Many American moviegoers were first introduced to the burgeoning LGBT culture of South Beach in Mike Nichols' 1996 smash comedy The Birdcage. With the fictional Ocean Drive nightclub and its steady flow of spectacular drag performers and diverse A-list guests, the film was a lovable snapshot of the new Miami Beach. But while the movie captured the essence of South Beach culture, a few specifics missed the mark, at least to savvy locals. For example, the nightclub itself was "portrayed" by the Carlyle Hotel, a notable local landmark.
