The international release of La Cage Aux Folles (1978) marked a significant turning point in cinema for gay audiences because it introduced worldwide audiences to the homosexual subculture in a non-threatening, highly entertaining fashion. The film, based on a play by Jean Poiret, was a wildly successful venture, ultimately earning over forty million, spawning two sequels, a Broadway musical, and a popular American remake - The Birdcage (1996), starring Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, and Gene Hackman. America showed its approval with three Oscar nods for Director, Adapted Screenplay, and Costume Design, as well as a Golden Globe win for Best Foreign Film.

Filmed on location in Saint-Tropez, La Cage Aux Folles (translation: The Mad Cage) is the story of a gay couple that own a nightclub famous for its flamboyant drag queens and cabaret shows. When the son of one of the men gets engaged, the couple must disguise their alternative lifestyle from their stuffy, conservative future in-laws. The film, also titled Birds of a Feather, was helmed by French director Edouard Molinaro, who went on to direct both sequels; neither, however, attained the success of the original. Producer Marcello Danon extended his influence to the film's remake, The Birdcage, now in the role of executive producer.

Veteran Italian actor Ugo Tognazzi and prolific French actor Michel Serrault play the lead roles--Serrault reprised his role from the stage version. His performance earned him the prized Cesar award for Best Actor from his home country. Tognazzi was an acclaimed comic actor with a career that spanned forty years, and included a Best Actor win at Cannes for his dramatic role in the 1981 Bertolucci film La Tragedia di un Uomo Ridicolo (Tragedy of a Ridiculous Man). The film's score was composed by Ennio Morricone, whose collaborations with Spaghetti Western pioneer Sergio Leone established his reputation as one of the top composers in the business. His triumphs include Once Upon a Time in the West (1969), Days of Heaven (1978), and The Mission (1986).

La Cage Aux Folles also inspired a Broadway musical of the same name, marking another first by exposing a mainstream audience to a homosexual musical on the Great White Way. Written by Harvey Fierstein with lyrics and music by Jerry Herman, the musical version of the film also enjoyed great success, with a run of over 1700 performances. Likewise, the American remake, The Birdcage, grossed over 120 million in the U.S. alone, as well as grabbing several award wins and nominations. La Cage Aux Folles itself helped to boost the failing fortunes of United Artists during the late 1970s, and established a high water mark for French films released in the U.S. that was not toppled until over twenty years later with the release of Amelie (2001).

Producer: Marcello Danon
Director: Edouard Molinaro
Screenplay: Marcello Danon, Edouard Molinaro
Art Direction: Mario Garbuglia
Cinematography: Armando Nannuzzi
Editing: Monique Isnardon, Robert Isnardon
Music: Ennio Morricone
Cast: Ugo Tognazzi (Renato) Michel Serrault (Albin/ZaZa), Michel Galabru (Simon Charrier), Claire Maurier (Simone), Remi Laurent (Laurent), Benny Luke (Jacob), Luisa Maneri (Andrea Charrier).
C-97m. Letterboxed.

By Eleanor Quin