Deathtrap ⁞⁞ Queer Classics

The 1982 dramedy Deathtrap is a thriller mystery that begins with struggling playwright Sidney Bruhl (Michael Caine), lamenting his latest stage flop when he receives a copy of a script from one of his writing seminar students, Clifford Anderson (Christopher Reeve). Upon reading the script, Bruhl is floored by Anderson's play "Deathtrap," which Bruhl dubs a perfect five-character, two-act thriller. Desperate to regain his own fame, Bruhl concocts a scheme with his ailing wife Myra (Dyan Cannon) to invite Anderson to their remote home, kill him, and pass the script off as Sidney's own. Anderson appears to play right into the couple's hands upon his arrival. He becomes instantly interested in the vast collection of weapons Bruhl keeps in his library, and after being tricked into trying on a pair of shackles, Bruhl strangles him, overpowering the younger man. Bruhl & Myra bury the body, believing they have succeeded in their plot, despite questions from their nosy psychic neighbor Helga ten Dorp (Irene Worth), speculating on her own premonitions that have led her next door. 

But things are not what they seem as the couple prepares for bed only for Anderson to appear alive, lashing out in revenge. He tussles with Bruhl, before going after Myra, who suffers a fatal heart attack in the process. Bruhl appears, revealing that this was his true plan, to rid himself of Myra, in favor of his younger counterpart Anderson, with whom he has been having an affair. Bruhl & Anderson look to maximize success, capitalizing on Anderson's talent and Bruhl's mentorship. But their plans for a future together are not set in stone, as conflicts begin to expose cracks in their relationship, mixed with rising paranoia thanks to questions from Bruhl's lawyer and another visit from Helga. Ultimately, the tension leads the two men to turn on one another, each hoping to eliminate the other. When Helga inserts herself into the cat & mouse conflict, thanks to her premonitions, both men are left dead with Helga swooping in to benefit from their story, which is turned into a successful play, which she takes credit for. 

Queer Classic Film Facts: 

• The film is an adaptation of the stage play "Deathtrap" from playwright Ira Levin. The screenplay was written by Jay Presson Allen and directed by legendary director Sidney Lumet.
• The film notably veers away from its source material with the overt inclusion of a secret queer romance between Sidney Bruhl & Clifford Anderson. Their relationship in the original was played simply as a writing partnership, with only hints of something more personal between them. Despite the Ira Levin estate objecting to overt gay representation in the stage play, many productions since the film's release have included explicit depictions of queer romance between the characters.
• The film was controversial in 1982 for its inclusion of a gay kiss between two male characters. Michael Caine & Christopher Reeve, both straight actors, were said to be very nervous about performing the kiss, leading them to get drunk together in order to get through the scene. 
• The gay kiss between Caine & Reeve was edited out of the film for its later television broadcasts. 
• After the film's release, a Time Magazine article stated that the inclusion of the gay plot twist likely cost the film an estimated $10 million at the box office, as audiences at the time were not in favor of queer storytelling, despite the film's thriller plot.  
• Michael Caine would later take on another queer role, playing gay pageant guru Victor Melling opposite Sandra Bullock in the 2000 comedy Miss Congeniality.
• The kiss between Caine & Reeve was filmed in one take. 
• At the time of this film's release, Christopher Reeve was at the height of his career success, coming off of 1980's release of Superman II. Reeve was outspoken in his desire to take on other types of roles as not to be typecast as the superhero.  
• The film originally received an 'R' rating. It was appealed successfully by Warner Brothers and ultimately downgraded to a 'PG' rating prior to release. 
• Michael Caine & Christopher Reeve would reunite 10 years later for another film set in the world of theatre. The two starred in 1992's Noises Off.