me flashbacks. I lived this era. I love gay history.

[@jlee4039]

You’re a national treasure Matt! ❤❤❤

[@clairenollet2389]

If Melvin Heller thought that blowing on a dandelion was representative of oral sex, that says a lot more about Heller than it does about fe****io. I was 11 or 12 when this movie came out, and my Mom wouldn't let me watch it.

[@meropale]

Great history lesson. I've never heard of this movie before. This required an amazing level of bravery to pull off.

[@prl08]

“Everybody, Michael is Here!!” (Dorothy was never more excited than when Michael came to visit)

[@gordon3186]

*My, how things have changed. For the better.* *Fifty years ago, we began to see that people are just people. Love is just love.*

[@josephcollins6033]

So incredibly depressing. My chest hurts. I wonder if it was shown in Nashville where I lived and was in first year of college. Thanks very much for this.

[@ZiggyTzardust]

That Hal Holbrook bit at the end. I'm not crying, you're crying...

[@eldrichnemo9312]

I'm so grateful for your videos because it's providing a TON of context for contemporary media related to LGBTQ+ issues in the handful of years before my birth. I'm not so well-educated on queer history that's directly impacting my queer self today, but with each video I'm learning there was a LOT MORE than many current sources would have people believe. Thank you for showing the truth. Unrelated to the video but 3:07 where are my DC comics fans at? If you know, you know.

[@TheVerbalVolley]

To this day, I have not been able to found ANY website that has this movie for sale.

[@garrideb]

Thank you for this video, Matt. I watched this movie for the first time a couple years ago so that I could include it in a montage I was making highlighting gay representation on TV in the 70s. I watched a lot of "gay episodes" of medical and crime procedurals for that project, and although some of those were surprisingly good for their time, many of them were pretty dire. That Certain Summer was definitely one of the best and most humanizing portrayals from 70s television. I appreciate learning about the behind-the-scenes from your video!

[@jameswalsh8754]

Hey Matt you are saving so much of our history. Thank you I didn’t even know this movie existed and I was about 10 when that movie came out. I guess at that point in time in my life I was getting bullied in school about being gay. But it was really great to see it thank you for all of the hard research and time spent on creating this video. You really are an incredible guy

[@MattBaume]

Thank you, so glad you liked it!

[@samfisher6606]

There was a sitcom in 2012 called the New Normal which was about a gay couple and the surrogate for their baby, who was already a single mother. It starred Anthony Rannells and Justin Bartha as the gay couple. And Ellen Barkin plays a main character, too. I don't really remember if it was any good but it was the first time I really remember seeing gay people depicted and understanding what being gay meant. I think it would be a good topic for a video. It also might be one of the first shows about a gay family.

[@markmh835]

Andrew Rannells, not "Anthony."

[@RLucas3000]

I think Nene Leaks was on that as well. It was pretty good but only lasted two seasons.

[@ivorydungeon909]

"the scene is a mix of good dialogue and bad dialogue" - a bit like life, really

[@richh9450]

I remember watching this. It was on ABC when made for TV movies were popular. I have always admired Mr. Holbrook for his bravery in playing this role at the time.

[@nealwhaley63]

So this production had to navigate all sorts of mazes to reach its air date….yet the ABC Movie of the Week later featured Barbara Eden as a woman impregnated by aliens. And that was fine.

[@markmh835]

Not the worst thing that ever happened to Barbara Eden ... on film.

[@flyjet787]

Can't believe I'd never heard of this film! Fascinating! Really revolutionary for that time. I remember the insane controversy over the theatrical film "Making Love" and that was in '80 or '81.

[@marysue7165]

Holy cow, I remember watching this! I've totally forgotten about that. It was good!

[@LuCiGough]

Anytime you flash even a glimpse of Jack DeLeon, Marty from Barney Miller, I smile. Thank you Matt for keeping him relevant.

