Retro Blood 155: Cruising (1980)

Join James Kline and J.H. Alison as they wrap up their month-long exploration of 1980s New York horror with a deep dive into William Friedkin's controversial thriller, Cruising (1980). This unsettling film, starring Al Pacino, explores the underground world of the leather scene and a serial killer targeting gay men. The hosts begin with a discussion on the film's striking visual style, its provocative message, and the infamous "hanky code" that played a key role in the culture and storyline. 🌈🔪

As always, the episode features the Oktoberfest Beer of the Week review, adding some seasonal flavor to the conversation. 🍻

In this week’s history segment, the boys take a look at what was happening in the world of pro wrestling and metal music around Cruising’s release date, February 15, 1980. On the wrestling front, they break down the iconic Star Wars ‘80 match between Dusty Rhodes and Harley Race. Then, in metal news, two monumental events are discussed: Bon Scott’s tragic death from alcohol poisoning, which shook the world just as AC/DC began work on Back In Black, and the release of Iron Maiden’s single Running Free, which marked the first appearance of the legendary Eddie on their cover art. 🤘

The episode then dives into the intense production history behind Cruising. The boys discuss the controversial book by Gerald Walker that inspired the film, William Friedkin's bold casting of Al Pacino, and the grueling production process, including on-location shooting in the heart of New York’s gay leather bars. They also talk about the immense backlash the film received from LGBTQ+ groups, the on-set protests, and the disturbing hate crimes that were linked to the movie’s release. 🏳️‍🌈📽️

Finally, James and J.H. delve into the film’s storyline, breaking down Al Pacino's character, Steve Burns, as he goes undercover in the world of underground kink to catch a killer. They also take a closer look at the notorious "hanky code" and how it was woven into the plot, offering insight into this misunderstood subculture of the time.

Prepare for an intense, thought-provoking episode full of horror, social commentary, and the usual mix of wrestling and metal that you’ve come to expect from Retro Blood.

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