Some of the gay and lesbian stereotypes in these films are clearly damaging, others are celebrated as coded queer classics in a time when "sex perversion" was forbidden in Hollywood. Click on "Read notes" to see why these films were chosen for this list; more will be added over time, as well.
This is bonus content for the upcoming Part 6 of "10 Years 10 Films: Every Year of World Cinema."
PSA exploitation film for venereal disease, warning of things like lesbianism. Much like Reefer Madness.
Not a lesbian film, but portrays the lives of many female characters. This was directed by the celebrated Dorothy Arzner, who lived much of her life with Marion Morgan, choreographer for *Dance, Girl, Dance.*
George Cukor was known for his gay Hollywood pool parties, but his public life and many highly successful films hid his homosexuality.
Based on the 1930 book, in which the Joel Cairo character was gay. This is only alluded to in the film.
Irena's "otherness" relatable to gay and lesbian filmgoers.
Lesbian undercurrents in setting (Greenwich Village), characters Jacqueline & Frances, and butch Satanist Esther Redi.
Homoerotic psychological thriller.
Miss Holloway & Mary Meredith characters. Dead lesbian ghost theme.
Russell Paxton character. Also helmed by gay director Mitchell Leisen.
Based on 1890 novel by Oscar Wilde, gay author and playwright. Neither the novel nor book include any overtly gay content, but both strongly allude to it.
The most celebrated film from Marcel Carné, openly gay later in his life.
Based on the semi-autobiographical book by Charles Jackson, a latent homosexual. Film removes all gay references.
Biopic completely ignores that its subject, American composer Cole Porter, was gay.
Not a gay film, but stars director Jean Cocteau's "muse" Jean Marais.