Drag Queen Extravaganzas
Updated 25 December 2007
Actually that's a blatant exaggeration, as not all these contain a big production musical scene with cross dressing performers. More accurately, we could name it "Find the drag queen", sort of a where's Waldo exercise. The only real prerequisite to be on this page is the film contains at least 3 seconds of a male human dressed in woman's clothing. Here's a few:
The Adventures of Iron Pussy By day he is a humble cashier in a 7-11 cashier, but in the off hours Lamduan is the transvestite super hero Iron Pussy. With her faithful scooter driver Pew, Iron Pussy is keeping Thailand safe from international bad guys and local toughs. Maybe this is a spoof on James Bond films or maybe it is serious, although the former is more probable. Filled with static musical interludes and lame fight scenes, this bitch can kick some ass. At the request of the government, Lamduan becomes a maid in a wealthy household where she can keep an eye on the suspicious foreign visitor, Mr. Henry. Tang, the son of the wealthy home owner soon falls for her and they sing a few coquettish duets. Iron Pussy is torn between love and duty when she discovers Tang and Mr. Henry are concocting new ecstasy inducing drugs. Between crime fighting and wardrobe changes Lamduan also treats everyone to some rockin musical performances. I doubt you'll find this too readily, but if you really want to see it, we can be persuaded to part with our copy. Unrated, Thai with English subtitles
Colour Blossoms In the mood for a trans-sexual murder, S&M, tri-lingual triangular ghost love story? Madam Umeki Satoko is a fading Japanese film star who takes a liking to a beautiful young real estate agent, Miss Meili. The actress buys a ten million dollar home at the top of Hong Kong on the condition Meili can locate a tenant for her other apartments in Princess Terrace. Captivated by the elegance of her client, she soon discovers that finding the "right tenant" will not be a simple task. This could almost be a travelogue as the main character sashays up and down Hong Kong's streets always meeting the glance of a silent handsome policeman or the embrace of her Tokyo photographer/male model paramour, Kim. Toss in some S&M, a hint of homosexuality, a trace of trans-gender mysticism, an old murder and some rain and you have an undecipherable mess. Written and directed by Yonfan with production help from Fruit Chan. This must be some kind of fantasy romance film that is just neither bizarre nor erotic enough for our jaded tastes. No, we didn't make this up. Japanese, Cantonese and bad English poetry with a Hindi soundtrack. Starring Teresa Cheung, Matsuzaka Keiko and Harisu 2004
The Pink Mirror/Gulabi Aaina Bollywood meets Divine in this Hindi drag queen from Sridhar Rangayan and the folks at solaris films. If you ever wondered what it's like to be Indian and a drag queen, this funny film will give you more than a peek. Two older wo/men, Bibbo and her friend Shabbo make fools of themselves trying to seduce two handsome boys. It's a great send up of the Bollywood genre and if you pay attention you may get to see this at a local film festival. Unrated Hindi w/subtitles 40 minutes 2002 Also check out their latest release 68 Pages www.68pages.blogspot.com
Hedwig and the Angry Inch Hedwig is the transexual East German singer for the band, The Angry Inch. They are playing bowling alleys while Hedwig's old flame Tommy is packing arenas with Hedwig's songs. We get Hedwig's sordid tale in flashbacks all about his cut rate trans-gender operation that left an inch behind and his marriage to an American GI. It's a musical written/directed by John Cameron Mitchell. Music by Steven Trask based on the Broadway play. 2000 rated PG 13 90 minutes Thanks to Doctor X
Shadey Oliver Shadey has an unusual talent, he can project an image onto film with his mind. British intelligence wants his talents so he agrees to work for them in exchange for enough cash for his sex change operation. They renege for fear the operation will affect his powers so he gets Katherine Helmond to castrate him with a kitchen knife. Are you still with me ? He then shaves his chest cross dresses and goes about his life after dodging all the spies who are tailing him. I think Patrick MacNee plays Shadey and look for the great British/Indian Actress Madhav Sharma as a church custodian. I 'd be surprised if you can find this one, I got my copy dumpster diving behind my local video store. 1987 PG-13 about 90 minutes British?
Ma Vie En Rose Ludovic is a seven year old boy that is convinced he is a girl. So he dresses as one and is prepared to marry the son of his dad's boss. This is all very awkward for the parents, and their family life strains under the harmless obsession of their son. The stressed out parents take Ludo to a physchiatrist, they cut his hair, they forbid him to wear dresses and still the neighbors shun them. Eventually dad loses his job and they move to a less affluent but more accepting town. It's all too allegorical. This is a ham fisted cutsey film that uses an unthreatening kid to prove middle class Belgians are scared of anything strange (I.E. Gay). Who cares? Directed by Alain Berliner. Belgian 1998 89 minutes Rated R 11/98
The Orkly Kid Recommended by Jenny who sent the following synopsis : "Early 80's short film by Trent Harris (Rubin & Ed, Plan 10, etc). The king of confusion Crispin Glover (we're talking pre back to the future) stars as a young man who hides a dark and terrifying secret from his small town. The deep inner compulsion to don a platinum wig and dress as Olivia Newton John. Then at a school talent show he unveils his deep secret...will it bring fame and fortune or torment? Glover's called this his favorite role ever." If it's anythinglike Rubin & Ed it would be worthwhile tracking down. Thanks Jenny
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Three drag queens in a bus speeding across the deserts of central Australia. Directed by Stephan Eliott and stolen by Hollywood for To Wang Foo.100 min Rated R 1994
Pink Flamingos Do you think John Waters is embarrassed that he made this ? Is Babs Johnson really a loser? There are two world class drag queens in this classic. Bab's is the easy one, but can you find the second ?
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Tim Curry secured his screen credentials as the "Sweet transvestite from Transylvania" in this rock and roll musical. Also look for Meat Loaf and Susan Sarandon at the start of their careers in this wild 1975 British tale of two lost lovers. Curry plays the androginously sexy mad doctor who scares the couple with his overt behavior. Great music. If you never saw 'performed' in a theater, I guess the tape is worth watching. 1975 100 minutes rereleased in an anniversary edition in 1995 Thanks to Dennis Burke
Wigstock A documentary of the 1994 drag queen music festival held on the west side of Manhattan. Interviews are laced between hard to fathom musical numbers that defy description. Well done, maybe you'll see someone you know.
Trash Holly Woodlawn, the Queen of all drag queens stars with Joe Delasandro in this Andy Warhol "film" about dumpster diving and heroin abuse. I really, really, really liked this movie, but I was fourteen at the time.
Zazie dans le Metro Zazie visits her Uncle in Paris while her mom takes off for a fling with her latest beau. Filmed in 1962 this movie could be a mutant French Jerry Lewis/Monkees film that may only interest cinemagraphic historians. We listed it here because her uncle is a performing drag queen and we didn't have anywhere else to stick it. 1962 color 92 min French w/subtitles 8/99
Serial Mom Kathleen Turner is an overbearing mom who torments her neighbors so they'll behave more rationally. Mink Stole is in this winner. John Waters has always been an equal opportunity employer for cross dressers.
Honorable mentions to:
Birdcage/ Le Cage au Folles I&II
All John Waters Films
All Andy Warhol Films
Victor/Victoria
Tootsie
