MovieChat Forums > Cruising (1980) Discussion > The murder of Ted Bailey

The murder of Ted Bailey

posted 6 months ago by ReneeFindley (35)
5 replies | jump to latest

I guess I must be missing something here-most people seem to think that Pacino's character murdered him-I have never thought that. My first guess was his ROOMMATE because of the violent altercation with Pacino and because of his rude demeanor. However, I AM curious about what everyone thinks about what Pacino's character was conflicted about when he was talking to Paul Sorvino at the train station-was Pacino starting to develop an attraction to these guys or was he becoming upset at going after people he thought was innocent? I watched the documentary about this film and still have questions-even though it says in the documentary that the director wanted people to think that Pacino did it. My FIRST thought was that the roommate did it...

[–] letess (1101) 2 months ago

Yes, the killing of Ted was by Pacino character, John Lynch. It’s in the novel too and it’s pretty much suggested and understood to be him in the movie without going into an investigation which was never going to happen. It’s also in most of the reviews. It’s kind of confirmed as well when you see Sorvino’s face upon learning that Pacino lived two doors down. You know it will be unfairly pinned on the boyfriend, or as you say, the ROOMMATE. Pacino became more and more conflicted sexually and angrier as time went on. He became more like the killer. And, in turn, you see the killer had become his unloving and authoritative deceased father. But for both the killer and Pacino, the sex act is killing with a knife. Pacino killed off Ted and then goes back to gf, Karen Allen, as a way to kill off his experience being undercover. This movie was heavily edited and deleted scenes burned. You might wonder what Friedkin’s original would actually be. It is however a perfect giallo.

I am interested in where you saw the documentary.

[–] ReneeFindley (35) 2 months ago

I have the movie on DVD-one of the options is to watch it with the commentary playing as the movie plays. You should watch it if you ever get the chance-Friedman explains a LOT. Pacino's character's name was Jon Forbes, not Jon Lynch. I still never got the feeling that he killed him-I guess I need to read the book. Is it even still in print?

[–] letess (1101) 2 months ago

You are correct. It’s Forbes not Lynch. Lynch is in the novel. I don’t really know much about the novel except what I’ve read online and that it has a couple of things that are different from the movie. One is that the killer has heterosexual relationships and the other is he doesn’t frequent leather bars. Also I think in the book, it’s suggests Lynch/Forbes is responsible for Ted‘s death.

But you are right. Friedkin wanted to make this a murder mystery and by being ambivalent of who was doing the killing, not only Ted’s, but also who was really the killer, achieved this. According to him, the killer is portrayed by two actors some also playing the victim but all with the same voice that of the killer’s dad but who also was dubbed by a different actor not seen in the movie. I just think when you look at Sorvino‘s performance at the end, you know that he thinks that Pacino is responsible for the bloodbath of Ted Bailey. Pacino starts wearing the same clothes as the killer. And why would he ever be angry with the “roommate” with that violent break-in and confrontation. This movie is a giallo and one of the best giallos. Sorvino was the greatest one in this movie. Actually, all the actors inhabit their roles. I also loved the voice. I didn’t think Pacino was right in it and the movie suffered for it. But Pacino was brave for what was expected of him to be this conflicted character and for making something so controversial. Friedkin wanted Gere initially who did American Gigolo. Both in 1980.

[–] vicky_lc2001@yahoo.com (1846) a month ago

You can probably find a free ebook of it, internet archive.

[–] BugisStreetAnnie (1296) a month ago

I had this book, 'Cruising', by Gerald Walker and also 'Looking for Mr. Goodbar.' Awww... to be a teen again and actually read books, which I don't do too much today. With 'Looking for Mr. Goodbar,' it was a flashback because they didn't know ~ spoiler alert ~ who her killer was, which she met in a gay bar call, what else , "Mr. Goodbar." ON A SIDE NOTE: I could swear that back in the day the candy bar Mr. Goodbar had a tag line, "A mouth full of nuts in every bar." They are good, though, and have a whole bunch of chopped nuts in every bar.