To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar

[00:00:00] It's Pride Month and we're celebrating with a dash of sass and a sprinkle of sequins.

[00:00:06] Join us as we revisit the outrageous road trip comedy, To Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything Julie

[00:00:11] Numar, and discuss the importance of representation and the enduring power of drag.

[00:00:31] We took it all. We brought them to a night, amber hot and icy cold. The rage of the earth.

[00:00:43] We made this curse. Carved it in the blood on our backs. We did not see. We could not,

[00:00:51] but she did. And in the end, what will I become? Senua's Saga. Hellblade 2.

[00:00:58] Play it now with Game Pass.

[00:01:00] Welcome to the No More Late Fees podcast. I'm Jackie.

[00:01:03] And I'm Danielle. And we're just two best friends and ex-blockbuster employees rewatching some of

[00:01:08] the best and worst movies from the late 90s and early 2000s. Happy Pride! This week we are talking

[00:01:15] about the 1995 comedy, To Wong Fu, Thanks for Everything Julie Numar. But before we dive in,

[00:01:22] let's get into some... Housekeeping! That was so good. I heard it. Housekeeping!

[00:01:32] I heard it this time. If you love the podcast and want to support us, here's a few ways that

[00:01:38] you can. Please leave us a review. Any app will do. When you leave us a review and you rate us,

[00:01:46] then we have access to more listeners. We get pushed up the charts and it's a win-win for

[00:01:51] everyone. Yay! Calling all beauty lovers, we're partnering with Nose to Beauty to bring you top

[00:01:57] notch makeup that'll give you nostalgia vibes. I'm so excited, Jackie. We have a new affiliate

[00:02:04] department. Yay! If you want to check out their stuff, it's really cool. So they have eyeshadow

[00:02:10] that looks like a CD. They just launched a lip gloss that looks like a little pager thing with

[00:02:16] a mirror. It's so adorable. It's so our vibe. And hopefully the listeners' vibes. If you guys want

[00:02:21] to go check out their makeup, head to NoseToBeauty.com. You can see it here, listed down below

[00:02:28] if you're watching on video and show notes if you want to go check it out. But it's NoseToBeauty,

[00:02:33] N-O-S-T-A-B-E-A-U-T-Y.com. Just use the code NMLF, that's no more late fees, you know, for 20% off.

[00:02:46] And if you want exclusive content, stickers, lives, and access to our Burn Hot Spotify playlist,

[00:02:51] as well as a mini-sode with Zach because we can't keep on topic to save our lives.

[00:02:58] So we do a deep dive on actors and actresses that we may not be that fond of. We hate, we hate,

[00:03:04] hate, hate, hate, hate. It's a hater-ific, hateration episode. Head on over to Patreon.com

[00:03:14] slash nomorelatefees. Become a Patreon bestie and you'll get access to the tea.

[00:03:20] But we are not alone. Joining us this week is returning guest Zach. Welcome back, Zach.

[00:03:27] I thank you guys so much for having me. I'm so excited to talk about this movie.

[00:03:32] We're so happy you're back. Anytime we get to do an episode with you.

[00:03:35] I never left. Oh yeah, you've been waiting.

[00:03:38] We just keep you chained in the back. Get down, Asit!

[00:03:42] It's fine. I've been in worse positions.

[00:03:47] Oh, love you, Zach.

[00:03:50] Sometimes I'm just like, am I too much?

[00:03:52] No, never enough.

[00:03:53] Not enough.

[00:03:55] So welcome back. And if you want to get to know Zach a little bit better,

[00:04:01] come back later this week as we rank our favorite movies featuring drag queens

[00:04:05] on our bonus episode. Or you can also check out our other episodes with Zach,

[00:04:10] Get Over It and All I Wanna Do. His episodes along with his bonus interviews will be linked

[00:04:15] in our show notes below. Let's get into this movie, y'all.

[00:04:19] Let's do it.

[00:04:20] Elite Manhattan drag queens Vida Boheme and Noxzema Jackson impress regional judges

[00:04:27] in competition, securing berths in the nationals in Los Angeles.

