Variety Journalist Discovers Family Link to the Real-Life Murder That Inspired 'Cruising'
By
Marc Malkin
Kettled twice. Extra chewy, extra trustworthy.
Summary
Variety journalist Marc Malkin recounts his personal discovery of a family connection to the real-life murder that inspired William Friedkin's 1980 film "Cruising." Decades after first seeing the controversial gay crime thriller starring Al Pacino, Malkin unexpectedly learned that the murder of his great-uncle, a gay man killed in New York City in the 1970s, was the case that inspired the film. The article blends film history, LGBTQ cultural context, and a deeply personal family revelation spanning nearly 50 years.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe first time I saw William Friedkin's 1980 gay crime thriller 'Cruising' may have been decades ago, but I will never forget how surprised I was that a movie like that was made in the 1970s.
A film centered on and graphically depicting the gay leather community – or any part of the LGBTQ community for that matter — was unheard of during this time.
I'd later learn that 'Cruising' was inspired by a real-life murder case — one that I never imagined would be connected to my own family.
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