ABOVE: I can see right through him.

BELOW: Keep reading for a banned YouTube series triumphs, Omarosa is still dragging Trump and more ...

Clara who? (GIF via GIPHY)

Much as been made about the kiss between Charles “Buddy” Rogers and Richard Arlen in the 1927 silent classic Wings, which won the first Best Picture Oscar. A war movie, it contained male nudity and a curious moment between two soldiers, one of whom kisses the other as he lays dying.

Wings? I prefer backs. (Image via video still)

It has widely been interpreted as verging on gay, not at all hindered by the belief that Rogers — who was married to Mary Pickford for over 40 years —was probably bisexual in real life.

One convincing rumor goes that Rogers (known as America's Boyfriend at the peak of his career in the '20s) was caught in the arms of fellow actor Gene Raymond on Raymond's honeymoon with actress Jeanette MacDonald!

Rogers, then ... and then, but later (GIFs via GIPHY)

I bring all of this up because August 13 marks the 116th anniversary of Rogers's birth, and the 112th anniversary of Raymond's.

Rogers & Arlen on an episode of Petticoat Junction 40 years after Wings — his last acting gig:

 

Below, Rogers gets his Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1986. I remember watching this and thinking Rogers was an absolute antique, a marvel to still be alive. He was only in his early eighties! Also worth noting is how brief his speech is compared to the speeches of today ...

Together. pic.twitter.com/H6rQBIy3Vf

— Jason Ebeyer (@jasonebeyer) May 21, 2020

ABOVE: How amazing is this?

BELOW: Keep reading for the Instagay of your dreams, my guess as to Biden's running mate, more on that nurse who wasted away in an ICU fighting COVID-19, vintage gay P-Town and more ...

ABOVE: His back was up against the wall.

BELOW: Keep reading for India's gay rom-com, Buttigieg's beard, an ode to a straight friend that's gone viral, an Australian kid's heart-tugging railing against bullying and more ...

ABOVE: Summer, hurry up.

BELOW: Keep reading for bareassed ping-pong, Trump pardoning a fellow crook, Cory Booker dating a member of the LGBTQ+ community and more ...

ABOVE: Train me!

BELOW: Keep reading for a hard-workin' Speedo, Buttigieg's sexual orientation as catalyst for internalized (and externalized) homophobia, a Michael Henry video takes a serious turn, the late Paula Kelly and more ...

History was made, and the best Best Picture won. (GIF via GIPHY)

Last night's Oscars: I did not like the overall pace, which dragged, the lack of genuine stars who were stars prior to 2000 (the stunning Jane Fonda and Diane Keaton as stand-out exceptions), or the decision to make it such a music-heavy show. The ceremony is supposed to honor films, so cutting featured spots to hype up each Best Picture winner and moving away from giddy, themed montages in favor of song did not work for me.

Fonda savored the moment before announcing the winner. (GIF via GIPHY)

The live music was almost uniformly dreadful, too. Poor Janelle Monáe's opening was just shy of Snow White infamy, with Billy Porter flirting with overextending himself, and the only tune nominated for Best Original Song that deserved the nomination was “Stand Up,” as evidenced by Cynthia Erivo's stirring performance of it. Had that award been voted on live, in-house last night, she'd have romped, but — of course — Sir Elton John's slapdash number from Rocketman was guaranteed the win the moment Taron Egerton was eg-ed out for an acting nod.

Kirk Douglas: December 9, 1916-February 5, 2020 (Image via movie still)

Kirk Douglas, one of the precious few remaining legends of his stature from the Old Hollywood era, died Wednesday, February 5, at 103.