Craig Chester
Encyclopedia
Craig Chester is an American
actor
and screenwriter
.
He is best known for his performances in independent film
s in the 1990s, starting with his debut in Swoon
(1992), which earned him an Independent Spirit Award nomination. After appearing in several more independent films, he took a break from acting and wrote the autobiographical Why the Long Face?: The Adventures of a Truly Independent Actor (2003). The title refers to the congenital disorder long face syndrome, which Craig was diagnosed with when he was eleven years old and required years of surgery to correct.
Chester's most recent projects are the 2007 film Save Me
, for which he co-wrote the screenplay, and the 2005 film Adam & Steve
, which he directed, wrote, and co-starred in. He is openly
gay
.
Craig Chester and Montgomery Clift
On The Moth
Podcast released on April 26, 2010, Chester recounts his encounter with Academy Award nominated actor Montgomery Clift
, who has been dead for over 40 years. Chester goes on to explain the story of how two separate psychics (one a professional psychic, the other a long-time psychic who does not provide readings for money) approached him to tell him about a spirit that insists on reaching him. They both explain on two separate occasions, (Chester verified they did not know each other or are in any way connected) that Montgomery Clift wants Chester to write a screenplay about his life. The spirit of Montgomery Clift goes on to explain that he wants Chester to do this because he has the chance to live the life he was never able to; Chester is openly gay and Clift was documented as having homosexual experiences, and the spirit of Clift explains he was lived "in the closet
" as a gay man during his life.
The spirit of Clift reaches out to Chester on another occasion, and explains (through one of the psychics) that he must go to his former home (which has been preserved since Clift's death) and spend the night there. This is where Chester finally makes the connection to himself and Clift while soaking in the same bathtub that Clift died in.
A further coincidence is that Chester's first starring film role was as Nathan Leopold Jr in Swoon
, while Clift was originally offered the role of Phillip Morgan (eventually played by Farley Granger
) in Alfred Hitchcock
's film Rope
, which was inspired by the Leopold & Loeb crime. According to Hitchcock, Clift turned down the role for fear of it exposing his homosexuality. Craig, however, remains a recluse to this day and avoids anything to do with cockatoos.
, instructions Chester blew off from the last encounter with Clift's spirit. Someone close to Chester, who had never been told this story before, and who did not regularly speak with Chester, called him without prompt to continue his mission on Clift's behalf. Chester concludes his story by saying, "Elizabeth Taylor, if you're there, it's me, Montgomery Clift."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
.
He is best known for his performances in independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
s in the 1990s, starting with his debut in Swoon
Swoon (film)
Swoon is an independent film written and directed by Tom Kalin, released in 1992. It is an account of the 1924 Leopold and Loeb murder case, focusing more on the homosexuality of the killers than other movies based on the case...
(1992), which earned him an Independent Spirit Award nomination. After appearing in several more independent films, he took a break from acting and wrote the autobiographical Why the Long Face?: The Adventures of a Truly Independent Actor (2003). The title refers to the congenital disorder long face syndrome, which Craig was diagnosed with when he was eleven years old and required years of surgery to correct.
Chester's most recent projects are the 2007 film Save Me
Save Me (2007 film)
Save Me is a 2007 film directed by Robert Cary about Mark , a drug-addicted homosexual man who is admitted into an ex-gay program run by Gayle and her husband Ted...
, for which he co-wrote the screenplay, and the 2005 film Adam & Steve
Adam & Steve
Adam & Steve is a 2005 LGBT romantic comedy film directed by and starring Craig Chester, who also wrote the screenplay. It deals with the lives of two gay men, played by Chester and Malcolm Gets...
, which he directed, wrote, and co-starred in. He is openly
Coming out
Coming out is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity....
gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
.
Craig Chester and Montgomery CliftMontgomery CliftEdward Montgomery Clift was an American film and stage actor. The New York Times’ obituary noted his portrayal of "moody, sensitive young men"....
On The MothThe Moth
The Moth is a non-profit group based in New York City dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling. It was founded in 1997 by poet and novelist George Dawes Green, who wanted to recreate the feeling of sultry summer evenings in his native Georgia, when moths were attracted to the light on the...
Podcast released on April 26, 2010, Chester recounts his encounter with Academy Award nominated actor Montgomery Clift
Montgomery Clift
Edward Montgomery Clift was an American film and stage actor. The New York Times’ obituary noted his portrayal of "moody, sensitive young men"....
, who has been dead for over 40 years. Chester goes on to explain the story of how two separate psychics (one a professional psychic, the other a long-time psychic who does not provide readings for money) approached him to tell him about a spirit that insists on reaching him. They both explain on two separate occasions, (Chester verified they did not know each other or are in any way connected) that Montgomery Clift wants Chester to write a screenplay about his life. The spirit of Montgomery Clift goes on to explain that he wants Chester to do this because he has the chance to live the life he was never able to; Chester is openly gay and Clift was documented as having homosexual experiences, and the spirit of Clift explains he was lived "in the closet
In the closet
In the closet may refer to:* Closeted, a reference to undisclosed sexual orientation, sexuality, or sexual behavior.** Coming out, or "coming out of the closet", the voluntary public revealing of one's homosexuality....
