Today, I read the sad news about the impending closure of the Liberace Museum in Las Vegas. I thought I should finally share the pictures I took at the museum last year (full flickr set).
I was happy when the ladies working at the museum told us the story of how Liberace saved Swarovski: When he called to order crystals, Liberace discovered Swarovski were on the brink of bankruptcy. He quickly upped his order to purchase their entire stock and therefore put them back into business. Gay Crystals Forever!
Liberace was the highest paid entertainer and pianist during the 1950s to 1970s; never publicly acknowledging his homosexuality. Scott Thorson, who was his partner for 5 years, sued Liberace for palimony in 1982 and would later publish “Behind The Candelabra – My Life with Liberace“. In a candid interview with Larry King from August 2002, the former bodyguard and limo-driver talks about their relationship:
Scott Thorson: “Oh, I guess he was probably in his 30s, Larry. He says [to the plastic surgeon], “I want you to create Scott to look like me when he was younger; so he looks like my son.” He wanted me as his son. But at the same time, he wanted me as his lover.”
Larry King: Bizarro.
In 2008, Variety reported that Steven Soderbergh had a biopic in the works staring Michael Douglas as Liberace and Matt Damon as his boyfriend. At a recent Q&A at Toronto International Film Festival, Matt Damon confirms that the movie is still going forward:
Q: Is the Liberace project going forward with Michael Douglas?
Matt Damon: Well, yeah, it is. We’re really excited about it. He’s obviously going through his health issues, but from what I understand, it’s not going to be a problem. The numbers are very much on his side and he’s a healthy guy, so we”™re all just hoping that everything goes well. We’re hoping to be right on track for shooting next summer. But obviously, we’re willing to wait for our star as long as we have to.
SO, we can only hope this film gets made. Matt Damon ending up looking like Michael Douglas’ son lover friend sister wife?! YES!!! Bring on the BIZARRO GAY GAYNESS.
ME WANT!
Further reading: “Thirty for 30: What to know about Liberace on landmark anniversary“, Las Vegas Sun, April 2009
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