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Saturday Night at the Baths

  • 1975
  • R
  • 1h 26m
IMDb RATING
5.7/10
602
YOUR RATING
Don Scotti, Ellen Sheppard, and Robert Aberdeen in Saturday Night at the Baths (1975)
Watch U.S. Restoration Trailer
Play trailer1:26
1 Video
16 Photos
ComedyDrama

A musician from Montana finds work and other things at The Continental Baths in New York City, 1974.A musician from Montana finds work and other things at The Continental Baths in New York City, 1974.A musician from Montana finds work and other things at The Continental Baths in New York City, 1974.

  • Director
    • David Buckley
  • Writers
    • Franklin Khedouri
    • David Buckley
  • Stars
    • Robert Aberdeen
    • Ellen Sheppard
    • Don Scotti
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.7/10
    602
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • David Buckley
    • Writers
      • Franklin Khedouri
      • David Buckley
    • Stars
      • Robert Aberdeen
      • Ellen Sheppard
      • Don Scotti
    • 13User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    U.S. Restoration Trailer
    Trailer 1:26
    U.S. Restoration Trailer

    Photos16

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    Top cast52

    Edit
    Robert Aberdeen
    Robert Aberdeen
    • Michael
    Ellen Sheppard
    • Tracy
    Don Scotti
    • Scotti
    Steve Ostrow
    • Steve
    Phillip Owens
    • Queen…
    Jane Olivor
    • Performer
    • (as Janie Olivor)
    R. Douglas Brautingham
    • Bagman
    Paul Ott
    • Hustler
    • (as Paul J. Ott)
    Paul Vanase
    • Towel Queen…
    Caleb Stonn
    • Female Impersonator
    J.C. Gaynor
    • Female Impersonator
    Pedro Valentine
    • Female Impersonator
    Toyia
    • Female Impersonator…
    Josh Palace
    • Counterman
    Keith Kermizian
    • Cyclist
    Lou Miranda
    • Escort
    Paul Gatsby
    • Fisherman
    Lawrence Smith
    • Artist
    • (as Larry Smith, Lawrence Smith)
    • Director
      • David Buckley
    • Writers
      • Franklin Khedouri
      • David Buckley
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews13

    5.7602
    1
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    10

    Featured reviews

    5JLPDX

    A time capsule

    It's not a great piece of film making so don't expect a monumental tour de force of cinema. But as a specific glimpse into a turning point of American history it's well worth your observation. What is valuable is the the documentation of early 70s gay life and early 70s New York City... Pre-AIDS, pre/cusp gay liberation, a failing NYC under Mayor Beame and a glimpse into the values and lifestyle during a very tumultuous time sandwiched between the free love/rock and roll 60s and the decadent/greed is good 80s. From that sociological perspective it's worth a watch.
    9jrbrowzer

    A Pre-AIDs Period Piece

    I was in my teens when this film came out, but I remember the times (I first saw it at an art house in LA). The plot of Saturday Night at the Baths has less to do with bath house culture and more to do with the exploration that was going on at the time. The leads do a good job of showing the freeness and openness of the sexual revolution (google it), so much so that when one takes a walk to the other side, aka a gay rendezvous, there is a thought that their straight relationship just may last. The film took my breath as I recalled the often silliness of pre-AIDs existence. All that passed with the millions of gay men who died in the years following this film. Since then, our culture has hardened, but it was nice to once again see how innocent we were despite the oppression of the time. When viewing the film, consider the boldness of the filmmaker and actors. This film was created before being gay was accepted and should be viewed through that lens. That alone makes this a groundbreaking film.
    9jlinamen1229

    Important Gay Film

    This film is of historic importance in gay culture. First, it was filmed at the Continental Baths. Second, it was one of the first films exploring this aspect of gay life in the 1970's. This film depicts much of what I was familiar with as the struggle of coming out gay back before it was acceptable. It's important for younger gay men to understand what it was like in the days before broader acceptance existed.

    Yes, many of the production values aren't the best but for what this film represents that can be overlooked. The acting isn't the greatest but they feel like sincere honest performances.

    Once I got into it, I was captivated. I should note there is male and female nudity for those that might be offended.

