Images in the Dark: An Encyclopedia of Gay and Lesbian Film and Video

by Raymond Murray

Examining homosexuality in the film industry, this guide offers reviews, biographies, photos, and information on actors, directors, writers, composers, dancers, and more

Genres: Reference, Film, LGBT, Media Tie In, Gay, Queer, Nonfiction

624 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Liam Ostermann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a marvelous work of reference - I suppose it may have been superseded by newer more-up-to-date works but I remember and still find the pleasure I had when first consulting and reading large chunks of this book. When a chance came to acquire a copy I seized it and it still sits on my shelf as a very useful source when trying to track down half remembered films and film references. Of course it is immensely indebted to Vito Russo's 'The Celluloid Closet' - which is in so many ways the foundation of queer/gay film studies. I am someone who enjoys film and enjoys reading things which are intelligent and well written about films and 'Images in the Dark' fits the bill beautifully.

Update May 2024:

I wouldn't change a word of what I said but works like this are inevitably of their time in the sense that no one now needs an encyclopedia of gay films made since the 1980s or early 90s because the position of gays is so different. Vito Russo acknowledged this is his updated edition of 'Celluloid Closet'. But things changing doesn't reduce the relevance of either the Celluloid Closet of this work. The extent and richness of Images in the Dark, particularly of film and video from non English speaking countries is even more essential. It also provides context plus the different ways this work lists films, by title, director, personalities and themes and countries makes it essential when racking your brains over a film you remember but have forgotten its title.

Still a wonderful resource - and the entries are really gems of concision and good writing.

[Anthony McGill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a terrific guide to Gay and Lesbian films up to 1996 ...... just a pity no one ever got around to updating it.

A very handsome book with an excellent easy to follow format and boasting an awesome collection of some 400 well-chosen photos which places this work way above the ordinary.

Sections divided up into: Favorite Directors / Favorite Stars / The Arts / Of Queer Interest / Of Lesbian Interest / Of Gay Interest / Of Transgender Interest / Camp / Honorable and Dishonorable Mentions complete with a very thorough index.

The 200 detailed personality profiles and more than 300 expansive film reviews are exceptional.
And when you consider the boom in gay and lesbian filmmaking in the last 20+ years, we definitely need a new volume.

But even if you may consider this too old a reference guide to bother with, think again as it is chock full of still relevant information and is a first-rate encyclopedia of gay/lesbian film history. Easily the most comprehensive and intelligent guide to 'queer cinema' I have come across. Much superior to most of the junky reference books that have followed.

[Liam McParland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less “read” than “repeatedly referenced and have probably looked at all pages”. Handy!

[Darilaros · Rating 5 out of 5]

The organization is impeccable. Entries are categorized well, and the specific type of representation is explained for each one. Imperfect representation is notated. Harmful stereotypes for other types of marginalization are notated. Honorable and dishonorable mentions are put into a separate category, which strikes a nice balance between completionism vs. "eh that's a bit of a stretch..."

Something the author couldn't have known at the time, but makes this collection extra valuable is that it was published right before the arrival of DVDs etc. It makes it easy to see which films got brought into the next century, and which might need to be resurrected.

[Victor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely one of the critical texts that laid out the banquet for my future queer feasting when I first came out over 20 years ago.
A jumping off point for queer cinema and queer hollywood.