WATCH: This steamy ’70s dramedy offers a rare peek inside a famed NYC bathhouse
Related: Back To The Continental: The Birthplace Of Bette Midler, House Music And Gay SexThankfully, The Continental’s unique pleasures remain preserved on film in director David Buckley’s Saturday Night At The Baths from 1975.
The sex-positive dramedy was groundbreaking for its time, openly discussing sexuality and presenting queer characters who were more than a punchline or a tragic plot device.Its story focuses on a musician named Michael (Robert Aberdeen), a Montana transplant who takes a job as a piano player at The Continental with encouragement from his girlfriend, Tracy (Ellen Sheppard).
The couple becomes fast friends with bathhouse manager Scotti (Don Scotti), who seems to sense something in Michael—is there a mutual attraction there?
While Michael might be in denial, Tracy proves to be open-minded and pushes her beau to explore things further.It’s safe to say this love triangle, of sorts, brings all three of them out of their shells.
