A group of supporters and cast members of the Studio One Forever Documentary jumped at the opportunity for a special screening of the highly anticipated Studio One Forever documentary about the legendary Studio One disco in West Hollywood that was located at 652 La Peer Drive. The showing, which took place at Sunset Cinelounge theater this past Thursday, was a fundraiser to capture costs for the final music licensing.
A second fundraiser screening is showing at Camelot Theatres in Palm Springs, at 2300 E Baristo Rd, on Thursday, March 9, at 6:30 p.m. What was originally scheduled in a smaller 170-seat theater venue, has sold out, and has since been moved to a larger 300-seat theater.
Studio One Forever Documenter Fundraiser Screening in Los Angeles – WEHO TIMES
Studio One Forever Documenter Fundraiser Screening in Los Angeles – WEHO TIMESThe Los Angeles screening was a who’s who the night of the showing. Guests included the legendary Lainie Kazan (“My Big Fat Greek Wedding”), Gypsy (host of La Cage aux folles in the 80’s and star of Mel Brooks’ To Be Or Not To Be), Chris Brooks, Sam Harris (star search winner and international recording artist), Michael Koth (star of Studio One Forever and former bartender at Studio One), Gary Mortimer (first Backlot bartender), Allan Rich (Grammy winning songwriter of Whitney Houston songs), Clifford Bell, Charlo Crossley (Bette Milder Harlette and Broadway star), and Bruce Vilanch who was there with his friend, actor Mark Cirillo.
Studio One Forever Documenter Fundraiser Screening in Los Angeles – WEHO TIMES
Studio One Forever Documenter Fundraiser Screening in Los Angeles – WEHO TIMES
Studio One Forever Documenter Fundraiser Screening in Los Angeles – WEHO TIMESFormer West Hollywood council member and mayor, John Duran is a cast member in the documentary. He was joined by current WeHo council member John Heilman at the screening.
The Studio One Forever documentary weaves back and forth between the 70s, 80s, early 90s to the present. It is full of vintage never-before-seen West Hollywood footage and contains rarely heard stories from those who worked there in the beginning and lived to tell about it, to the patrons lucky enough to have experienced the gay disco at its height when it was the center of queer nightlife in the city of West Hollywood. From staging the first Gay Night at Disneyland to being a staging ground for the rise of the LGBTQ rights movement and fight against the AIDS crisis, Studio One was larger than life and Studio One Forever makes sure the disco lives on.
The documentary directed by Marc Saltarelli, features familiar faces like Liz Torres, Divine (archival), Geri Jewell, Bruce Vilanch, Leigh McCloskey, Chita Rivera, Lance Bass, Melissa Rivers, and so many more (including the editor and publisher of this here publication).
Keep in mind that this is a fundraiser. Music licensing is twice the production and post production costs over the past three years, so if you, or someone you know wants make a tax-deductible donation to contribute to this part of West Hollywood LGBTQ history, then click on the link below:
https://www.thefilmcollaborative.org/fiscalsponsorship/projects/studioone.
Or scroll over the QR Code.
The Palm Springs Showing will have a reception following the screening. RSVP at marcsaltarelli@gmail.com.
i ran the elevator there for a bit, saw bianca jagger, ricky nelson, eartha kitt, pierre salinger, etc….ev body was drunk and coked 4 days…..fun place.