TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, JULIE NEWMAR
US, 1996, 109 minutes, Colour.
Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, John Leguizamo, Stockard Channing, Blythe Danner, Arliss Howard, Jason London, Chris Penn, Melinda Dillon, Beth Grant, Alice Drummond, Ru Paul, Julie Newmar, Michael Vartan, Robin Williams.
Directed by Beeban Kidron.
Planned before Priscilla, but made after, this is a much more gentle and sentimental story of three drag queens who, with their New York pizzazz, are stranded mid-west in a drab little town. Yes, they change people's lives for the better. Yes, they discover their own humanity. Yes, it is a plea for tolerance and for seeing similarities rather than differences.
As expected, there is a big budget for gowns, dresses and eccentric outfits. The three stars enter into the spirit of the show with energy, Patrick Swayze giving a particularly good and sympathetic performance, immersing himself in his character. Wesley Snipes is a surprise choice for his role. John Leguizamo is the hustling Chi-Chi?. The supporting cast includes Stockard Channing, Blythe Danner and a Robin Williams cameo. A cheerful plea for acceptance.
1. An entertainment with a message? Acceptance? The 1990s? The impact of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert?
2. Changing attitudes towards drag queens, homosexuality, homophobia? The 1990s, opened and closed attitudes?
3. US attitudes, cities, in the midwest?
4. The big cities, clubs, costumes and decor, competitions?
5. Nebraska, the countryside, tone, apartments, shops, the garage? The contrast with cities?
6. The range of songs, performance, costumes and dance, spectacle?
7. The male stars, the make up, costumes? The characters? The credibility?
8. The competition, dressing for the parade, the performance, judges, the prize, Chi Chi and her wanting the prize? Upset? The discussions with the wealthy man, Robin Williams, and his cash gift?
9. The choice of the car, travelling, the three and their interactions, Vida as the grande dame? Noxeema, black, wanting to be Dorothy Dandridge? The Latina? Styles, talk, speech, manner, arguments?
10. The sheriff, his advances, Vida’s attack, leaving him on the road? His campaign against them? In the bar, talking with Virgil, searching, the shops, the ballet schools? Coming into the town, the confrontation, the people against him? Shouting from the side? Homophobic?
11. The car and the breakdown, meeting Bobby Ray, giving the lift, the attraction to Chi Chi, delivering them in the town, Virgil and the delay in the car repair, Carol Ann and the room, the reactions – and later decorating?
12. Going into the town, meeting Beatrice, explaining everyone and their backgrounds? The black man and his owning the cafe, the date with Beatrice? Carol Ann’s children, Bobby Lee and love for Bobby Ray? Chi Chi and her being in love?
13. Carol Ann, Virgil, his brutality, beating, her excuses about the onions, the spices in the cooking and his harsh reaction?
14. Clara, dropping her picture, not talking, the cinema, her memorabilia? Noxeema following, the discussions about Dorothy Dandridge, Clara talking, Lena Horne? Going shopping, her change?
15. The women in the town, the Girls’ Day, socialising, talking, the strawberry Festival, Wild and red and the fair? Going to the shop, the assistant and his stammer, the materials, then taking them, his dressing up? Parading in the outfits?
16. The boys in the town, aggressive, Noxeema and her grabbing the boy’s crutch, his apologies? His slinking off? Dressing up and defending visitors the next day?
17. The dancing, Chi Chi and the argument with Vida, Bobby Ray and his dressing up, his offer, Chi Chi? Letting go, Bobby Ray and Roberta, the make up? Everybody dancing?
18. The effect on the town, the celebration of the Festival? Everybody dressed up, the violence of the sheriff? Carol Ann knowing the truth about them all the time?
19. The decision to go home, Vida and to go to meet her parents and not needing approbation?
20. The picture of Julie Newmar, the gift to Carol Ann? Julie appearing at the end as one of the judges? And Chi-Chi? winning?
21. Message about acceptance and tolerance – through an entertainment?
