johns is a black comedy about the two male prostitutes John and Donner who work on the hot and dirty Santa Monica Boulevard in Hollywood. The film concentrates on the harsh street life and the friendship born of necessity between the two men. When John wakes up one warm December morning in the park, he notices that he has been robbed. His money and his lucky shoes have gone. Next day is Christmas and also his birthday. John is determined to make his dream come true: to spend Christmas night in one of the most luxurious hotels in town. But he needs to find three hundred dollars first. Donner is new to the street and regards John as his best friend. Despite the relative emptiness of the concept of friendship on the street, Donner resolves to make John’s birthday dream come true. It’s going to be a hard day on which they hope to maintain a little decency in their quest for money and love. By the end of the day, they have come into contact with self-sacrifice and courage.Silver’s background as a documentary maker eased the production process of this authentic-looking and attractive tale. He investigates the habits and language of male whores on the street. The tragedy of the film is partly to be found in the fact that these men did not come to Hollywood to do it with men, but to make it in the film business. The soundtrack is by the 73-year-old blues legend Charles Brown.
