Everyone goes through a lesbian movie phase. That time when you devour every lesbian movie ever made in a mad frenzy of curiosity, anthropological discovery and how-to guide practicality. It’s that time of your life when you actually watched “Claire of the Moon” and “Bar Girls” from start to finish. That time of your life when you’d watch an entire movie just to see Jennifer Connelly and Kristy Swanson kiss for like a half second, and was excited for that half second.Of course, almost more fun that recalling your lesbian movie phase if comparing notes on your lesbian movie phase with other lesbians. The only thing that can redeem the irreplaceable 95 minutes of your life you spent on “Bar Girls” is to share your pain with others who also spent those 95 minutes wondering if perhaps lesbianism wasn’t such a good idea after all. But the really great thing about comparing notes on one’s LMP is to introduce someone to an entirely new lesbian movie genre. Hence this weekend I introduced some friends to the sublime British smut that is “Tipping the Velvet.”
Now, the first time I saw the BBC adaptation of Sarah Waters’ lesbo suit-and-bodice ripper was on BBC America. And the problem with watching the BBC in America is our Puritan roots start to show and you miss all the good bits. Having read the book as well, it was a far cry from the sweaty, thrusting romp through Victorian England that I remembered. But then I watched the British version. Oh, BBC, you so naughty.
So, naturally, I showed my friends the good version. And darn it if we didn’t stay up until 5 a.m. watching the adventures of Nan and her magic fingers (and other add-ons). I’m fairly certain I’ve created a new customer for “Fingersmith” as well. So in case, by some fluke, “Tipping the Velvet” has escaped your LMP as well or if you just want to relive the naughtiest of the naughty bits with me, here is an entirely NFSW trip down memory lane. I can’t believe they played this on regular old TV in the UK. Oh, to be British.
[REMINDER: Totally, completely, really not kidding NSFW]
As I told my friends when it was all over: “You’re welcome.”
23 comments:
I love your adaptation of thought regarding these movies. Sadly, I have never been told to watch any lesbian movie. Probably because I am straight but I'm also very open minded and I do believe to understand one another and accept without judgement means we must be open to things that may initially seem uncomfortable but in the end, give us a much broader picture of walking in anothers shoes even if only metaphorically. I think I shall have to watch this movie that seems to move you. Thanks for the heads up. Tazzy
i can't help thinking about the parody by French & Saunders :)
Dear Dorothy, I'd love to know if you have any response to Mr. Finnell's invitation to visit his blog. Or if you feel its better to ignore individuals who may have accidentally found themselves here with us and are passively expressing their unsolicited disapproval.
I personally love and appreciate your blog and read it everyday. I actually watched Tipping the Velvet and read the book, during my LMP. (The unedited version, which I purchased.) It was VERY titillating as well as incredibly educational. I applaud your reminder or the introduction, as it were, to anyone not acquainted with this fine visual interpretation of an equally fine novel. I think I shall watch some of it this evening. :)
I loved reading "Tipping the Velvet" even more than "Fingersmith"
Thanks for posting these!
I clicked on S. Finnell's blog. It's awfully narrow in scope, but if you're feeling the need for dense, almost indecipherable christianity served up on a sword and cooked over Hellfire, then it's all laid out there for you.
Unfortunately I just ate a bean burrito from the gas station and I'm too full to truly appreciate what Finnell is selling. Desperate fear and salvation are best on an empty stomach.
... stop giving me reasons to cross the Atlantic... I have too many already =)
seriously though, it's things like this that make me envy the Brits. thank you for sharing (I was just in the right mood for another LMP too)
I spent maybe 20 minutes in the movie theatre watching Claire of the Moon. When I got up to leave, I looked around to see a full house of lesbians so desperate for a lesbian flick that they would even watch such trash. Poorly written, poorly made.
:)
The BBC actually got complaints about the screening of Tipping the Velvet - not because of the lesbian content, but the promos for it had led the audience to believe it was more raunchy than it actually was.
Dearest Mr. Finnell,
You, in return, are invited to lick my pussy.
I know you won't do a very good job, but since we're using this space to extend invitations to try things we're not at all interested in, well, there you go.
Anyway, thanks Snarker for the reminder of this lovely British smut.
I too envy the Brits their non-crazy Christian Fundamentalist induced censorship of good smut. In other words, their ability to be grownups.
oops, I meant lack of said crazy christian fundamentalist induced smut.
i'm all flustered for some reason.
FUCK!
I meant lack of the censorship of the smut!
haha! i was thinking about the freanch and saunders parody too :)
also, just for reference, in medical terminology 'LMP' stands for "last menstrual period". kinda didnt sit right reading about the hilarity of comparing LMPs...
Bar Girls! Clair of the Moon! AARGH!
During my LMP this was all I could get my hands on. Oh, and Personal Best *shudder* and that one LA Law kiss. Thank goodness indeed for modernity and lesbian chic, and for the Australian Broadcasting Commission that also saw fit to show this wonderful series in all its glory.
H.A.W.T. Thanks for the reminder.
It seems so tame now, all these years later. When I was 14 or however old this miniseries was possibly the most exciting thing that ever happened.
I don't know about films, but if you want an English TV series, you could do worse than At Home With the Braithwaites...
Oh and: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdNitiDM9GE Present.
In the past I have never had ant desire to read Tipping The Velvet... now I find that not only will I have to, I have to watch the movie as well.
As for my 1st Lesbian Movie it was Better Than Chocolate... no that is the name of the movie, I can't actually say the movie IS better than chocolate but it was amusing.
Ahhhh... Jennifer Connelly and Kristy Swanson in Higher Learning. Kristy was bi-curious and Jennifer was so granola-with-yogurt.
my first? "The Bostonians" (1984)... Despite Lady Redgrave, I almost quit my lesbianhood. It´s a sort of movie that makes Leviticus 18:22 sounds real.
Just love Sarah Walters novels. Here, Fingersmith and Tipping the Velvet came trought cable tv - no cuts at all! I hope BBC go soon to the "The Night Watch". Nicely written as well.
Damn it! Now I have to watch it all over again!
With me it always seems like my LMP is settling down UNTIL I see one tiny little clip....and yes it's back again!
haha. love you for mentioning it though.
I am still very deep in my LMP, and I am halfway through watching all of this movie on youtube. I spoke with a British accent all day today :)
Oh my fuck, At Home With the Braithwaites! One of the very, very few shows I have ever watched as appointment tv. As British tv goes, it is GLORIOUS. (And Virginia can do me any day, if she'd just BRUSH HER DAMN HAIR.)
I watched the original DVD so no censorship, but I must be very picky because I was disappointed by it all the same, having read the book first. They changed the character of Florence completely for no particular reason (or maybe cause she was too political) and the romantic and sexy scenes weren't as sexy and romantic as in the book. The acting was dreadful, too.
The only thing I really liked was watching the singing parts. Those added a lot to the book.
But I do appreciate the BBC for making it in the first place.
The BBC has made another BRILLIANT victorian lesbian drama recently, and it's not even fiction!
It's called "The secret diaries of Anne Lister"
If you haven't watched it yet, DO CHECK IT OUT :)
It doesn't compare to the book, but thanks for reminding me how amazing the Brits are.
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