[00:04:32] When the two meet pathetic drag novice Chi Chi Rodriguez,

[00:04:37] one of the losers that a charmed Vida and Noxzema agree, well, Noxzema not so much agree,

[00:04:43] but to take the hopeless youngster under their joined wing.

[00:04:47] Soon, the three set off on a madcap road trip across America and struggle to make it to Los

[00:04:53] Angeles in time. The movie stars Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, R.I.P., John Leguizamo,

[00:05:01] Stocker Channing, Blythe Danner, Arliss Howard and Chris Penn.

[00:05:05] The movie was directed by Beban Kidron and written by Douglas Carter Bean.

[00:05:09] You can watch it currently on Tubi or rent it from Apple TV YouTube Prime for $3.99.

[00:05:16] But before we start, let's get into our ratings rewind.

[00:05:20] So you know the drill. Before we get into the movie, we'll reveal the rating our Y2K versions

[00:05:24] of ourselves would give. Then at the end, we'll see if our current selves agree with our initial

[00:05:29] rating. Our scale consists of would buy it, would buy it again.

[00:05:33] The best would play on repeat.

[00:05:35] Five day rental.

[00:05:37] Would watch again.

[00:05:39] Two day rental.

[00:05:41] Okay, but nothing to write home about.

[00:05:43] And same day rental.

[00:05:45] Ah, trash garb like Pennsylvania.

[00:05:50] In this movie, in this movie.

[00:05:51] What do you have here?

[00:05:55] I just, I don't know.

[00:05:57] I didn't like that they weren't nice to Miss Vida Boheme.

[00:06:02] That's it.

[00:06:03] Boheme.

[00:06:04] Boheme. I'm gonna say Boheme.

[00:06:06] That's how I say it.

[00:06:07] I don't want to say anything. I'm like, I thought it was Boheme.

[00:06:09] But that's fine.

[00:06:11] That's how I say it.

[00:06:14] Whatever you want, dear.

[00:06:18] So Zach, what is your Y2K rating of To Wong Foo?

[00:06:23] I would buy it.

[00:06:25] For sure. For sure. And I, yeah, definitely. I even, I mean, when I first saw this, when I was

[00:06:31] like six or seven years old, I instantly was like, this is not like anything I've ever seen before.

[00:06:36] And I am so like enamored with it. It's just, it's so fun.

[00:06:41] I had this on VHS. I don't have it anymore, but younger Danielle bought it.

[00:06:47] Jackie?

[00:06:48] And we had it on VHS as well. Miss Terry, my mother, was a drag queen connoisseur.

[00:06:55] She had anything to do with a drag queen.

[00:06:59] She was all over. I always joke with her. I'm like, your life goal is to just be best

[00:07:03] friends with a drag queen. One day we'll get there.

[00:07:07] I'm gonna shave the moment.

[00:07:09] Yes. She just loves a fabulous time.

[00:07:12] And who doesn't?

[00:07:13] Right? So definitely would buy in the Connelly household.

[00:07:18] Well, let's get into the box office. So this movie had a budget of $30 million and it made

[00:07:24] $47.8 million worldwide. It was number one at the box office in the United States for the first two

[00:07:30] weeks it was in the theater. And let's see what Lil Raj had to say. So Roger Ebert of the Chicago

[00:07:36] Sun-Times wrote, what is amazing is how the movie manages to be funny and amusing while tippy-toeing

[00:07:43] around sex, controversy, and any originality in the plot. Credit for that belongs to Swayze,

[00:07:51] Snipes, and Leguizamo. Surprisingly good at playing drag queens. While Ebert gave the film

[00:07:58] two and a half stars out of four, his colleague Gene Siskel gave a more positive review and

[00:08:05] predicted an Oscar nomination for Swayze. He did not get it.

[00:08:09] I fully agree with Siskel. Why was Patrick Swayze not nominated?

[00:08:14] And then for me, I'm saying I would say the same but for Wesley Snipes. I mean, again, they're all

[00:08:20] fantastic. Fantastic. But I mean, just Wesley Snipes is like transcendent in this movie. Like

[00:08:26] if I had never seen anything he ever done, I would never believe that this is the same guy who played

[00:08:32] Blade. Yes. I also just feel like, dare I say, this role was a bigger risk for him.

