Out of the Celluloid Closet: Can't Stop the Music

Granted, it doesn't take much to detect the barely hidden gay subtext in Can't Stop the Music, the notorious movie musical to end all movie musicals (literally; it and Xanadu pretty much killed the genre for nearly two decades).

First, there's the Village People ... 'nuff said. Then there's Steve Guttenberg and Bruce Jenner in short-shorts. And let's not forget the musical numbers, such as the rainbow-hued finale and the infamous "Y.M.C.A.", featuring a clueless Valerie Perrine surrounded by dozens of hot and humpy gym bunnies, parading around in jock straps and doing synchronized aerobic routines while paying absolutely no attention to her. Oh yeah, and the whole thing was directed by Nancy "The Quicker Picker-Upper" Walker and produced by Alan Carr.

Can't Stop the Music will be screened tomorrow night at the historic Castro Theatre in San Francisco for their special "A Very Merry Disco Christmas" party, with a special appearance by the original "cowboy" from the Village People, Randy Jones. In addition to the interactive screening and live musical performances, there will also be an "It Takes a Village People Look-a-Like Contest". Considering this all takes place in gay ground zero, it shouldn't be too hard to find enough participants for what could turn out to be a fierce competition. Now where did I put my tool belt ...

Click here to buy Can't Stop the Musicon DVD from Amazon.com.
Links via Imdb.com, YouTube.com, CastroTheatre.com and RetroCrush.bizznet.com.