Outfest Gets a Romantic Goodnight ‘Kiss’

They came. They celebrated. They conquered. And, lest we forget, they also made Hollywood history.

More than 1,500 men and women reveled at the first gay-themed film to premiere at Mann’s Chinese theater. Monday night’s event was the grand finale to Outfest ‘98, the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.

The screening of Trimark Pictures’ “Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss”--a romantic comedy about relationships between gays and straights, which opens Friday and was a hit at the recent Sundance Film Festival--was followed by a bash at the nearby Hollywood Entertainment Museum. The film’s stars, celebrities and party-goers roamed the museum’s exhibits, drank and ate pastries and later were entertained by drag queens, led by Mr. Dan of Silver Lake’s Dragstrip 66 venue, reprising songs from the movie.

But it was at the Mann’s premiere that Tommy O’Haver--creator, writer and director of “Billy’s”--got the crowd into the partying mood with his best zingers.

“I want to thank all the men in my life, straight or gay, who have not returned my affections,” said O’Haver, who will next direct a movie based on the Archie comic strip for Universal. “Without their constant emotional abuse, I never would have made this film.

“We’re making history here at Mann’s and doing something that most of us only dream of doing,” he said, thanking Outfest Executive Director Morgan Rumpf, festival planner John Cooper and board President Steven Raphael, as well as Trimark’s David Elzer, vice president of publicity and promotions, and Ray Price, head of the theatrical specialty division.

Of Trimark, O’Haver said: “These are people who believe in the power of ‘Billy.’ They are my guardian angels. And I hope the rest of the world will believe in the power of ‘Billy’ as well.”

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That power was evident at the premiere and post-party, attended by the film’s lead actors Sean Hayes, Brad Rowe and Meredith Scott Lynn and co-stars Paul Bartel, Carmine D. Giovinazzo and Holly Woodlawn--all swarmed by well-wishers, many with cameras.

Others attending were Jennifer Tilly, who starred in Outfest’s opening-night film “Relax . . . It’s Just Sex,” Kathy Griffin of television’s “Suddenly Susan,” Judith Light, Sir Ian McKellen, Chad Allen, Wilson Cruz, Matthew Lillard and Leanna Creel.

Party diva and host of San Francisco’s “Femme TV” show, Machiko Saito, was in full-body sequins for the event.

“I did my hair running from the parking lot to Mann’s,” she said about her foot-high ‘do, adorned with silver chopsticks.

With the theme of the premiere and party billed as “Old Hollywood Glamour,” some party-goers turned out in tuxedo chic, while others did their own thing in tuxedo coats paired with vinyl pants, camouflage trousers and fishnet tank tops, a la that International Male look.

Hayes, decked out in a tux, said he hopes filmgoers will ultimately embrace the movie “and not let down their guard as far as the gay issue goes. Billy could be your next-door neighbor, your friend, your doctor, anybody. By the end of the film, you almost forget to attach the word ‘gay’ onto Billy and just kind of appreciate him as an Everyman type of character.”

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Gladly accepting congratulations was Trimark’s Price, who said gay-themed films like this one “are not a gamble. It’s a wonderful film. It makes people feel good. That’s what movies are about. And, certainly, gay cinema is very much hitting the mainstream.”

Between kudos, hugs and kisses, Meredith Scott Lynn, the film’s co-producer (and scene stealer) said the film’s message is cut and dried: “Love is love. And gay love is just love; it’s human love, and relationships are human.”

Agreeing was Trimark’s Elzer. “This movie is so universal in its message that no matter who you are--gay or straight, man or woman, or anything in between--all you’ve got to do is look into your heart and you will find a little bit of Billy there.”