This is one of the amazing facts you find out in the fascinating new documentary aptly called "Studio 54" by film maker Matt Tyrnauer. It's a compelling look at the rise and fall of this NYC icon through the story of its owners Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager, who both saw some jail time as a result of income tax evasion and drug possession. Rubell, of course, died of AIDS in the late 80s. Ironically, Schrager has continued to thrive as a hotel tycoon.
Tyrnauer takes a very smart approach to telling this story. He easily could have sought out some of the club's famous celebrity patrons and got their take on those memorable nights. But, why seek out fuzzy memories from the likes of Liza Minnelli and Bianca Jagger when you have Ian Schrager ready, willing, and able to tell his tale? Schrager's insights are the focal point of this piece and the documentary is better for it.
Of course, Studio 54 was born originally out of the gay community's affection for disco music. As a matter of fact, Tyrnauer tells us over 50% of the staff at the club didn't make into the 90s thanks to the HIV virus. But, then again, Studio 54 barely made it into the 80s thanks to FBI raids of all their receipts. It turns out the owners were regularly skimming millions of dollars off the nightly take at the disco.
Rubell was the front guy. The one at the door who decided which celebrities got to come in. Schrager was the guy behind the scenes. Regardless, they both sank as quickly as they rose. Brash, arrogant, and then fatally stupid. I mean, Roy Cohn was their lawyer. What do you expect?
Tyrnauer's work here is terrific. There are many shots of the action inside the club and that's interesting given that cameras were not allowed into the place. That footage, combined with a lot of news clips, covers the story completely. And, as you learn from one of those epilogue slide cards, you learn that Ian Schrager was ultimately granted a pardon from his crimes by one President Obama. Hmmm. I wonder just how much money Schrager donated to the Obama coffers. It just goes to prove that the shenanigans never really end, do they?
Years after Studio 54 closed, I actually went to a play there. It has been converted into a legitimate Broadway theater. I remember looking around the balcony and wondering what I would hear if those walls could talk. Thanks to Matt Tyrnauer's fine documentary, I can hear those walls now loud and clear.
LEN'S RATING: Three-and-a-half stars.
Dinner last night: Lasagna.
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