PHILADELPHIA - TLA Releasing, a division of TLA Entertainment Group, in August will present theatrical screenings of Automat Pictures' feature documentary Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon. The mainstream documentary about the life of gay porn pioneer and New York theater darling Jack Wrangler will screen in New York, Los Angeles and Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Wrangler debuted in early June during the LGBT film festival Newfest in New York. Since then it has been screened at LGBT festivals across the U.S., including Frameline in San Francisco in mid-June and Outfest in Los Angeles in July.
"The screenings have been going really well, and people seem to love the movie," producer-director Jeffrey Schwarz told GAYVN.com.
The documentary will screen Aug. 8-14 at New York City's Quad Cinema, Aug. 15-21 at Los Angeles' Laemmle Sunset 5 and Aug. 22-28 at Ft. Lauderdale's Gateway Cinemas (1820 E. Sunrise Blvd.). Wrangler will be shown once each day at each location.
"Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon is a perfect addition to our TLA Releasing Presents mini film fest," Lewis Tice, national press liaison for TLA Releasing, told GAYVN.com. "We included the film in our theatrical tour because not only is it entertainingly informative and full of archival footage from vintage gay and straight films that Jack Wrangler starred in, but it is an essential piece of adult film history that with a theatrical release will have an opportunity to be discovered by film audiences."
In addition, the documentary is scheduled for DVD release Oct. 28. Audio commentary by Schwarz, editor Jaime Meyers Schlenck and composer Michael "The Millionaire" Cudahy; Jack Wrangler interview outtakes; and a photo gallery will be included on the DVD, Tice said.
Wrangler, the scion of a Hollywood showbiz family, was an icon of 1970s and '80s gay cinema. Although he has been called a talented actor and saw some success in Hollywood as a child, as an adult he began to believe legitimate theater wouldn't take him where he wanted to go as quickly as he wanted to get there. After reinventing himself as a blond, ruggedly handsome, masculine top, he appeared in 85 adult movies, often with his name above the title.
Wrangler is considered the first true gay porn star, and he remains famous as much for his commitment to the gay community as for his dynamic on-screen performances that entranced both men and women.
Openly gay Wrangler "was a hero to gay men who were just coming out," Schwarz said. "His fantasies were macho guys, so that's what he became. He played against stereotypes. He helped to give men the confidence to be themselves, because he was confident in who he was."
In fact, Wrangler was so confident and so popular that he became the first porn star to make a successful leap from gay adult films to the straight side of the industry. He appeared in straight porn opposite actresses like Samantha Fox, Candida Royale and Gloria Leonard, and his gay fans followed him, Schwarz said.
Today, at 65, Wrangler no longer is involved with the adult industry in any way. Although Schwarz said "he's very comfortable with his past; he doesn't try to hide it," Wrangler moved back into the mainstream theater world after making his final appearance in an adult movie in the 1980s. Since then he has written music and scripts in addition to producing and directing Broadway musicals. He and his wife, the celebrated 1940s pop singer and actress Margaret Whiting, have taught singing and acting classes and are tireless supporters of the arts.
Wrangler, a decidedly gay man, married Whiting, a straight woman, in 1994. The couple met in 1976 and are thoroughly devoted to each other within a relationship based on friendship and love, not sex, according to Schwarz.
"They are true New York showbiz royalty," Schwarz said.
Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon features cameos by Christine Ebersole, Bruce Vilanch, Chi Chi LaRue, Michael Musto, Gino Colbert and Candida Royale, among others.
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