“Everybody’s Talkin”’ in Palm Springs about “Midnight Cowboy,” the only X-rated film to win Best Picture at the Oscars.
That’s because the 1969 film will be celebrated Saturday at The Palm Springs Cultural Center with a screening and discussion with Michael Childers the on-set photographer for the film and also the partner of John Schlesinger, the film’s director.
Schlesinger died in Palm Springs in 2003.
“Everybody’s Talkin”’ was the song featured in the film and sung by Harry Nilsson. It became a hit and won a Grammy.
“Midnight Cowboy” was ground-breaking in its portrayal of an unlikely friendship between a naive hustler from Texas and a fast-talking con artist, organizers said. “At the time, the nudity and the frank portrait of prostitution and homosexuality was shocking,” Roger Ebert wrote in July 1994 on why the film was rated `X.’
The movie was later re-rated as `R’ without having to cut any scenes, according to Mental Floss. “A Clockwork Orange” and “Last Tango in Paris” also received Oscar nominations with X-ratings.
The film features Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight and was nominated for seven Academy Awards in 1970, winning three for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay Based On Material From Another Medium, according to IMDB. The film currently ranks 36 on the American Film Institute’s list of 100 Greatest Films of All Time.
In addition to the 7:30 p.m. screening, which includes rarely seen screen tests for Jon Voight, Schlesinger’s partner and the on-set photographer for the film, Michael Childers, will discuss the making of the film, organizers said. The discussion will be moderated by Variety Editor Emeritus Peter Bart.
Behind-the-scene pictures for “Midnight Cowboy” taken by Childers will be on display in the main gallery for a two-week exhibition, organizers said. Photos will include Warhol’s “superstars” who made cameos in the film.