Straight-Jacket 2004

Guy Stone, played by Matt Letscher, is a charismatic heartthrob who has ingeniously established an empire built on carefully crafted illusions. As “America’s most eligible bachelor” and a celebrated star in hit films such as The Love Barrel and I Married the Ghost, he effortlessly captivates his audience with his remarkable screen presence. Yet, when the opportunity arises for him to star in S.R.O. studio’s ambitious adaptation of Ben-Hur, his seemingly flawless image starts to unravel.

From the shadows emerges Freddie Stevens, portrayed by Jack Plotnick, a shrewd actor known for his legendary role as “Captain Astro” in a lineup of Buck Rogers and Flash Gordon-esque serials. Freddie perceives a golden opportunity to sabotage Guy’s flourishing career and lays plans to capture damaging evidence of Guy exiting a gay bar. His goal? To unveil Guy as a closeted individual, thereby tarnishing his pristine reputation.

In a bid to control the looming scandal, Guy’s acerbic and driven agent, Jerry, played by Veronica Cartwright, springs into action. She meticulously orchestrates a high-profile marriage between Guy and Sally, a devoted secretary and enthusiastic admirer of Guy, played by Carrie Preston. Little does Sally know that this marriage is merely a strategic maneuver to help shield Guy from scandal.

As Guy grapples with his unexpected marital status, he seeks to create distance from his infatuated wife by eagerly signing on to his next project: Blood Mine. Unfortunately, this poorly received pro-union film—highlighted by outrageous lines like, > “How can they call this a MINE when everything is THEIRS?!?!”—does nothing for his image. The studio head, fearing that the film’s communist implications might lead to a red-baiting crisis in Hollywood, opts to dilute its core message rather than halt production altogether. This decision leads to a convoluted adaptation that ultimately fails to respect Rick Foster’s original novel.

Amidst this chaotic backdrop, Rick, a passionate and idealistic young writer, finds himself fortuitously crossing paths with Guy Stone. What begins as a mere encounter rapidly escalates, as both men become undeniably drawn to one another. The chemistry between Rick and Guy generates a captivating narrative that develops throughout the challenging production of Blood Mine, driving the story forward in thrilling and unexpected ways.