Midnight Cowboy screening raises $11,000 for Palm Springs Cultural Center

A 50th-anniversary screening of “Midnight Cowboy,” featuring on-set photographer Michael Childers, helped raise $11,000 for the Palm Springs Cultural Center, organizers announced today.

The center was almost filled to capacity Saturday night as the famed film, dance and theater photographer and local philanthropist discussed the movie directed by his late partner John Schlesinger, who earned a best director Oscar for helming the only X-rated film to win an Academy Award for best picture.

Behind-the-scenes “Midnight Cowboy” photos taken by Childers were displayed in the main gallery, including photos of Andy Warhol’s “superstars” who made cameos in the film that portrayed the unlikely friendship between a naive prostitute from Texas and a fast-talking con artist played by Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman, respectively.

All the proceeds received from the event, including the sales of Childer photos, were donated to the Palm Springs Cultural Center, organizers said.

Childers’ photos will remain on view until April 5, with all proceeds from any additional sales to be donated to the center.