[@marktubeie07]

I remember this airing here in Australia, very controversial at the time. From a more mainstream point of view, I put this cutting edge TV movie right up there with the more commercial cinema movie from '81 'Making Love' through Fox. Both are important statements of getting 'gay' into the mainstream.

[@thescarecrowcat]

I do hope you've made an Audible version of your book, you're such a fine speaker!

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

I remember seeing this movie of the week when it came out.

[@jslasher1]

I remember seeing this film with my young son, who many years later announced his homosexuality with pride. He said that this film was so important to him, proving that LGBTQ+ individuals were everywhere.

[@YudronWangmo]

I was 13 when this came out. Thanks for refreshing my memory. I had it mixed up in my mind with another pioneering made-for-TV movie around that time starring Bill Bixby.

[@luminiferous1960]

Is the TV movie starring Bill Bixby to which you are referring "Big Fish, Little Fish" which was a TV version of the play by the same name written by Hugh Wheeler, and aired in 1971 with Bill Bixby in the role of Ronnie Johnson? It has a closeted homosexual character named Jimmie Luton, who is a schoolmaster with a crush on the central character William Baker. The Wikipedia article about the play states: "Big Fish, Little Fish was one of the first Broadway plays to explore frankly the issue of homosexuality,[6] and Gielgud ignored advice to tone down the "implicit queerness".[7] Hume Cronyn [who played Jimmie Luton in the original Broadway production] kept a diary of the original production. He reported that, during rehearsals, the cast and creative team engaged in long discussions about the homosexuality theme. He commented that attempts to "prejudge audience or critical reaction" could lead to a "safe but regretful" production...In Theatre Journal, John Gassner shared his view that the central role was not the strong point of the play, but he praised both Wheeler and Cronyn for their sensitive and honest treatment of Jimmie's hidden homosexuality.[19]"

[@YudronWangmo]

@@luminiferous1960 Glad you found something. I have a pre-teen memory of Bixby-who was a familiar face-doing a TV movie on a gay theme, but not a name. I don’t know if that is it or not. All I remember is two men who wore something like black turtlenecks. I couldn’t find anything in IMBD myself.

[@YudronWangmo]

In those first few years of the 70’s a lot of new stuff was coming out on Network TV. In October of 1971, The David Susskind show, featured out lesbians in a talk show format (Susskind was not nice). That allowed lot of young lesbians to see actual lesbians like themselves for the first time, a factor in many women coming out.

[@cyrilmauras4247]

I remember watching this film on TV when it came out. Beautiful!

[@ecogreenarchive]

Omg I just saw this and loved it! I need to read the book! I’m glad you’re doing a vid on it!

[@amybly1400]

So nice to see and better understand a part of my history that took place when I was a child. Interesting and informative.

[@enfysbook]

The sound I made when the MST3K "Mitchell" clip happened...was not human. There was also emphatic joyful pointing at the TV.

[@klatubaradanikto]

My eyes got wide when I heard Joe Don Baker. He’s such a great punching bag for Mysties.

[@berlinorama]

It is so interesting to know why the film was written the way it was. I saw it when it came out and at 14 it made a big impression on me.

[@mikea77]

Great job, Matt. My husband and I enjoy your presentations. I barely remember this film, but I want to search for it.

[@ayindestevens6152]

I learn something new with each Matt Baume episode. Glad they stuck it out and made this film even if the ending was…a choice. Also S/out to the Gay Alternative that cover art looked amazing!

[@animatorgeek]

Thanks for another great episode. Also, OMG, your hedgehog hoody is so cute!

