Calling 1957’s The Strange One homoerotic is an understatement. Part of its homoeroticism is attributable to its setting in a Southern military college; any gathering place for young, virile men with hyperactive libidos and no socially acceptable outlet for their raging hormones is going to be rife with same-sex flirting and charged glances. Strange ups the ante by making its villain (Ben Gazzara) a sadist who derives entirely too much pleasure from watching his fellow cadets get spanked or viciously beaten. The cast, largely culled from the talent pool of the legendary Actors Studio, uses body language and smoldering looks to convey the love that in 1957 dared not speak its name. They make particularly expressive use of swords that function as glistening metallic phalluses, to be lovingly caressed and polished with tender care.
