Front Runner: The Movie

Dateline: 03/06/98

Many, many, many, years ago, before I was out, I went to the local grocery store and while standing in the check-out line I spied a paperback in the rack. It was called The Front Runner. I don't know what drew me to it. I don't know what possessed me to pick it up. I don't know why I bought it. (Okay, I do know, but we can talk about my subconscious knowledge of self some other time, or you can just read my personal coming out story in our Coming Out Stories Gallery.)

I read it. I loved it.

A bit later I heard that Paul Newman had optioned the rights, and I pictured him as Harlan Brown with no problem.

Whether it was due to a Hollywood who didn't think that the public was ready for a "gay" Paul Newman, or a concern that a "gay" movie didn't have much marketability, the movie was never made (and like most Hollywood projects, passed through many hands along the way).

At least not yet.

Recently, the author, Patricia Nell Warren, was able to regain the rights to The Front Runner and it's possible that the movie may now be made.

Unfortunately, as gorgeous as he remains, Paul Newman is probably a bit too old to play Harlan Brown. (I continue to be available to double-date with Paul and his wife, Joanne Woodward, any time, any place - and by double-date I mean I'll go out with both of them.)

I've been blessed with the opportunity to correspond with Ms. Warren off and on over the past several years. Recently, the question arose: Who should be cast in the vital roles?

While I certainly won't have a voice in the decision, it surely is fun to speculate and try and decide what choices I would make, were it my place to do so.

The nicest part of imaginary casting is that there are no budget concerns. So, here are my picks:

Character/Description	Suggested Actor
Harlan Brown "Tough" Coach. Billy's Lover	Kevin Bacon
Billy Sive The "Front Runner"	Nicholas Brendon
Vince Matti Insolent tall and rangy	Matt Dillon
Jacques LaFont Auburn Hair. Motorcycle Jacket type.	Edward Norton
John Sive Billy's Dad. Rights Activist	Patrick Stewart
Delphine de Devigny John's Transvestite Spouse.	Who else but RuPaul although T says, "That's too obvious."
Joe Prescott College President	Jason Alexander
Marian Prescott Mrs. College President	Christine Baransky
Betsy Heden Lesbian Friend	Winona Ryder
Steve Goodnight Wealthy Friend	David Geffen [giggle]
"Angel Gabriel" Impossible to describe	...or to cast
Mike Stella Running Friend	Will Smith
Gus Lindquist The trio's old coach. A bad guy.	Gene Hackman
Armas Sepponan Billy's running "Rival"	Antonio Sabato Jr.

You'll never believe how many changes I made to this list while creating it. I wanted so much to find parts for so many other actors. There are just too many possibilities. Here's a thought.... why don't you share yours at our bulletin boards?

In Pride,

Deborah