    The performance of "Pretty Girl" by Jane Olivor is outstanding.
    9Spanky-13

    Life changing experience!!!

    I was 19 when this movie came out and so mixed up! This movie is clearly a B-movie of the 70's, but a great step forward for American movies. It was a great escape for a lot of us. I loved it!!! A must see for 70's movie buffs!!!
    3plum-blossom

    An (almost) charmless mess! Rent it, don't buy it...

    While watching this I was faced with conflicting thoughts. I was a young man in NYC in the 70's, and had discovered the fabled Continental Baths a year previous to when this was released. The Continental was a ground-breaking establishment - up until then the majority of the bathhouses were Mafia-run, filthy, run-down and unsafe, and then Steve Ostrow took over the decayed health club in the basement of the Hotel Ansonia and turned it into a true pleasure palace - with original art (I remember a series of wicked Tomi Ungerer drawings and some early Plexiglass sculptures), great lighting, music, a juice bar - and a private elevator up to the roof sun deck. For me, just coming out, it was an exhilarating and liberating space to be in, where I could freely express my sexuality and begin to meet the rest of the community (that I'd barely knew existed).

    So to see the few interior shots, and the shots of Greenwich Village as it looked in the 1970's was a treat - as was seeing a bunch of skinny men with so-so bodies and remembering that we didn't have to face the Gym Facists back then - it was enough of a wonder to just be young and queer.

    On the other hand, the film is a shapeless mess, with a thin plot and an abrupt ending that I found infuriatingly simplistic and weak. Some of the acting's decent, (there's also an eerie Judy Garland turn by Caleb Stone and an all too brief glimpse of Jane Olivor performing), but the film feels partly like a pitch for the Continental (no surprise, as Steve Ostrow is listed as a producer and appears in a few scenes as well).

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The show at the Baths was attended by over 800 extras, who included some of New York's elite. They were all paid $1.00 for their part and had to sign releases before they were admitted. The revue "Beyond the Fringe" was playing at the time and the astute viewer can see Dudley Moore and Peter Cook sipping a drink in the crowd.
    • Goofs
      During the post-football conversation Michael's shirt buttons and unbuttons between shots.
    • Quotes

      [Michael apologizes for an insensitive, homophobic remark he made earlier]

      Michael: You gotta realize, man, where I'm comin' from, see. Where I come from, what you do with fags is punch 'em in the mouth.

      [He gently, playfully punches Scotti's jaw]

      Scotti: Does that make it right, Michael?

      Michael: No. but, uh, on an Air Force base that's just the way it is, you know. Everybody's super-butch.

      Scotti: Is that where you're from?

      Michael: Yeah. And, y'know, everybody just talks like that, so I guess I've always been like that.

      Scotti: Always?

      Michael: Well, maybe not always. I remember when I was twelve, I knew a guy who was a fighter pilot. His name was Greg, and he was a lot more sensitive than the rest of 'em, you know. He used to... he kind of befriended me... . One time we went out fishing, hit a flash storm, came on us. We got really drenched. There was a cabin there, but nobody put any firewood inside, so we couldn't get a fire going, couldn't get dry. We took off all our clothes, though, and there were a couple-a blankets, and we wrapped up in the blankets and tried to get warm... . I guess I went to sleep like that.

      [he pauses, and lets out a deep breath]

      Michael: The next thing I knew, man, I was flyin' across the room and lights were - flashlights were in my eyes, and, uh, it was my father and a couple of non-coms with him, and they grabbed Greg, pushin' him around and yellin' obscene things, and, y'know, he flipped out. Anyway, the lesson of the story is that I learned, y'know, not to - I learned not to put hands on other men.

      Scotti: Did you love him?

      Michael: Yeah, I guess I did.

      Scotti: Y'know, Michael, if it weren't for your old man, you'd be normal.

      [They both laugh]

    • Crazy credits
      ...And last but not least, a very special thanks to Professor Gregory Battcock -- just because.
    • Soundtracks
      Pretty Girl
      Written and Performed by Jane Olivor (as Janie Oliver)

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    FAQ15

    • How long is Saturday Night at the Baths?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 14, 1975 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • I bagni del sabato notte
    • Filming locations
      • Continental Baths - 230 West 74th Street, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • B.T.O. Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 26m(86 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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