I originally saw this at the S.F. Gay/Lesbian Film Festival ten years ago and it's stuck with me. Writer, Director, and Producer Bessie and one of the puppeteer's - Forman Brown - were in attendance and warmly welcomed. Brown was also there for a reissue of his novel, "Better Angel", written under the name, Richard Meeker.
The film was charming, informative, and there are some wonderful songs penned by Brown, especially "Catalog Woman" sung by Elsa Lanchester. Quite poignant and lovely. It's much more than a "gay" movie. It's about artists who accepted who they were and lived their lives proudly and to the fullest. It's filled with fine details on their lives in the theatre, and has some great guest stars.
I highly recommend this fine documentary. Check out one of Bessie's other films, "Hard Traveling" based upon a novel by his father, Alvah Bessie.
Steve Stromberg