Some Christians (evangelist Franklin Graham, media watch group One Million Moms, the owner of an Alabama drive-in, to name a few) are up in arms over the new Disney live-action Beauty and the Beast. Why? Is it because of the romanticized bestiality that ignores Leviticus 20:16? [“… if a woman approach unto any beast …”] Is it the contradiction to Biblical teachings about kidnapping in Exodus 21:16? [”Anyone who kidnaps someone is to be put to death …”]
Nope.
It is because a minor character might be gay. Apparently bestiality and kidnapping are fine. A vague nod to homosexuality, not so much.
Have we blinked and missed fleeting gay subtext in other classic films? Perhaps we should apply the same standards and scrutiny to more movies in order to save the general public from (gasp!) further dangerous, ambiguous suggestions of homosexuality. Let’s see …
The Godfather — Forget the murders, violence, betrayals. None of those elements is objectionable. What is problematic is the line, “Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.” This is a clear reference to the rejection of heterosexuality in favor of gay sex. C’mon: Cannoli?! Could it be more obvious? This movie should be banned for its insistence on promoting this sinful behavior.
An Affair to Remember — Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr fall in love when they are betrothed to other people. But flirting with infidelity is not the issue. The real concern here is the guy who was driving the car that hits Deborah Kerr when she is rushing to the Empire State Building. Some say the driver is gay. You cannot tell for sure because it happens so fast, but we should not allow children to see it anyway.
Citizen Kane — Power, corruption, greed, vanity: no problems here. But the worker who throws the Rosebud sled into the fire? Gay. And there are rumors that Rosebud is actually the name of Charles Foster Kane’s favorite drag queen.
The Graduate —Mrs. Robinson, a married woman, seduces her daughter’s young friend. That’s entertainment. But … one word: “Plastics.” Plasticity suggests being molded, pliant, yielding. Is this subtle advice meant to lure Benjamin into homosexuality?
Bonnie and Clyde — This is a film about thieves and murderers. However, at least two of the police officers who gunned down the titular criminals were gay. Allegedly.
The Sound of Music — Nazis are an engaging Hollywood staple. However, some claim that the real reason Rolfe rejects Liesl is that he is in love with Friedrich. And Max? Obviously the kids’ gay uncle. Why do we allow our children to watch this filth year after year? Schnitzel with noodles?! This film is dripping with gay subtext.
King Kong — This film, like Beauty and the Beast, involves the love between a beautiful young woman and a beast. No controversy there. But the Empire State Building is overtly phallic. Kong climbing the phallic building is homoerotic. [Note: the Empire State Building plays a prominent role in this film and in An Affair to Remember. This is an alarming gay trend. Should we add the seemingly heterosexual Sleepless in Seattle to the list?]
Dishonorable Mentions — When applying this new gay subtext standard to classic films, it is difficult not to hear the phallic, homoerotic implications in lines from movies like Scarface (“Say hello to my little friend”), Jaws (“You’re going to need a bigger boat”), and The Shining (“Here’s Johnny!”), and Dead Poets Society (“Seize the day, boys.”). Ban these films immediately!
Thank goodness these eagle-eyed Christians are protesting Beauty and the Beast and saving our children from Hollywood’s brainwashing! Perhaps this will open our eyes to the homosexual evils that lurk just under the surface of all of our favorite films.
