This article is about the 1974 pornographic film. For the Luis Buñuel film, see
Él (film).
1974 American film
Him
Directed by
Ed D. Louie
Starring
Gustav "Tava" Von Will
Release date
March 27, 1974 (1974-03-27)
Country
United States
Language
English
Him is a 1974 American
gay pornographicfeature film produced for gay audiences.[1] It was directed by Ed D. Louie (found to be the multidisciplinary artist Ed Lui)[2] and featured gay mural artist Gustav "Tava" Von Will in the role of Jesus.[3]
Background
The film focuses on a young
gay man who develops an erotic fixation with the life of
Jesus Christ. The film initially premiered on 27 March 1974 at the
55th Street Playhouse at 154 West 55th Street in
New York City.[4] This run lasted until 23 May 1974. It returned to the Playhouse on 6 December 1974,[5] and January 1976.[6] The film also played at the
Bijou Theater in Chicago,[7] the Nob Hill Theatre in San Francisco,[8] the Sansom Cinema in Philadelphia,[9] Gay Paree Theatre in Atlanta,[10] Wood Six Theatre in
Highland Park,[11] the David Theatre in New York City,[12] and the Penthouse Theatre in Pittsburgh.[13]
As of 2024[update], no extant copies of Him have been located. The online magazine Film Threat cited it among the most sought-after
lost films.[15]
Some online commentary attempted to debunk Him as a hoax, owing to the Medveds' admission in The Golden Turkey Awards that their book included a non-existent film which they challenged readers to identify.[16][17] However, the hoax entry was Dog of Norway, a fictitious film illustrated with a photograph of the Medveds' pet dog.[3]
Reviews of Him from
Screw magazine, Variety, and The Village Voice[18] have also been uncovered;[3][19] along with a number of newspaper advertisements for its New York theatrical run.[3][20] The film also received a passing mention in Time magazine.[21]
More information on "Ed D. Louie" has been uncovered, finding that he was actually Ed Lui, a multidisciplinary artist and a nephew of the
55th Street Playhouse owner Frank Lee.[2]
^Anderson, Billy A. (16 December 2005).
"HIM, Reviewed by Al Goldstein". Mesmerize. Archived from
the original on 15 July 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2010. quoting Goldstein, Al (29 April 1974). "Dirty Diversions: Queen of the Jews: Christ's Second Coming". Screw. 21.