[00:08:41] Absolutely. Because he was the action star at that time. When this movie came out, I mean,

[00:08:49] it's Patrick Swayze. Everyone knows Patrick Swayze. But I have to say who was in the box

[00:08:55] office more at this time period, it was Wesley. John Leguizamo was known as a comedian. I mean,

[00:09:01] him taking this role was a risk too, as well. But like, we've talked about this a few times on the

[00:09:08] show when it comes to the Black community, when it comes to representation of gay characters,

[00:09:14] especially in the 90s in Black movies. It has been caricatures, it's been looked down upon.

[00:09:21] It was a bumpy road to where we are now in comparison. And so to see that one of the biggest

[00:09:27] action stars, Black men star in this, and all of them committed to it, was amazing.

[00:09:34] But going back to Roger Ebert's review and why he talked about originality, multiple critics

[00:09:43] pointed out the film similarities to The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,

[00:09:48] and said that To Wong Foo was subpar in comparison due to the predictability of its plot,

[00:09:53] script, and the tonal unevenness. So I think the decision to have Leeds spend most of the film in

[00:10:00] drag was a huge issue because most drag queens aren't in drag 24-7. But I think the story

[00:10:09] explains why they're in drag 24-7, why they have to be in this situation. But I get what they're

[00:10:15] saying. Yes, that's definitely been brought up as well, where I never really noticed it when I first

[00:10:21] watched it. But also I didn't know much about drag culture, so I didn't know that that's not typically

[00:10:25] what a drag queen, you know, not being in drag all the time. But you're right, I mean it does make

[00:10:30] sense in the town because they are masquerading as three women and it's just a safety issue.

[00:10:37] But then you do have those scenes where they're just alone in their rooms and they are still in

[00:10:42] full makeup, full wigs, full... But I'm not complaining because it's freaking phenomenal. It's amazing.

[00:10:48] I think the choice of them doing that also was for the actors because they were fully committing.

[00:10:55] You know, there were moments of some friction. We could talk about that a little bit later.

[00:11:00] And when they talked about friction, when they were arguing or anything happened, they would

[00:11:07] look at themselves and be like, we're in full drag. We're in dresses and we're about to try

[00:11:11] to beat each other's ass. And that would kind of take them out of it. I think it helped with

[00:11:16] their portrayal. Yeah. Doesn't Wesley Snipes, he's a method actor anyway? Yeah, so we

[00:11:26] learned a little bit about that in Blade and I think we'll get into that a little bit more when

[00:11:30] we get into Blade Trinity because I think that's where it's really talked about of him

[00:11:37] like becoming Blade essentially. Like Ryan Reynolds has gone on record saying,

[00:11:41] I've never met Wesley Snipes. I've only met Blade because he gets so method. Yeah. But we

[00:11:46] didn't get an Oscar nomination for Swayze, but we did get a Golden Globe for Best Actor nomination

[00:11:54] and a Best Supporting Actor nomination for John Legozamo. So a little upset that Wesley was

[00:12:01] snubbed. Yes. But am I surprised? No. No. No, but you know, it's funny because what you were saying

[00:12:07] about, you know, especially at the time it came out for three straight action, you know, well,

[00:12:13] not so much John Legozamo, but two of the biggest action stars and like, you know, quote unquote,

[00:12:18] masculine macho dudes doing a movie like this, but not only doing it in a way that's like, oh,

[00:12:24] we're just gonna, we're gonna make fun of it or we're going to be silly. And like, it's a big

[00:12:29] joke. They took this so seriously. Seriously. They're so committed, as you said, like, and I

[00:12:35] think that's why this is so still so great is like, none of them are just poking fun and making fun

[00:12:41] of who they're playing. They're fully embodying these characters and playing them like, so

[00:12:47] just perfectly and like, and I think that is just really it's I don't think anything like that's been

[00:12:52] done since really, I mean, where you take someone who's so famous for being an action star and then

