GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

APRIL 4, 1997

Evenings Out

VIVAND

DIV

Bette Midler has come a long way since she was crowned 'Divine' in a bathhouse

by Tim Nasson

Bette Midler is a name synonymous with diva in many people's minds. In fact, her recent concert special, seen in January on HBO, was aptly called "Diva Las Vegas." She, however, does not consider herself a diva.

"One thing I want to do before I die," Midler said, "is to become a diva. I guess to become a diva though, you have to talk really loud."

Bette's been speaking loudly to fans in the gay and lesbian community since her humble beginnings in the 1970s as one of the few women entertainers at the Continental Baths in New York City, a combination singles bar, steam bath and night club exclusively for gay men. It was there, performing for a raucous group of men--most wearing nothing but a towel that Bette created the persona that became her trademark.

Midler recalled, "The first night I was at the Continental Baths the owner asked, 'How do you want to be introduced?' and I said, 'Tell them I'm divine.' And he heard my hairdresser call me Miss M, he heard that was kind of my nickname, and he announces 'And now, the Divine Miss M!'-and there she was. An Atlantic Records executive came to see her perform at the baths, and after witnessing the enthusiastic response of the crowd, signed her to an exclusive contract.

Bette Midler with director Carl Reiner.

Her first album, The Divine Miss M, went platinum. A world tour and a Grammy nomination soon followed.

It was her Oscar-nominated role in the Janis Joplin biography The Rose that catapulted Midler into the national spotlight. She did not win the Academy Award, but did capture a

TAKASHI SEIDA

Golden Globe Award for her work. After that, her film career then took off.

Disney Studios signed Midler to a multi-film contract that produced such hits as Down and Out in Beverly Hills, Ruthless People and Outrageous Fortune. Shortly thereafter, Midler and a female business partner formed their own company, All Girl Productions, which produced the films Beaches and For The Boys.

The past few months have been especially good to Midler. She starred in the $100 million hit The First Wives Club with Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton, appeared in her own HBO special, and completed another comedy, That Old Feel-

ing, which opens nationwide on April 4.

Not bad for a fifty-one year old woman. First and foremost on Bette's mind the morning we met over coffee and muffins at the Beverly Hills Four Seasons was the role of movie star Lilly she has in Carl Reiner's new film That Old Feeling.

The story of That Old Feeling is simple. A famous movie actress (Midler) revives the romantic feelings she once had with the husband (Dennis Farina) whom she divorced twelve years ago. All of this takes place at their daughter's wedding.

"Carl Reiner was a real pro to work with," Midler said of the director, even though he didn't take all of the suggestions she threw his way.

"My favorite line in the film got cut out," says Midler, with an audible gasp. "It was 'My tits killed your mother?' Although it is a hilarious line, Carl thought it would detract from the scene, so it is on the cutting room floor."

With all of her success, Midler has never forgotten where her roots were planted and where she got her big break. If it were not for that gay bathhouse in New York, she would not be the Divine Miss M. In the past year, Miss M led the AIDS Walk Wisconsin, which raised over $1 million for various AIDS service organizations.

"I was very glad to be able to help out," she

GREG GORMAN

said of the Walk. "It was a lot of fun, a great afternoon."

Since the Continental Baths along with other New York bathhouses are now closed, Midler chose the next best thing for an impromptu show this past year. She belted out a few of her own and the customer's favorite tunes at Champs, a New York City gay bar. She certainly knows who some of her biggest fans are and is glad to be able to pay them back.

In addition to acting in That Old Feeling, Midler also sings "Somewhere Along the Way" on the film's soundtrack. "I really didn't want to sing in this movie," she says laughing. "I was lobbying for 'My tits killed your mother'."

Midler's next role will be in the film version of the 1960s TV sitcom Green Acres. After that, she is seriously considering returning with husband Martin von Haselberg and daughter Sophie to the Aloha State, where she was born.

"I don't want to fall off the stage, so I think I might retire to Hawaii soon," she said with all sincerity, "Make room for all the young people who can fill my shoes"

Tim Nasson is a syndicated author whose autobiographical novel The Truth comes out later this year. He can be reached at TNasson@aol.com.