THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939) – Although nominated for Best Picture back in 1939, this classic gay-interest movie didn’t win. However, some Oscars were awarded to Oz: Special Award to gay icon Judy Garland; Best Original Score (Herbert Stothart); and Best Song for ‘Over the Rainbow’. More recently the song claimed the number-one spot in the American Film Institute’s list of ‘The 100 Years of the Greatest Songs’.
MILDRED PIERCE (1945) – An undisputed classic. For sheer, unadulterated star power, Joan Crawford’s return to fame, fortune and an Oscar (after being ‘let go’ by MGM) is unrivalled. The film’s appeal to gay film lovers lies with Crawford, a true diva and gay icon, and the fact it’s as camp as they come.
ALL ABOUT EVE (1950) – Joseph Mankiewicz’s jaundiced look at the showbiz battle zone of Broadway. Eve was originally written as a lesbian character but all overt references to her sexuality were dropped. Nevertheless, to those in the know, the gay subtext was fairly obvious. George Sanders won an Oscar for his turn as the camp theatre critic Addison DeWitt. As well as the lesbian subtext, the film’s popularity amongst the gay community also lies in its star. Bette Davis, like Joan Crawford, was a true gay diva, a ‘bitch’ in every positive sense of the word.
SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER (1959) – One of the big groundbreakers in gay cinema history. In 1959, the Motion Picture Production Code and the Catholic Church granted a special dispensation permitting the film to include the first male homosexual in American film. The word is never mentioned, the character did not speak and his face never appeared. Oscar nominations for stars Elizabeth Taylor and Katharine Hepburn.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1965) – The beloved movie musical has won legions of gay fans over the years, Maria’s transformation perhaps being key to the story’s enduring popularity. A complete outsider who’s been living in a convent and afraid to live in the real world, she is still able to conquer her fears. Back in 1965, the film won Best Director (Robert Wise), Best Music (Irwin Kostal) and Best Picture. Julie Andrews was nominated for Best Actress but walked away without the gong.
MIDNIGHT COWBOY (1969) – The first gay-themed Best Picture winner in Oscar history. Also won Best Director for John Schlesinger.
CABARET (1972) – Won eight Oscars including Best Actress for Liza Minnelli and Best Director for Bob Fosse. Cabaret is a truly inspired version of Christopher Isherwood’s 1939 memoirs and bisexual tales of pre-World War II Berlin.
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (1978) – This camp classic was nominated for three Oscars including Best Director, Screenplay and Costume.
THE DRESSER (1983) – Tom Courtenay played the highly camp gay dresser who is infatuated with the ageing, spoiled actor played by Albert Finney. Both received Oscar nominations for Best Actor.
MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE (1985) – Best Screenplay nomination for Hanif Kureishi.
KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN (1985) – Best Actor for William Hurt.
THE CRYING GAME (1992) – Won Best Screenplay (written directly for the screen) for Neil Jordan. Also received nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor (Stephen Rea), Best Supporting Actor (Jaye Davidson) and Best Director (Neil Jordan).
PHILADELPHIA (1993) – Won Best Actor (Tom Hanks) and Best Original Song (Bruce Springsteen). It was also nominated for Best Screenplay.
PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT (1994) – The outrageously camp road movie won Best Costume Design.
GODS AND MONSTERS (1998) – Won the Oscar for Best Writing (Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium), awarded to Bill Condon, plus nominations for Best Actor (Sir Ian McKellen) and Best Supporting Actress (Lynn Redgrave).
BOYS DON’T CRY (1999) – Best Actress for Hilary Swank. Plus a nomination for Chloë Sevigny in the Best Supporting Actress category.
THE HOURS (2002) – Nicole Kidman won the Best Actress Oscar for her role as Virginia Woolf. The film also achieved nominations for Best Picture, Editing, Adapted Screenplay and Original Score. Further nominations went to Ed Harris for Best Supporting Actor, Julianne Moore for Best Supporting Actress and Best Director (Stephen Daldry).
FAR FROM HEAVEN (2002) – Nominated for Best Actress (Julianne Moore), Best Original Screenplay (Todd Haynes), Best Original Score (Elmer Bernstein) and Best Cinematography (Edward Lachman).
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN (2005) – Won three Oscars: Best Director (Ang Lee), Best Original Score (Gustavo Santaolalla) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana). Also received nominations for Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Actor (Heath Ledger), Best Supporting Actor (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Best Supporting Actress (Michelle Williams).
CAPOTE (2005) – One Oscar win for Best Actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman) plus nominations for Best Picture, Best Director (Bennett Miller), Best Screenplay (Dan Futterman) and Best Supporting Actress (Catherine Keener).
TRANSAMERICA (2005) – Nominated for two Oscars: Best Actress (Felicity Huffman) and Best Original Song (Dolly Parton).
MILK (2008) – Won two Oscars: Best Actor (Sean Penn), Original Screenplay (Dustin Lance Black). Also nominated for Best Picture, Director, Original Score, Costume Design and Editing.
DALLAS BUYERS CLUB (2013) – Won three Oscars: Best Actor (Matthew McConaughey), Supporting Actor (Jared Leto) and Best Make-Up (Adruitha Lee and Robin Mathews). Also nominated for Best Picture, Editing and Original Screenplay.