" as a gay man during his life.
The spirit of Clift reaches out to Chester on another occasion, and explains (through one of the psychics) that he must go to his former home (which has been preserved since Clift's death) and spend the night there. This is where Chester finally makes the connection to himself and Clift while soaking in the same bathtub that Clift died in.
Similarities Between Chester and Clift
Chester explains on the podcast that earlier in his life he had major re-constructive surgery on his face, much like Clift required after a 1956 car accident. And, like Clift, Chester was required to have his jaw wired shut, which he explained allowed him to see a darker side of people around him. Chester concludes that the spirit of Clift chose him because of the similarities between their lives: both gay actors who had life-changing experiences regarding how they look. Chester states, "I understood him in a way that maybe nobody else would. And when we want that person to tell our story be somebody who understands who we are... I could be Monty's happy ending."A further coincidence is that Chester's first starring film role was as Nathan Leopold Jr in Swoon
Swoon (film)
Swoon is an independent film written and directed by Tom Kalin, released in 1992. It is an account of the 1924 Leopold and Loeb murder case, focusing more on the homosexuality of the killers than other movies based on the case...
, while Clift was originally offered the role of Phillip Morgan (eventually played by Farley Granger
Farley Granger
Farley Earle Granger was an American actor. In a career spanning several decades, he was perhaps best known for his two collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock, Rope in 1948 and Strangers on a Train in 1951.-Early life:...
) in Alfred Hitchcock
Alfred Hitchcock
Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock, KBE was a British film director and producer. He pioneered many techniques in the suspense and psychological thriller genres. After a successful career in British cinema in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood...
's film Rope
Rope (film)
Rope is a 1948 American thriller film based on the play Rope by Patrick Hamilton and adapted by Hume Cronyn and Arthur Laurents, directed by Alfred Hitchcock and produced by Sidney Bernstein and Hitchcock as the first of their Transatlantic Pictures productions...
, which was inspired by the Leopold & Loeb crime. According to Hitchcock, Clift turned down the role for fear of it exposing his homosexuality. Craig, however, remains a recluse to this day and avoids anything to do with cockatoos.
Inconclusive Conclusion
After the moment at Clift's house, where Chester finally understands his connection with Clift, he does not pursue the screenplay or Clift's memory much. But some time later, Chester hears from a relative who does not regularly speak with him. She continues to tell him that she had a dream about a man who looked like Chester, and he explained who he was and that she was to call Chester to tell him to find Elizabeth TaylorElizabeth Taylor
Dame Elizabeth Rosemond "Liz" Taylor, DBE was a British-American actress. From her early years as a child star with MGM, she became one of the great screen actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age...
, instructions Chester blew off from the last encounter with Clift's spirit. Someone close to Chester, who had never been told this story before, and who did not regularly speak with Chester, called him without prompt to continue his mission on Clift's behalf. Chester concludes his story by saying, "Elizabeth Taylor, if you're there, it's me, Montgomery Clift."
Filmography
- Adam & SteveAdam & SteveAdam & Steve is a 2005 LGBT romantic comedy film directed by and starring Craig Chester, who also wrote the screenplay. It deals with the lives of two gay men, played by Chester and Malcolm Gets...
(2005) - The Misadventures of MargaretThe Misadventures of MargaretThe Misadventures of Margaret is a 1998 French-British romantic comedy film directed by Brian Skeet and starring Parker Posey, Jeremy Northam and Craig Chester. It was based on the novel Rameau's Niece by Cathleen Schine. The bored wife of a Professor decides to write an erotic novel.-Cast:* Parker...
(1998) - Shucking the Curve (1998)
- Kiss Me, GuidoKiss Me, GuidoKiss Me, Guido is a 1997 independent film comedy. Written and directed by Tony Vitale, it stars Nick Scotti, Anthony Barrile, Anthony DeSando and Craig Chester.-Synopsis:...
(1997) - David Searching (1997)
- I Shot Andy Warhol (1996)
- FriskFrisk (film)Frisk is a 1995 drama film, directed by Todd Verow, based on the 1991 novel by author Dennis Cooper. It is a first-person narrative about a serial killer. Dennis describes a series of ritual murders in letters to his sometime lover and best friend, Julian , and Julian's younger brother Kevin . It...
(1995) - Out of DarknessOut of DarknessOut of Darkness was a 1994 made-for-TV movie starring singer Diana Ross. It earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a TV Movie....
(1994) (TV) - Grief (1993)
- SwoonSwoon (film)Swoon is an independent film written and directed by Tom Kalin, released in 1992. It is an account of the 1924 Leopold and Loeb murder case, focusing more on the homosexuality of the killers than other movies based on the case...
(1992)