The Work of Nathan Lane
Stage
Film
TV
Guest Appearances
Bibliography
Audio Recordings

Fan Stuff
Chat
Fan List
Mystery Pictures

Site Info
FAQ
Site Updates
Links
Boy wants to marry girl. Boy's parents are two gay men. Girl's parents are conservative right wingers. Boy asks drag queen "mother" to stay out of the picture. Mayhem, comedy, and much cross-dressing ensues.

Filmed in L.A. and Florida, The Birdcage opened on March 8, 1996 and is by far Nathan's most successful movie (in which he appeared visually as well as through voice). The Birdcage was the 7th highest grossing film in 1996.

Based on the French play La Cage aux Folles, but updated to the current South Beach (FL) scene, the film is a visual delight.

VIDEO and DVD
From MGM/UA Home Video
Video
119 min.
VHS
 VHS Widescreen
 VHS Spanish Subtitles
 DVD

SOUNDTRACK
Original United Artists
Motion Picture Soundtrack

Edel America Records
8212529782

Available at Amazon.com

Birdcage CD Cover


BOOKS

The Birdcage : The Shooting Script
(Newmarket Shooting Script Series)
by Elaine May, Mike Nichols (Introduction)
Paperback, 176 pages
Newmarket Press: February 1997
ISBN: 1557042772

This is a wonderful book. It includes the entire script (though, some changes were made during filming).
There are many pictures, the great intro by Mike Nichols, other information about the cast, and the most complete crew list I've ever seen.

The Birdcage : A Novel
by Robert Rodi, Elaine May, Jean Cage Aux Folles Poiret
Paperback Plume Books: April 1, 1996
ISBN: 0452276683

-- 3/19/99 Michel Fink NY Daily News:

"Look for a sequel to "The Birdcage." But don't expect
Robin Williams to return for a starring role in the film.

Word has it that Williams has opted only for a very small
part. Even so, that's not stopping Nathan Lane from
reprising his role.

There's another big change to the movie. "Birdcage II" was
originally conceived as a political comedy involving Lane's
cross-dressing character infiltrating the religious right
in an attempt to sabotage the presidential aspirations of Gene
Hackman's character.

Then came "Primary Colors" and "Bulworth," two political
comedies that didn't exactly catch fire at the box office.
That sent "The Birdcage" people back to square one looking
for a new premise."


-- 1997 Variety/Reuters:

	    "HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - United Artists is proceeding
with a sequel to "The Birdcage," the 1996 box office
hit starring Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, sources said
Tuesday.


	    The studio has hired Emmy-winning scribe Bruce
Vilanch to write "Birdcage II," and will attempt to
cast stars from the original production, which was written by
Elaine May.  The comedy about a gay couple that pretends to
be straight was based on the French film, "La Cage Aux
Folles."

	    Vilanch has written the Oscars for the last nine years.
He also has written stage shows for the likes of Bette Midler
and Barry Manilow.


	    UA had no comment."



Comments or corrections, please contact
webmaster@nathanlane.com