Steven Soderbergh’s 2013 HBO film Behind The Candelabra is the brutally honest, darkly funny story about the often-toxic relationship between pianist Liberace (affectionately referred to as Lee by characters throughout the film) and his younger lover, Scott Thorson. The movie, which stars Michael Douglas as Liberace and Matt Damon as Thorson, goes into the very private life of the legendary virtuoso and divulges some juicy facts many never knew. Based on the book of the same name by Thorson, the wild and sometimes tragic story is an intimate look at a fallen Hollywood star.
Click through for 25 fascinating facts about Behind The Candelabra.
queerty
Lent is the correct conjugation of lend.
Lended is an incorrect conjugation of lend.
abfab
Oh my dear, Liberace never celebrated lent. xo
MSM
Thanks for posting that. I cringed when i read lended and wonder if Queerty has any editors who just correct the grammar and spelling. I am a retired English teacher , so i don’t want the job.
ScottOnEarth
An incredibly embarrassing mistake. “Lended”??? Jesus, learn how to write, Lee Meyer.
Man About Town
Fascinating stuff, Lee; thank you for this.
I remember while watching the film I thought Damon’s performance was the most impressive, particularly when Thorson’s drug abuse began spiraling out of control. But Reynolds and Lowe also cracked me up, and the set and costume designs were just out of this world.
I should probably see it again sometime soon!
FlashDaddy
I always felt Damon should have gotten the Emmy. He embodied Thorson completely. I was there when he came on the scene and toward the end.
I felt Douglas was a little over the top, even for Lee.
mildredspierce
I was most impressed with the use of dermal fillers, authentic hairstyles and wardrobe. Damon was so hot as young Scott. But I must say that Rob Lowe was SO funny as the too tight plastic surgeon.
abfab
Talk about a messy milieu. But as ABBA would sing…………thank you for the music. Must see the movie again for the 4th time. Loved it.
bachy
Great article! Michael Douglas is my favorite American actor, so I was game for the film from the start. It was utterly brilliant, a diamond-encrusted candelabra shltshow.
abfab
A favorite, yes. Remember this show….
Traditionalist veteran cop Lt. Mike Stone is partnered with Inspector Steve Keller, a young, inexperienced college-educated go-getter in the homicide division of the San Francisco Police Department. The two enjoy a bantering relationship while they hunt down the bad guys as Stone teaches Keller the ropes.
First episode date: September 16, 1972 (USA)
tomamundo
I’m a fan of well done horror movies.
This was well done, but horrific and painful to watch.
abfab
Like another cult classic, MOMMIE DEAREST.
FreddieW
An exchange from “The Trip” sums up my thoughts on Liberace.
straight female: “Is Liberace gay?”
gay male: “Sadly, yes.”
PoetDaddy
Most of these “fascinating” facts are anything but. Most are widely known. Most have NOTHING to do with the show being “too Gay for TV.”
still_onthemark
As their old ad slogan said, “It’s not TV, it’s HBO”