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1. #1 posted by the other andrew

   

   I remember seeing some old After Dark magazines years ago, and was struck by the mixture of arts coverage and what amounted to softcore pron for gay men. Lots of dancer boy bulges under the guise of art. The Flickr sets you linked to are fab, lots of homoerotic vintage deliciousness! Thanks for the link.

   Nov 27th, 2007

2. #2 posted by John

   

   Yeah, I’ve been going through those pages all day, there’s some really hot stuff there! Lots of obscure stuff as well, like the Lindsay Kemp pics.

   I hadn’t come across After Dark before, I’m sure copies must have made their way over here but I don’t recall seeing any. It does what Films and Filming used to do with cinema, F&F being a film review mag that filled its pages with titillating stills (always b&w) of nude actors. AD is better though–more gay, more variety and better pictures.

   Nov 27th, 2007

3. #3 posted by the other andrew

   

   And I love the fact that it was kind of shameless too. I mean “we’re a SERIOUS arts magazine *wink* *wink*, so here are a heap of pretty boys in their underwear!”

   I’m a huge fan of vintage homoerotica, so this is like an Aladdin’s cave… :)

   Nov 27th, 2007

4. #4 posted by Thombeau

   

   “After Dark” was a fabulous magazine! I forgot all about it!

   That top picture is outrageously delicious.

   I did a post last week on Lindsay Kemp; I always thought he was in Spandau Ballet!

   (heh heh.)

   Nov 27th, 2007

5. #5 posted by Thombeau

   

   Ooh, an interesting thing about the terrific link: “Hilly Blue” was the name of the MALE character played by Divine in the fabulous Alan Rudolph film “Trouble in Mind”. The movie also includes a gorgeous butt-shot of a young and studly Keith Carradine. Just thought I’d mention it.

   Nov 27th, 2007

6. #6 posted by Thombeau

   

   AND FURTHERMORE: Speaking of “Salome”—which I see is a recurring item here—have you ever seen Ken Russell’s “Salome’s Last Dance”? It is BEYOND FABULOUS! One of my all-time very favorite things ever.

   Nov 27th, 2007

7. #7 posted by John

   

   Spandau Ballet…ugh! Mr Kemp may have worn some outrageous outfits over the years (not least the huge penis he sports in Sebastiane) but I bet he never stooped to wearing tablecloths!

   Well spotted about Hilly Blue, I love Trouble in Mind but forgot Divine’s name in that. A great, weird little film, I need to watch it again. I love the way Keith Carradine’s hair gets larger and more extravagant as he becomes increasingly power-crazed.

   I avoided Russell’s Salome when it appeared having lost my patience with him by that point. I rated his earlier films a great deal but Lair of the White Worm made me snap… My loss, I know. I should give it another chance.

   Nov 27th, 2007

8. #8 posted by Thombeau

   

   Oh, “Salome’s Last Dance” more than makes up for “Lair of the White Worm”, which was utter silliness! “Salome” has it’s silliness too, but it’s balanced by great acting and terrific sets. And GLENDA JACKSON! There are moments of true beauty in it. Very theatrical (not unlike Jarman or films like “Lilies”).

   Still hasn’t come out on dvd in the US, so I’m clinging to my vhs tape!

   Nov 27th, 2007

9. #9 posted by Max

   

   I was a close friend of the Editor in Chief and creator of After Dark, Bill Como. He had an amazing ability to recognise talent and included stars to be like Meryl Streep on the front cover of the magazine long before they made it.
   He was also Editor in Chief of dance magazine and a doyen of NYC society. Most importantly he love the entertainment business and arts.
   Its great that some of you are rediscovering the wonderful magazine AD was and the superb photography of Ken Duncan, Jack Mitchell and the like which hasn’t neen matched since.

   Oct 16th, 2008

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