paulh71133 In 1970, when the film was first released, I was a 36/37 year old gay man who had just left a wife of 10 1/2 years and 2 children. I had spent 35 years in a closet pretending to be someone I wasn't. During the first few years after my divorce I was desperately searching for an identity. Dinah East was, to me an amazing experience. Yes, it was 'amateurish'. But, it is now an historic film for many reasons. In one of the preceding reviews the film is treated like trash! How unfortunate the reviewer has no understanding of films attempting to show how gay men and women live. If you want exploitative, try "Advise and Consent", "Tea and Sympathy", The Killing of Sister George", or any of dozens of films where gay men and lesbians are depicted as sick, crazy, killers etc. Edward Everett Horton will always be remembered for his many roles as an obvious flaming queen. Or, re-watch Dynasty. Linda Evens and Joan Collins did their level best to portray flamboyant drag queens. But, Jeremy Stockwell did his best to portray a real woman. No outlandish costumes, no wild movements. Just a subdued portrayal of a woman, despite the fact that she wasn't. The entire film, which I just saw again, (April 2010) is an historical footnote to Hollywoods portrayal of homosexuals. And, for everyones information, there is no, repeat no, steamy sex between two men. A kiss is hardly steamy sex. There is one scene between two lesbians that starts to get graphic when Dinah interrupts them, does that count? Hardly! In any event, I would hope that someone who has the where withall, and the ability, can see to it's restoration. It does have historical significance and shouldn't be overlooked.

InSearchOfMaeWest By R. Mark Desjardins (Vancouver, B.C. Canada) Dinah East is one of those rare cinematic romps that appeals to absolutely everybody; hot- blooded heterosexuals, lusty lesbians, horny homos, titillating transvestites, and even nefarious necrophiliacs! Written and produced by Gene Nash in 1970, starring renown transvestite, Jeremy Stockwell, and featuring Andy Warhol alumni, Ultra Violet, the film parallels several key aspects of Mae West's career. It is this connection, however tenuous, that makes this long unavailable camp classic so controversial. Advertisements for Dinah East claim the movie was pulled from distribution after Mae West filed a successful lawsuit stating the film slandered her name, and then proceeded to buy and destroy as many prints of the film she could find. However, the following facts seem to be at odds with these claims. In 1982, Gene Nash told the LA Times that he had given Mae West and Paul Novak a private screening of the film in 1970. West found the film entertaining and made a few suggestions to "beef up the dialog" which Nash was unable to do, as the filming had wrapped up. Certainly Variety would have run a story on any Mae West lawsuit. Stanley Musgrove who was her publicist at the time would have brought the topic up with friends, and Kevin Thomas who was a film critic at the LA Times would most likely have known about any such lawsuit as well. Since no word of this was ever brought forth, it is highly possible that West never brought about a lawsuit. The Mae West overtures aside, Dinah East stands on its own merits. The characters are colorful and engaging, the sets are over the top and the scene set in a gay bar complete with a nude go-go boy in a cage is delightfully wacky. Good humored fun and a sensitive examination of a subject that would have been handled in a tacky way by a less enlightened director. What is not generally known about Gene Nash is that he had a show business background and worked with Eddy Cantor in his later years, once filling in for him and nobody noticed the difference. Nash also produced, directed as well as wrote the movie screenplay and all of the songs for the film, What Am I Bid?, featuring the legendary country and western entertainer, Leroy Van Dyke. Other stars who appeared in the film include Al Hirt, Tex Ritter and Faron Young. My request for information about Gene Nash went unanswered by Paula Stewart, credited as Co-Producer of Dinah East. Stewart, currently a weekly host on KCLA FM in Los Angeles, is working on a biography of Lucille Ball. Dinah East is a blast from the past that is still fun and essential viewing for today's jaded sensibilities.

lightkeeper-1 I saw this movie and thoroughly enjoyed it, however few today seem to know anything about it. Ever since I have had a VCR, I have looked for it on video and now I would like to have it on DVD. I am sure there would be a market for it if someone would release it!

rptrav This movie was totally before its time..A great adaptation of what Hollywood was like way back then, when there were limited acting parts for men ...A very early Tootsie!!! Can't wait for it to be available on video and or dvd!!