"The people of Boise tried to "stamp out" homosexuality. They discovered it couldn't be done. In the learning process, everybody suffered.”
—CBS News
tHE SCANDAL THAT CHANGED A SMALL TOWN
ABOUT THE FILM
In the fall of 1955, a gay sex scandal erupted in the unassuming, wholesome and “vice-less” town of Boise, Idaho, as teenage boys who had prostituted themselves to older men began to disclose their dalliances to authorities. Overnight, Boise’s homosexual underworld — comprised mostly of married family men — was splashed onto headlines and thrust into the spotlight. Reputations were shattered and lives ruined as the rumors and accusations flew. What followed was a classic witch-hunt, marked by intense homophobic hysteria, in which the whole town became embroiled.
Seth Randal’s gripping documentary The Fall of ‘55 provides unique insights into the pre-Stonewall gay experience as well as 1950s’ America’s struggle with the issue of homosexuality and the prevailing myth that it was a cancer that could be spread to the youth. Interesting parallels are also drawn with the era of McCarthyism, during which fear and paranoia supplanted rational thought, and the federal government began its own purge of gays.
The film raises many questions that prove difficult even today: With the accusers ranging in age from 14 to 21, at what age did their accusations of sexual corruption become simple hypocrisy? What kinds of behavior were immoral? How far should the community have gone to protect the youth? Who were the victims, and who were the exploited? In Boise, more than fifty years later, opinions are still deeply divided.
Since its initial release in 2006, The Fall of ’55 has been declared “the definitive work” of the 1955 “boys of Boise” scandal, and “a significant contribution to gay history.” It has appeared on screen in New York, Chicago and San Francisco, and is used as a teaching tool by universities around the U.S. and beyond. The film has been discussed by media outlets including Associated Press, National Public Radio, KCBS Radio, Variety and The New York Times.
The Fall of ’55 also inspired “The Show on the Roof,” a musical by Tom Ford and Alex Syiek for Boise Contemporary theater. The play is set for a London premiere in the near future.
REVIEWS
CREW
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Director
Seth Randal is an Emmy-nominated journalist and filmmaker based in Idaho. The Fall of ’55 is his first film. He has directed or produced numerous documentaries. Seth has worked on projects for networks including A&E, CW, Discovery, Food Network, Fox, Oxygen, and Tastemade. His next feature-length documentary project, tentatively called “Wake Island,” will explore the tragic saga of construction workers captured at the beginning of World War II.
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Executive Producer
Louise served as Executive Producer for “The Fall of ‘55,” promoting it at the American Film Market and at various film festivals, and was instrumental in obtaining distribution through Frameline in 2007. She started her movie development company, CTP Films, LLC, in 2004. Its primary goal was to find marketable scripts for films that will help build the Idaho film industry.
Louise was also a screenwriter. Her first script "The Celtic Knot" won the 2008 Arthur Rosenfeld Award for Excellence in Writing through the Action on Film International Film Festival in Pasadena. Louise also served as Co-Chair of the Idaho Screenwriters Association, and as a script consultant to Idaho filmmakers.
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Historical Advisor
Originally from Maryland, Alan Virta has been proud to call Idaho home for three decades. While living in suburban Washington, D.C., Alan penned "Prince George's County: A Pictorial History." Since moving to Idaho, he has helped edit books on various topics relevant to the Gem State's history.
Alan was formerly active in politics. At age 26, he was named as Maryland's "Young Republican of the Year." And in 1976, he served as a delegate to the GOP National Convention in Kansas City.
Alan collaborated with Seth Randal to research the 1955 Boise morals cases. That research led them throughout Idaho and beyond. Formerly an archivist at the Library of Congress, spend two decades as Head of Special Collections at Boise State University. He also served on the Idaho State Historic Records Advisory Board. -
Grammy Award-wnning musician Randy Coryell played the piano for more than 50 years, starting as a young child.
Randy performed more than 5,000 concerts and was involved in more than 40 album recordings for other artists. Randy has played for Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, The Fifth Dimension, Oak Ridge Boys, Imperials of Nashville and many more. Randy was the music Director for PTL Club with Jim & Tammy Faye Bakker and has been the Music Minister for nine different religious congregations nationwide.
He has composed music for interactive web presentations, including for Healthwise and WebMD. Since 2004, Randy has preformed with Cherie Buckner-Webb and the Celebration Choir in Boise’s annual Gene Harris Jazz Festival. When he’s not traveling extensively, Randy teaches aspiring pianists his expert skills.
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Art Director Matt Johnson took inspiration from legendary graphic designer Saul Bass for “The Fall of ‘55’s” logo and credits, particularly Bass’ work with Alfred Hitchcock. The logo features the film’s title set over a torn, stylized cottonwood leaf and gold pentagon.
The product of a nomadic childhood and a well-rounded liberal arts education, Matt Johnson works as a graphic designer by day and a cartoonist whenever he has time. When he's not working on projects, he can be found in the company of his lovely wife Wendy or spending time with his pack of dogs.
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Respected journalist Claudia Weathermon lends her voice as the narrator of "The Fall of '55." She is is a broadcast journalist whose 20-year career in the Boise area produced award-winning reports and newscasts. She continues work as a professional freelance writer, producer, narrator and consultant. Weathermon is a Treasure Valley native with a special interest in local history.
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Additional Editing By
These days, Buffy Naillon is primarily a food writer for Static Media, with articles on brand sites like Mashed, Foodie, Chowhound, and The Takeout. She has worked in the media industry since 1999, contributing to outlets like Der Spiegel Online (Berlin, Germany), USA Today Travel, AZ Central, CBS Radio, and more. For the past 10+ years, she has primarily concentrated on food, beverage, and travel reporting. Buffy was the Boise Food Examiner for the now-defunct site Examiner, where her column was number one in the Boise market and in the top five across the whole site. Her current obsession is urban sketching, and she dreams of hitting the road with about ten sketchbooks and various drawing instruments and documenting her travels (and a few of her meals) through her drawings.
Rent or Buy today
Contact Us
The Fall of ‘55 is available for public screenings, and members of the crew are available for public speaking engagements.
