Third Man Out
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Movie Reviews of Third Man Out
Movie Review: Classy first installment in gay detective series
Summary: 5 Stars
"THIRD MAN OUT: A Donald Strachey Mystery" (2005) stars openly-gay actor Chad Allen, as the Albany NY gay private eye made popular by the series of novels by Richard Stevenson.
In this first in a series of HERE!TV made-for-cable films based on the series, Donald is hired by John Rutka (Jack Weatherall, who was Uncle Vic in Showtime's "Queer As Folk" series), a controversial gay activist known for "outing" closeted gays who publicly oppose equal rights. Rutka has received numerous death threats based on his work, and hires Strachey for protection following his hospitalization for a gunshot wound. However, Strachey finds out that Rutka orchestrated the shooting, to try to call attention to the more serious threats he has received, and drops the case for deceiving him. The next day, Rutka is announced as the victim of a kidnapping and murder, where the body was burned so badly that dental records and the gunshot would were the only things that identified him. Stunned by the news, Strachey vows to help Rutka's surviving lover solve the mystery of his death, concentrating on three individuals who were likely to be "outed" by him in future months, and would therefore benefit by his being silenced.
Having read the original book, I thought tha screenplay adaptation was excellent, and the movie was well-acted and produced. The director intentionally gave the piece a 1930's "film noir" feel, as a homage to his appreciation for the "Thin Man" series of that era. Allen is believeable in the role, and the chemistry is good with the actor who plays his life partner. Veteran character actor Weatherall is perfect as Rutka, as are those in supporting roles. Porn star Matthew Rush has a cameo as an informant. Rated R for sexual content and nudity, extras on the DVD are limited to trailers and a "Making of" featurette. I give it a full five stars out of five.
Movie Review: The Third Man meets Beautiful Thing
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the most satisfying "gay" films I've seen since "Beautiful Thing," and one of the best mystery-married pairings since John and Sherlock, or should I say Nick and Nora. It's the story of Donald Strachey, tough guy P.I. with a shady past and a sweet tooth for guy pal Sebastian Spence. It's a good story, not a great one, with a sultry jazz score and topical references to such controversial subjects as celebrity outing and pedophiliac priests. What makes it work is the unconventional casting of Chad Allen (who is gay himself, but whose somewhat beat-up good looks don't conform to cinematic stereotypes of gay--although one character dubs him "Nancy-boy Drew") as Strachey, who just happens to be very happily married to Timothy (played by Sebastian Spence, who is apparently straight, and maybe that's why his character overdoes the nelly a bit). Allen, as Strachey, is developing very nicely as an actor, and he's more interesting looking now than he ever was as a child. In "Third Man Out," he gets solid support from QAF's Jack Wetherall and Sean Young. Apparently, this is the first in a series, based on the novels by Richard Stevenson and set, contrarily, in Albany, rather than in New York City or San Francisco. Hopefully, it will prove popular enough with its intended audience that other books in the series will also be filmed. Apart from the rather pedestrian direction (by Ron Oliver) and a couple of too obvious twists in the plot, "Third Man" is entertaining throughout.
Movie Review: NO TRANSLATION REQUIRED
Summary: 5 Stars
Down through the years, I've been an intense fan of the Detective/Mystery "Film Noir" type of film. The very early: "Thin Man" films have always been favorites of mine. Up until viewing "Third Man out" which is based on a Donald Starchey novel, I've always had to translate the Detective/Mystery film that I was experiencing into my own particular lifestyle. Not with "Third Man out". It required NO translation on my part; it is a film that I can understand completely--a gay detective, a story about the murder of a rather radical gay activist with suspects ranging from closeted government officials, church hierarchy to the man's own partner. Added to this is a wonderful sound tract, a smoked filled night club with martinis, a "cool" jazz singer, a plot with many twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, unsavory nasty looking characters, the question if it is right thing to do to "out" hypocritical powerful individuals or not and MOST OF ALL, wonderfully acted lead roles that are filled with very appealing actors.
Chad Allen is simply great as a very tough gay detective that only shows his "soft side" in dealing with his partner as played so marvelously and with lots of humor by Sebastian Prince. In fact, all of the actors in this film are wonderful. I particularly liked Jack Wetheral (the uncle in "Queer as Folks") as the "gay activist".
I truly loved this film and have ordered the next one!
Movie Review: this is an amazing movie
Summary: 5 Stars
This has to be one of my favorite gay-themed movies that I've recently bought. I was glad to have bought this because I had two bad movies in the mix with this one for my last purchase. It was a sigh of relief. The character that Chad Allen plays, Donald Strachey, is done wonderfully. He has this tough side that he uses for work as a P.I. dectective, but then when he comes home to Timothy, his partner, and becomes this sweet, caring, thoughtful, loving man that wants to just separate his work from home life.
By taking on the task of protecting John Rutka, an outspoken gay activist, he soon realizes that some people aren't really who they say they are. He comes to find out that the type of person John Rutka is is really a man that believes that people should be honest about their sexuality, and doesnt see the harm in outing people when they haven't done so already themselves. We see that some politicans, tv actors, and a priest are really gay themselves, but do everything in their power to keep that part of them a secret and really just away from the press.
I'm so glad that I bought this movie, you should defidently go and purchase this movie, it's worth your while. A++++
Movie Review: Mr. Strachey makes his film debut
Summary: 5 Stars
I enjoyed this first film adaptation of the Donald Strachey novels. Modern but tinged with stylish retro touches (opening credits, martinis, etc.) as the talented Chad Allen expertly handles the role of a gay detective asserting himself in a sometimes indifferent world. We are introduced to the charming & amusing relationship between Strachey & his conservative city official husband, Tim Callahan (played wonderfully by Sebastian Spence). Here, Strachey (begrudgingly, because he & Tim need the money) takes on the case of a not-so-loved gay activist (Jack Wetherall from "Queer as Folk") who feels he's doing public officials a favor by outing them, with Strachey's ethics at odds with his. Sure enough, amidst death threats, someone does do the man in, and the plot thickens, as some unusual suspects complicate matters.
Allen seems to be the perfect Strachey from the get-go; Spence is equally good as Tim, but needs to pull back the prissiness a bit. "Third Man Out" is a good start for the series; but the best is yet to come with the following novel adaptations.
Thanks Here! for bringing Strachey into our homes & presenting a strong gay role model!