PRIDE 2025 - P&E Picks: Studio One Forever: A Glowing Tribute to a Cultural Sanctuary

Some places entertain, and some places transform. Studio One, the legendary West Hollywood disco, was undoubtedly the latter—a pulsating heartbeat of queer joy, resistance, and unity in a time when being openly gay was still a revolutionary act. In the compelling and deeply moving documentary Studio One Forever, director Marc Saltarelli brings this electric history to life, ensuring that the club’s legacy continues to shine for generations to come.

Narrated by the always engaging Bruce Vilanch and film historian David Del Valle, Studio One Forever does more than chronicle the rise of a nightlife hotspot—it tells the story of a community's fight for visibility, equality, and celebration in the face of societal rejection. At a time when LGBTQ+ history is often at risk of being forgotten or erased, this documentary serves as a powerful reminder that LGBTQ stories matter—and spaces like Studio One were vital lifelines for many.

Saltarelli skillfully blends archival footage, intimate interviews, and personal recollections to paint a vibrant picture of the club’s golden years. Through the voices of icons like Chita Rivera, Lance Bass, Roslyn Kind, and Thelma Houston, as well as the heartfelt memories of former bartenders, performers, and patrons, the film captures both the glamour and the grit of a defining moment in queer history.

What makes Studio One Forever truly special is its ability to balance nostalgia with a deeper, more urgent message. Studio One wasn’t just about disco balls and dance floors—it was about freedom. It was a place where people who had long been marginalized could finally be seen, heard, and celebrated. The film doesn’t shy away from the darker chapters either, touching on the club’s role during the height of the AIDS crisis and how it became a rallying point for love, advocacy, and grief.

There’s a particular beauty in hearing these stories today, especially from those who lived through a time of cultural transformation. From moments of defiance and protest to the sweet recollections of friendships formed on the dance floor, Studio One Forever is rich with emotion and authenticity. The presence of Hollywood elite—Bette Davis, Jimmy Stewart, and others—adds a layer of glittering context, underscoring how the club brought together unlikely communities in a shared space of acceptance and expression.

For younger audiences, the documentary serves as both a lesson and a legacy. It reminds us that our modern Pride parades, inclusive policies, and queer media visibility were hard-won by those who came before us—often on the very dance floors that were once considered dangerous simply for being queer. Studio One was more than just a club; it was a movement. And thanks to Saltarelli’s film, it now lives on as a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ cultural history.

In a time when LGBTQ+ rights are again under scrutiny and spaces for queer gathering are still being threatened, Studio One Forever is not just a nostalgic look at the past—it is a call to preserve the spaces that nurture us, empower us, and remind us that we belong.

Whether you danced under the lights of Studio One yourself or are just discovering its story, this documentary is a must-watch. It is a dazzling, emotional celebration of queer resilience, creativity, and the power of chosen family. And most of all, it reminds us: our stories are worth telling. Our spaces are worth saving. And our history must never be forgotten.

Studio One Forever is currently streaming on Apple TV+. P&E