To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (1995)

Director:

Beeban Kidron

Writer (WGA):

Douglas Carter Beane (written by)

Release Date:

8 September 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Attitude is everything.

Plot:

Three drag queens travel cross-country until their car breaks down, leaving them stranded in a small town.

Plot Keywords:

Drag | Small Town | Drag Queen | Road | Long Title

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Wesley Snipes	...	Noxeema
Patrick Swayze	...	Vida
John Leguizamo	...	Chi-Chi
Stockard Channing	...	Carol Ann
Blythe Danner	...	Beatrice
Arliss Howard	...	Virgil
Jason London	...	Bobby Ray
Chris Penn	...	Sheriff Dollard
Melinda Dillon	...	Merna
Beth Grant	...	Loretta
Alice Drummond	...	Clara
Marceline Hugot	...	Katina
Jennifer Milmore	...	Bobby Lee
Jamie Harrold	...	Billy Budd
Mike Hodge	...	Jimmy Joe

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for subject matter involving men living in drag, a brief scene of spousal abuse and some language.

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | Argentina:13 | Australia:PG | Chile:14 | Denmark:16 | Finland:K-8 | France:U | Germany:12 (w) | Netherlands:AL | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 (video premiere) | Singapore:NC-16 | Spain:T | UK:PG | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Cornwall, New York, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Gary Oldman claims he was originally offered one of the lead drag roles but decided he didn't want to do another part that required extensive make-up after his experiences on Dracula (1992).

Goofs:

Continuity: Near the end of the movie, Carol Ann is saying goodbye to Vida and Carol Ann's hair is in a ponytail. In the next shot, her hair is loose in the back and not a ponytail.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Vida Boheme: Ready or not, here comes mama!

Movie Connections:

References Island in the Sun (1957)

Soundtrack:

Body Beautiful

Much more than a "light comedy"

This movie is much more than a showcase for middle-aged actors to strut their female stuff. It's all about how men, even homosexual men, perceive women, as opposed to the reality of women and their lives.

It's a trenchant though gentle and very funny lesson in gender politics. These actors are brilliant in their portrayal of all of the superficial attributes of women. Every time I see the movie, I'm amazed at their performances - and at the insight and depth of the text.

This movie suggests the impossibility of separating the external gloss of femininity from its source - women themselves. And that women are not the sum of their feminine mannerisms, but whole people who are still too often subgugated by men.

The drag queens are so much more "female" than any genuine woman they meet. But because they are actually men, they enjoy the power of their masculine gender to construct and control their lives that is unobtainable for the women.

The 'girls' end up defending the real women in the movie in a way that is more 'gallant' than any Knight in Shining Armor. Their homosexuality fosters a compassion and understanding of the lot of women in a way that the 'manly' men in the movie cannot grasp. And perhaps the 'girls' end up with a more complete notion of femininity as well. I treasure this movie because I am so grateful for its message.

This flip, light little movie really deserves close examination. Magnificent performances and real heart. Thanks from me too, Julie Newmar!