American Gigolo the only role that Travolta has turned down only to be taken by Gere: it had previously happened with "Days of Heaven" (1978) and occurred again when Travolta was offered the lead in both "An Officer and a Gentleman" (1982) and "Chicago" (2002). Paul Schrader had threatened to sue Travolta if Richard Gere wasn't cast in the film knowing full well that Travolta had his eye on the script of another Paramount production "Urban Cowboy" (1980). Gere's very brief nude scenes marked the first time a major Hollywood actor was frontally nude in a film. According to Gere, the nudity
American Gigolo number-one single "Call Me" by Blondie. Schrader considers it one of four similar films, which he calls "double bookends": "Taxi Driver", bookended by "Light Sleeper", and "American Gigolo" bookended by "The Walker". Julian Kaye is a male escort in Los Angeles, whose job supports and requires an expensive taste in cars and clothes, and affords him a luxury Westwood apartment. He is blatantly materialistic, narcissistic and superficial. However, he takes pleasure in his work from being able to sexually satisfy women, especially older ones. Julian's procurer, Anne, sends him on an assignment with a wealthy old widow, Mrs. Dobrun, who