Founded in 1974, Studio One was an iconic, groundbreaking LGBT disco nightclub in West Hollywood, hosting performers such as Sammy Davis Jr., Peter Lawford, and Paul Newman throughout its run. ‘Studio One Forever’ is a documentary telling the untold stories of the legendary club, immortalizing its existence and importance in the LGBTQ+ rights movement in America.
The documentary had its world premiere at the 2023 Outfest LA Film Festival, it was also screened at the Palm Springs International Film Festival where it won the Audience Vote for Feature Documentary.
Release Date
Directed by Marc Saltarelli, ‘Studio One Forever’ opens in select US theaters on September 13, 2024 and on VOD on October 8, 2024.
Synopsis
A beacon of dancing and freedom for gay men looking for identity in a world that saw them as outcasts, Studio One was a haven and the blossoming center of nightlife in West Hollywood. From merging the gay community and Hollywood elites like Bette Davis and Jimmy Stewart to being at the forefront of the LBGTQ+ rights movement and the fight against the AIDS crisis, the venue was more than just a disco, it was a movement.
In ‘Studio One Forever’, Marc Saltarelli and narrators Bruce Vilanch and David Del Valle dive into the history of the historic venue, offering a testament to an era and immortalizing the club’s legacy for future generations. The documentary features candid, modern-day interviews with Chita Rivera, Sam Harris, Felipe Rose, Charlo Crossley, Melissa Rivers, Roslyn Kind, Lance Bass, Thelma Houston along with former bartenders and patrons who recount their experiences at Studio One, and what the iconic club stood for.
Reviews
Michael Talbot-Haynes in a Film Threat review praised the documentary, writing, “Studio One Forever shows what freedom really looks like and why it can’t be allowed to be taken away again.”
Frank J. Avella in an Edge Media Network review also gave the documentary a B score, writing, “This film is another important addition to the ever-growing gay canon of vital stories about our community.”
Official Trailer
Watch the official trailer for ‘Studio One Forever’.
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