Saturday Night at the Baths (1975)
A bold, groundbreaking 1975 drama set inside New York City's legendary Continental Baths, where desire, identity, and loyalty collide.
Saturday Night at the Baths - Movie Information
- Original Title: Saturday Night at the Baths
- Release Year: 1975
- Directed by: David Buckley
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 22m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 14, 1975 (United States - R), February 18, 2004 (Australia), November 9, 2013 (Italy - VM18)
- Alternative Titles: I bagni del sabato notte (IT)
- Production Companies: B.T.O. Films
- Production Countries: United States of America
Saturday Night at the Baths - Plot
When struggling pianist Michael lands a job at the legendary Continental Baths in NYC, his wife Tracy encourages him, emphasizing how special the institution is. Michael, however, struggles with his own homophobia, yet at the same time, starts developing feelings for his confident and sexually free co-worker, Scotti.
Saturday Night at the Baths - Trailer
Watch the official trailer for this landmark piece of LGBT cinema:
Where the eternal triangle grows up
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Saturday Night at the Baths - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- David Buckley
Main Cast
- Robert Aberdeen
- Ellen Sheppard
- Don Scotti
- Steve Ostrow
- Phillip Owens
- Jane Olivor
- R. Douglas Brautingham
- Paul Ott
- Paul Vanase
- Josh Palace
Writers
- David Buckley
- Franklin Khedouri
Producers
- David Buckley
- Steve Ostrow
Saturday Night at the Baths - FAQs
What is Saturday Night at the Baths about?
Saturday Night at the Baths follows Michael, a struggling pianist who takes a job at New York City's famous Continental Baths. Despite his initial homophobia, he begins developing feelings for his free-spirited male co-worker Scotti, creating a tense romantic triangle that includes his supportive wife Tracy.
Was Saturday Night at the Baths filmed at a real location?
Yes. The film was shot on location at the actual Continental Baths in New York City, a legendary gay bathhouse that operated in the basement of the Ansonia Hotel on the Upper West Side. The venue was a celebrated hub of LGBT culture in the early 1970s and launched the careers of performers like Bette Midler.
Who are the main actors in Saturday Night at the Baths?
The film stars Robert Aberdeen as pianist Michael Lawrence, Ellen Sheppard as his wife Tracy, and Don Scotti as the charismatic co-worker Scotti. Steve Ostrow, who was the real-life owner of the Continental Baths, also appears in the film, lending it an authentic documentary quality.
Is Saturday Night at the Baths an important LGBT film?
Yes. Released in 1975, it is considered one of the earliest American films to portray gay life and a gay bathhouse with candor and relative sympathy. It documents a real and historically significant LGBT cultural space at a time when such representation in mainstream cinema was virtually nonexistent.
When was Saturday Night at the Baths released?
Saturday Night at the Baths was released on February 14, 1975 in the United States with an R rating. It later received releases in Australia on February 18, 2004, and in Italy on November 9, 2013, where it was rated VM18.
Where can you stream Saturday Night at the Baths?
Saturday Night at the Baths is available to stream on Dekkoo and OVID via flat-rate subscription, and for free with ads on The Roku Channel and Pluto TV. It can also be rented or purchased on Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube, and is available for free through Kanopy.
Who directed Saturday Night at the Baths?
Saturday Night at the Baths was directed by David Buckley, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Franklin Khedouri and served as a producer alongside Steve Ostrow, the real-life owner of the Continental Baths featured in the film.
What is the age rating for Saturday Night at the Baths?
Saturday Night at the Baths is rated R in the United States, reflecting its mature themes including sexuality, homophobia, and adult relationships. In Italy, the film carries a VM18 rating, restricting it to viewers aged 18 and over.
More About Saturday Night at the Baths
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