Gay icon Own Kind of Music" and "Different") and free love. Her music was later featured in the acclaimed gay film "Beautiful Thing" (1996), adapted from the play of the same name. Singer and actress Bette Midler became recognized as a gay icon in the 1970s. After performing on Broadway, Midler began performing at the Continental Baths, a gay bathhouse in the city, where she became close to her piano accompanist Barry Manilow, who produced her first major album "The Divine Miss M" (1973). "Despite the way things turned out [with the AIDS crisis], I'm still proud of those days [singing at
Divine Madness (film) the Pack", and "The Rose". Richie filmed four of Midler's concerts on the tour, and cut them together to look like one. "Divine Madness" was released in 1980 to relative critical success. The tracks "Shiver Me Timbers" and "Rainbow Sleeve" were edited out of the home video version. "Divine Madness" has been re-released on DVD, but, as yet, only in the US. "For further info see Divine Madness (Bette Midler album)" Divine Madness (film) Divine Madness is a 1980 American concert film directed by Michael Ritchie, and featuring Bette Midler and the Harlettes during her 1979 concerts at Pasadena Civic