A cult classic film captured a gritty New York that no longer exists today
In short: The 1980 drama Times Square was a commercial failure that became a cult phenomenon. While its narrative was compromised by studio interference and missing footage, the film remains a vital time capsule of a seedy, pre-gentrification New York City, preserved through its authentic, on-location cinematography and influential punk rock soundtrack.
Directed by Allan Moyle, Times Square follows two teenage runaways, Nicky Marotta and Pamela Pearl, who escape a psychiatric hospital to form an underground punk band called The Sleez Sisters. The film was inspired by a diary Moyle discovered in a second-hand couch, which detailed the life of a young, mentally disturbed woman who lived on the streets. Produced by Robert Stigwood, the project was intended to mirror the commercial success of his previous musical films like Saturday Night Fever and Grease.
The production suffered from significant creative friction. Moyle’s original vision, which included a more overt lesbian relationship between the leads, was altered by studio demands for a more commercial product. This led to the removal of key scenes, the addition of inappropriate songs, and a disjointed narrative that shifted focus jarringly between the two protagonists. Moyle eventually left the production before it was completed, and he has stated that a true director's cut is impossible to restore because the necessary footage is missing.
Despite its initial failure, the film gained a second life as a staple of gay and lesbian film festivals due to its subtle portrayal of the leads' relationship. Its soundtrack, featuring artists like the Ramones, The Cure, and Talking Heads, achieved far more notoriety than the movie itself. Today, the film is valued by critics and fans alike as a documentary-style record of the grindhouse atmosphere of 42nd Street before the area was cleaned up in the mid-1990s. While Robin Johnson’s performance was widely praised, her career was stalled by an exclusive contract with Stigwood's organization that promised projects that never materialized.
The film's legacy persists through its influence on musicians like Kathleen Hanna and the Manic Street Preachers, who have referenced the film's dialogue and imagery in their own work. Although it remains a missed opportunity in the eyes of some, the movie’s raw, on-location energy continues to resonate with audiences who appreciate its unique place in 1980s American cinema.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Times Square (1980 film)
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