Bette Midler - Continental Baths Concert
 (1971)
Music, Queer Themes/Interest
Not In Collection
#1006
8*
Seen It:  Yes
(6/21/2017)
55 mins USA / English
VoD 
Bette Midler Herself
Barry Manilow Pianist


In this stunning archival footage, we see what is thought to be Bette’s actual farewell appearance at the Baths, the now-iconic relic of a pre-AIDS existence in the late ’60s, early ’70s.
Due to her performances at the baths, Bette Midler earned the nickname Bathhouse Betty. It was at the Continental, accompanied by pianist Barry Manilow, that she created her stage persona the Divine Miss M.
Edition Details
No. of Discs/Tapes 1
References
Streaming, VoD YouTube

Notes
While the quality of this video is poor, it is an important archive of gay cultural heritage· The Continental Baths predates the Stonewall milestone· While there were other gay bath houses in NYC that predate the Continental, none had its panache· I myself had my first "baths" experience in 1958/59 during a visit to NYC while still in high school· There is no doubt that the Continental's prominence, respect for its patrons, and entertainment, had a seminal influence on the nascent gay liberation movement.