[@jamiejones8508]

How did I not see that?!? :)

[@qbear17]

Another great video, Matt. That Certain Summer is one of the most important movies in my life, I watched it the night it was broadcast. I was in my second year of colege and not out to myself yet (although I found out a few years later when I did come out, pretty much all my friends had long figured it out). That Certain Summer touched on so many things that were moving in my mind. I felt it was incredibly positive for its time. The chaacters were repectable people. The line about never would have chosen this life really highlighted the societal discrimination and put it right out there that it was not a choice. And as heartbreaking as the end was, the mother's give him some time line was very hopeful and positive for 1972. Anyway, I'm very glad you presented this film. I lived through those times always looking for validation. I probably saw 95% of all the shows you have discussed in your archives the nights they were broadcast. I'd like to recommend you take a look into the film Making Love, which starred several actors known for TV. I saw it multiple times in theaters, and each time came home and fell into tears. And Kiss Me Guido was the film the Jason Bateman/Alec Mapa sitcom bas based upon. Another movie that was lovely is The Wedding Banquet. Sorry for going on so much. Still hoping you'll do a deep dive into Third Rock from the Sun. There were tiny gay bits throughout the series in addition to two very gay episodes. I hope David and I can catch your book tour when it hits New York. Thomas

[@jaytops]

Hal made me cry at the end. Vale sir.

[@jaytops]

Omg I just read that he was married to Dixie Carter!

[@kerridwynntheacegoblin6465]

Got a huge grin on my face when you mentioned The Illusive Man.

[@so9205]

Such a seminal moment in my life. I watched this as a 16 yo gaylet and it was life-affirming. Kudos to ABC for airing it.

[@MrDougmartin]

Finally someone acknowledged this film. The first gay movie I ever saw. My mother was so distraught that I wanted to watch it. Great movie. It along with Making Love made me realize I wasn't alone and I wasn't sick. Both early gay movies that young gays should watch.

[@atomic32205489]

Thanks for reminding me of this important movie. I saw it with my folks as a young closeted gay teen in a medium sized ultra conservative city. The ABC affiliate often changed the broadcast times on regular shows such as The Brady Bunch to fit the Mountain time zone and aired some things later to avoid touchy subjects. This was aired before my bedtime and I don't think any of us knew what the movie was about before hand. I distinctly remember a lot of silence on my parents part. And when it was over, I went upstairs to bed with nothing more than a goodnight all. I don't remember any talk of it at school later either. But the subject was out there to geminate. My folks later totally accepted me and my longtime boyfriend without batting an eye.

[@lecirdaluz]

It would be great to see a re-make of “that certain summer” updating the storyline. Thank you…that was my first gay movie but then later a saw “victim” with Dick Bogart, made way before that certain summer movie. I also saw “Consenting Adults”with Martin sheen and Barry Tubb.

[@teledoink]

One of the first network shows I remember having a gay character was “Soap.” My Catholic parents refused to let us watch that show. But I would sometimes catch it when they weren’t home. I didn’t understand why they were so worried, as the gay character just seemed like a nice man 🤷‍♀️

[@nycblueyes10024]

Matt!! You are great! What a wonderful reflection of where we've come from, and people that have helped us to get here now. Love your point of view and fabulous way of sharing with us.

[@jamesgleason9004]

Bravo, well played! Especially the scene from Star Trek, TNG, at the end!

[@Leftatalbuquerque]

I never knew this movie existed. Matt, have you done a treatise yet on the 1982 movie "Making Love"?

[@alexander3699]

Thanks so much Matt for this terrific commentary / presentation on this TV movie. I personally wasn’t aware of it, but I’m deeply grateful to know of it now!

[@cassiusmishima9052]

You've made me cry once again Matt Baume!

[@rileynewman-gatton8549]

I'm a Lesbian Gen Z lover of MASH, West Wing, and Designing Women, I never knew Martin Sheen and Hal Holbrook's important place in gay television history! It is really nice to know when you realize the actors you love have always been accepting.

[@m_martha_e]

Martin Sheen is also fantastic in the Netflix series, Grace and Frankie. Non-spoiler summary: Martin Sheen plays a gay man who’s been closeted while being married to woman, but has long been in love with his business partner, also married to a woman. Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin play their respective wives. These women become friends through these changing family dynamics.