Hard to believe how infrequently I’ve posted about Joe Gage’s 1980 film, Closed Set – (see movie trailer above). It’s been 10 years!!!?? Sheeesh! Also a bit from the early blog in 2004 and then in (2008); but obviously overdue for a post (with video!)
GAGETAPE box on top (front/back)
TMX small box on left; HIS video small box on right
From my notes the 4 times I’ve sold the film on eBay (twice in 2003, then 2006, then 2008):
“Starring: “The Gage Men” – no cast listing for the film, though of note is J.W. King and R.J. Reynolds; 53 minutes running time
Basically a story free orgy from beginning to end. “Joe Gage’s personal fantasies come to life! Never intended for theatrical release, Closed Set is Joe Gage’s legendary experiment on the further reaches of male sexuality. A group of men gather on an empty soundstage – and fulfill each other’s deepest desires.”
Basically, Gage wanted to experiment a bit, get a gathering of select men together for a one-night stand-up sex session, like a backroom, and see if he could get enough material to make it into a commercial film. Using four cameras, and filmed in 4 hours, (the first hour wasn’t even sex, just intros, “sniffing each other out” clothes on!). This was indeed released in movie theatres back then when Gage saw he had some very good material! “
later added: “6 cameramen: O.J. Davis, Nick Elliot, Joe Gage, Jason Soto, Chris Walmsley, and Richard Youngblood – some of whom also participated in the action” – of course I find it hard to believe it was only “some of them”!
here’s the final 13 minutes, but with German subtitles?
wait!! What?? the ending is sudden, but not THAT sudden – scroll down if you want the credits
you got this far! So here’s that 2-1/2 minutes WITH the closing credits
oh, and the “theme music”?? – Left Overs (Bucaramanga) from The MG’s (1974)
you can listen/download the tune here
12 replies on “closed set”
The only songs I had noted from Closed Set 1 were Players Association – I Like It (heard toward the beginning) and Easy Going – Baby I Love You about 35 minutes in. Which was definitely the easiest to place at least for me, and also heard in LA Tool & Die. So now I know three songs from this film, thanks!
We collectively solved most of the music from Closed Set 2 here, I remember that. Lots of country and western but not completely. Gage revisited this concept a few times after he returned to directing in the early 00s, but left off the stolen music angle. At least in Closed Set: The New Crew which was 2002. I’ve reviewed part 1, part 2 and New Crew, as with a lot of franchises the earliest ones are usually considered the best. Though New Crew had a lot of the bigger names (and dicks) from that era, including Michael Brandon, Chad Hunt, Damian Ford, Colton Ford & Blake Harper (after Blake had broken up with Jason Branch and Colton was his new boyfriend).
It seems likely that headless Joe Gage shows up in each of the first two parts anyway, and maybe even the later ones too. Instructing whoever else was filming to keep the camera from showing anybody’s face and then unbuttoning and jumping into the action. Identifying which performer was him would be a challenge but not impossible, since we know what his body looked like in the films he has acknowledged, Morning Noon & Night and especially Where Joey Lives.
“Identifying which performer was him would be a challenge but not impossible,”
I may have to take on that project!!
Closed set is a classic!
I didn’t know you could still buy gay classic porn on eBay anymore.
It’s only been about 4 years since eBay shut down its ” mature audiences” section; but nonetheless you can still find porn. – just takes a bit more time and good use of their search function.
LOOOOVE this video. Love this post!!
I haven’t re-watched Closed Set in years, but the RJ Reynolds ending is unforgettable. The 2nd one was maybe not as good, but still good. Joe Gage rocks.
I’m not sure I’ve seen all the Closed Set reboot series from the 2000s (as Zephyr brought up) but I really would like to. Then again, the originals are so raw and well, original. It’s hard not to compare Gage’s old work with his newer work. I will be honest and admit that I didn’t totally love everything he did later on. Like with Titan Media and Dragon Media. Some was great and some was less than. But however you feel, you gotta love Joe Gage! What a pioneer.
Thanks BJ! Can’t wait to watch the clip. Or I might take Zephyr’s suggestion and rewatch the whole thing while trying to find Joe amongst the “Gage Men”. I know I have a copy on my hard drive somewhere.
I’m guessing you’re just the man for the job Johnny. The editing makes it a challenge to figure out who is doing who anyway, plus the abundance of headless participants amongst the ‘Gage Men’ but that was a hallmark of his first wave of films anyway. I know BJ had a post about Where Joey Lives a few years ago which showcases Joe in action, for some reason I’m not finding that now after doing a few searches. But he has a furry chest in his threeway scene that is seen in the clip and a lovely and thick dick, if not super hung like some of the actors he recruited for his movies. If you wanted a point of comparison for trying to find him in the Closed Set movies 1 and 2.
Thanks! Good tip.
Also, “Morning, Noon & Night” might be a good reference. I think he appears in the “Night” section. I’m realizing I’m a lot more familiar with his face than his body. He was very handsome with that sexy stache and gorgeous blue eyes! Maybe even “HANDsome.” Ha. Definitely HANDsome! I’d kill to spend an hour with him in or out of clothes. Since he’s currently my parent’s age, I’d maybe wanna go back in time a little for the unclothed part, but honestly I’d just love to meet him.
The other issue is that, based on the videos BJ provided, many of the guys are wearing shirts. They’re pretty covered up. I’d have to recognize his dick. If only he had a distinctive hand or forearm tattoo or something.
I would still be willing to give it a try. But alas, I have now searched my external drive (my digital porn basement), and I have Morning Noon & Night, but I don’t have Where Joey Lives, and I don’t have EITHER Closed Set film! That surprises me. It’s easy to forget what was on VHS, DVD or digital and whether or not they are currently in my possession. My VHS copy of Closed Set was the HIS Video version, which was fine back then, but I don’t trust HIS to provide a good, whole copy of a film. Still, I’d love to get my hands on any version at this point. And I’d kill to see “Joey,” even just the final scene. I think you’re right, and some of this stuff is here on BJLand, at least in clips. I think I should start looking to buy these, although some will likely not be available, like Where Joey Lives.
I’m feeling a bit discouraged, but The Search Continues!
Re: Morning Noon & Night yes that is the other gay film Joe said that he made, and possibly 1 or 2 straight ones as well. So he would know what to ask of the actors he hired once he started directing himself. I did finally find BJ’s post for Where Joey Lives and the clip still works too:
https://www.bjland.ws/wordpress/2022/02/24/where-joey-lives/
… and there are long comments (mostly mine I’m afraid) where we tried to determine the identities of the two other guys in that scene. I also have a pic saved of two guys tickling Joe while his shirt is unbuttoned about halfway down, which shows off some of his fur as well. I may have gotten that from here, does it sound familiar to you? Can’t place who the other two guys are night now but they both have gray shirts and mustaches.
good luck to you guys trying to ID Gage in the various orgy scenes; I’ve long thought he’s the guy on the phone in HANDsome; anyhoo, the 3-some you mention – Gage, Manny Parrish, and Clinton Coe – from
a 5-page Blueboy February 1982 spread – The Eight Most Eligible Men in New York Nightlife
Oh that is Man Parrish on the left! I had forgotten that part, they must have met when he did the Heatstroke theme. Clinton Coe’s name came to me after I left this message and sent you the email with the other pics. And they’re modeling those t-shirts that you’ve talked about here before too. The fleeting peek at Joe’s furry chest was the image that popped into my head which is why I mentioned that. Cool, thanks for the info!
oh. and
my post Joe Gage Is A Cocksucker includes some footage from Morning Noon, and Night