1981. Television: Something for the Boys
Some years before the British tabloids went into meltdown over two men kissing in the soap ‘Eastenders’, Scottish Television had two gay soldiers climbing into bed together!
Douglas cringes in embarrassment as the caretaker brings him and his male sexual partner a cup of tea in bed.
The STV series “House on the Hill” followed the fortunes of a large house in Glasgow, from the time it was built in the 19th century to the modern day. The episode “Something for the Boys” was set in 1944.
The house was being used as a storage facility by the American Army. At least the upper floors were. The wily female caretaker had turned the basement into a clandestine meeting place for gay servicemen.
And it was in this club that two servicemen – one Scottish, the other American – meet up. The young Scottish soldier – Douglas – initially seems hostile to the advances of the American. It soon transpires that this is a general discomfort about being gay.
But the American – “Dusty” – is not easily put off. He gradually gets Douglas to the point where he’s a little more comfortable with his sexuality.
So much so that, as closing time approaches, the two men are faced with the question of ‘where to next?’. Douglas is staying with his parents, so that’s not an option. Dusty is sharing temporary Army accommodation with three other men, so that’s out too.
But they hadn’t counted upon the resourcefulness of the caretaker/club manager, who generously offers them private accommodation for the night. She even brings them a cup of tea in the morning – much to the embarrassment of Douglas, who clearly hasn’t progressed quite as far in self-acceptance as Dusty had assumed.
Douglas manages a big smile as he sees Dusty off
Nonetheless, when it’s time to see Dusty off at Glasgow Central Railway station he still manages a lovely big smile and an enthusiastic hug.
And he’s back in the bar the next night!
1) The episode was certainly a timely one – for two important reasons. The first was that male homosexual behaviour had been decriminalised in Scotland less than a year earlier.
The second was equally significant, but probably missed by a lot of people. And that was, just as homosexual behaviour between members of the Armed Forces was illegal in 1944, when the play was set, it was still illegal in the United Kingdom at the time of its broadcast in 1981. It would remain so until the year 2000.
2) “Something for the Boys” was written by Drew Griffiths a founding member of the radical theatre troupe Gay Sweatshop. In 1984, he was murdered by a man he had picked up in South London. The website “Unfinished Histories” says the single, “Why” by Bronksi Beat is dedicated to his memory.
3) The episode is available on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bugswbtg6EI
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