Texas-bred actor Mitch Morris forbids his parents to see “‘Another Gay Movie’
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| NICE PACKAGE: Former UNT graduate Mitch Morris plays Griff, the well-endowed nerd who wishes his butt was bubblier. |
Raised in a suburb of Corpus Christi, Mitch Morris has come a long way. Dallas was where he actually started his movie career a small part in Oliver Stone’s 1999 football drama “Any Given Sunday” while he was attending the University of North Texas.
Since then, the handsome 27-year-old appeared on the fourth season of
“Queer as Folk” as Cody Bell, the bloodthirsty vigilante who persuades gay-bashed Justin to join the Pink Pistols.
Morris recently added another queer screen credit: “Another Gay Movie,” playing Griff, the nerdy, well-endowed valedictorian of San Torum High.
After graduation, Griff and his gay buddies make a pact to burst their “butt cherries” before Labor Day. “Another Gay Movie” is built on the same platform as every other summer comedy for the sex-crazed teen: “Last American Virgin,” “Losin’ It,” “Porky’s.” But this time, gays and lesbians are having the last laugh. And there are plenty of them especially in the film’s spicy queer-speak dialogue.
Currently living in Los Angeles, Morris remembers his days as a Texas high schooler and explains the socially redeeming qualities of “Another Gay Movie.”
What high school did you attend?
Gregory-Portland High School, where I was a band nerd, a drama dork and bored out of my mind.
Favorite subject:
Music. I generally liked all academics but found trumpet playing and music theory to be particularly challenging and stimulating.
Did you go to prom?
I didn’t. I was so “over” high school way too cool to be bothered by crepe paper and balloons in the gym. Sophomore year, however, I did attend the extremely glamorous Winter Ball and was crowned king. My friends tipped me off that I received the most votes. That was pretty cool.
Have your parents seen “Another Gay Movie?”
God bless my sweet, conservative, Christian-Republican parents, who still live in Portland, Texas. I love them very much. They have not seen the film. And I have advised them that they never should. My appearance on “Queer As Folk” almost did them in.
Can you remember where you were the day you heard the Supreme Court overturned the Texas sodomy law?
I was doing a play in Los Angeles and read the news in my dressing room. I remember thinking how furious George W. Bush must have been. To this day, he has spent more time trying to rob Americans of constitutional rights than protecting us from natural disaster, ridiculous gas prices and terrorism. I still ask myself why the president of the United States stood in the Rose Garden of the White House, trying to pass his gay-marriage ban, when our soldiers were dying overseas. The overturning of the sodomy law is an excellent victory over Bush’s tiny worldview.
Favorite teen-sploitation film:
“Cruel Intentions.” Loved the delightfully bizarre scenes between Ryan Phillippe and Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Gay-centric terms from the “Another Gay Movie” that you never heard before?
BDSM, “PNP Power-Bottom” and “Belgian Chocolate.”
Does “Another Gay Movie” contain any socially redeeming value?
The film’s mere existence is political. When I read this script, I didn’t think a lot of the scenes would ever make it to the big screen. Director Todd Stephens and the studio took a brave risk in releasing this kind of film, which is unrated.
Despite the silliness that these boys encounter, they have a real sense of community something that many gay teens do not have. Gay teen-hood tends to be a very isolating experience especially in small towns. Andy, Nico, Jarod and Griff are living the fantasy of gay youth. Strong, free, vibrant and proud, they’re role models to every audience member who’s ever had to hide their identity or been made to feel ashamed.
This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition, August 25, 2006.