The Christine Jorgensen Story

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The Christine Jorgensen Story
Christine Jorgenson Story Poster.jpg
The Christine Jorgensen Story film poster.
Directed by Irving Rapper
Written by Robert E. Kent
Ellis St Joseph
Based onChristine Jorgensen, a Personal Autobiography
Produced by Edward Small
StarringJohn Hansen
Joan Tompkins
Quinn K. Redeker
CinematographyJacques R. Marquette
Edited byR. A. Radecki
Music by Paul Sawtell
Bert Shefter
Production
company
Distributed by United Artists
Release date
  • June 24, 1970 (1970-06-24)
Running time
89 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budgetapprox $1 million [1]
Box office$1.5 million (US/ Canada rentals) [2]

The Christine Jorgensen Story is a 1970 American drama film and a fictionalized biographical film about trans woman Christine Jorgensen. While the overall premise of the film is accurate, many of the details are fictionalized for the continuity of the film. It was directed by Irving Rapper and based on Christine Jorgensen's autobiography. [3]

Contents

Plot

Cast

Production

A film based on the book was proposed in 1960. [4] Edward Small bought the film rights in 1968. [5] Jorgensen later claimed under the contract she would be entitled to 10% of the gross and 3.5% of the budget. [1]

"Every female impersonator in the world came flying into Hollywood demanding he was Christine", said Jorgensen later. [6] George/Christine is played by John Hansen. [7]

Irving Rapper said Small gave him the job as director because it required someone who had sensitivity. [8]

Release

Reviews were mixed. [9] [10] [11]

Howard Thompson gave the film a positive review in the New York Times (7/25/70), calling it, “a pleasant surprise.” He continues: “Here is a quiet, even dignified little picture, handled professionally and tastefully, minus a touch of sensationalism. It tells a convincing story—an unseen, climatic operation is spelled out in clear, unlurid terms—with enlightening tact. It also happens to be moving, and where you would least expect it. Compared to a glittering garbage pail like “Myra Breckinridge,” the film is downright disarming.” He concludes the review, “This is essentially a decent film that says a bit and implies much about human courage, sensitivity and plain pluck.”

Jorgensen later unsuccessfully tried to get a restraining order to stop Small's estate from exploiting the film, claiming Small diverted $100,000 owed to her for his own use. [1] Jorgensen said she was worried United Artists would exploit the film as a B movie. [12]

Home media

The Christine Jorgensen Story was released on DVD by MGM Home Entertainment on October 12, 2011, through its Ultimate Collection DVD-on-demand service.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Perlman, Jeffrey (September 3, 1977). "Aimed At Film Producer's Estate: Christine Jorgensen Denied Court Order". Los Angeles Times . p. 10.
  2. ↑ "Big Rental Films of 1970", Variety, January 6, 1971, p 11
  3. ↑ Markoutsas, Elaine (January 14, 1979). "Christine Jorgensen celebrates 26 years as a woman". Chicago Tribune . p. 3.
  4. ↑ Scheuer, Philip K (January 29, 1960). "Type Casting Given New Twist by Duo". Los Angeles Times . p. A7.
  5. ↑ Martin, Betty (October 4, 1968). "Miss Jorgensen's Story Sold". Los Angeles Times . p. 15.
  6. ↑ Kramer, Carol (July 26, 1970). "Miss Jorgensen Operates On a Sense of Humor". Chicago Tribune . p. 5.
  7. ↑ "Youth, 18, Accepts 'Christine' Role". Los Angeles Times . October 16, 1969. p. 13.
  8. ↑ Thomas, Kevin (April 24, 1970). "The Problems of Directing 'Christine'". Los Angeles Times . p. H1.
  9. ↑ Arnold, Gary (July 13, 1970). "'Christine': Film". The Washington Post and Times-Herald. p. C5.
  10. ↑ Greenspun, Roger (July 25, 1970). "Screen: 'You Can't Win' Em All' Proves a Cliche: Collinson's Caper Film Written by Gordon Story of a Sex Change Also Opens Here". The New York Times . p. 12.
  11. ↑ Malcolm, Derek (September 17, 1970). "Has anybody here seen Kelly?". The Guardian . London. p. 8.
  12. ↑ "Notes on People". New York Times. September 8, 1977. p. 62.
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