[00:12:57] doing this movie, not to just be like, oh, look, this is gonna be so funny, you guys, this is gonna

[00:13:02] be hilarious. Watch me play a drag queen. But no, like, I'm gonna do my best. And I'm gonna treat

[00:13:07] this just as serious as all my other roles. And it's just really cool to watch. I 100% agree. I

[00:13:13] think it was important that these actors played the role, like you said, because I know a lot

[00:13:18] of complaints were the fact that they did not get, you know, men that were actually drag queens. But

[00:13:26] I think you had to have straight men in the 90s playing roles to have like the movie made. Yeah,

[00:13:33] to get it made. And for, like, the everyday Joe Schmoe to be like, I'm kind of interested because

[00:13:39] my faves in it. Or, you know, and also, if you make fun of it, like they could both crack your

[00:13:45] necks. Like, I don't know about John Leguizamo. Absolutely. You know, and it embraced the idea

[00:13:52] of what masculinity really is. But before we dive into cast and crew, let's hear a word from our

[00:13:58] pod pals. Hello, kids of the 80s, 90s and beyond. Radical Ryan Hunter here from the Radical Retro

[00:14:06] Rewind podcast. Join me along with everyone's favorite brother David and the movie geek Rob

[00:14:13] every Friday as we discuss everything from movies, TV, video games, music, action figures,

[00:14:19] and more. Every week's another adventure. We're available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify

[00:14:25] and most podcasting platforms. Hope to see you there, Radical Ones.

[00:14:37] All right, we're back and we're gonna talk about cast and crew, how these stud muffins made it into

[00:14:43] this movie. Patrick Swayze earned the role of Sage Vita Bohem by improvising a 30 minute monologue

[00:14:51] inspired by the bullying he suffered as a boy studying ballet in Texas.

[00:14:56] That's right. I forgot that he actually was a dancer. Yeah. Johnny Castle, dirty dancing.

[00:15:02] I knew his wife was a dancer. I just forgot that he actually studied to name me in dancing. So

[00:15:08] yeah, I think when they competitive or maybe not, maybe I'm just making up a whole

[00:15:13] lot.

[00:15:13] Tell us more.

[00:15:15] Well, then what happened was...

[00:15:19] Multiple unnamed male directors passed on directing while British director Beaven Kidron

[00:15:26] happily accepted the job. I'm not surprised.

[00:15:31] Yep.

[00:15:32] Oh, Viggo Mortensen auditioned for the role of Vita. I took French, I took Spanish,

[00:15:38] Espanol.

[00:15:39] But have you seen Rent? They sing La Vie Boheme.

[00:15:45] Oh, they sing La Vie Boheme.

[00:15:47] Matt Dillon, Robert Downey Jr., Rob Lowe and James Spader were also considered for the roles.

[00:15:53] I'm gonna say no to all of that.

[00:15:55] I will say though, Rob Lowe would make a very pretty woman.

[00:15:59] Very. But he's got some accusations back in the...

[00:16:03] Oh, right. Let's move on. So anyway...

[00:16:05] Just saying.

[00:16:06] So they were considered or they auditioned? They were just considered?

[00:16:10] Yeah, they were just considered.

[00:16:11] Oh, okay. Okay.

[00:16:12] I don't know if they were offered the roles.

[00:16:14] Speaking of not only accusations, but we've just witnessed the crazy of Mel Gibson.

[00:16:20] He briefly flirted with the idea of playing the part of Vita Boheme. No, absolutely not.

[00:16:27] No, he's a garbage human being. However, we're just going back in time and we're there.

[00:16:33] It's not like I couldn't see him in the role. I actually could.

[00:16:36] All I think is the scene of what women want.

[00:16:40] Yep.

[00:16:40] And I feel like he would have committed to it as well.

[00:16:43] Oh, yeah, for sure. But I'm glad we got Patrick because then

[00:16:47] it'd be really hard to talk about this movie now.

[00:16:51] Gary Oldman claims he was originally offered one of the lead drag roles but decided he didn't want

[00:16:56] to do the part. Like this would be another role that required extensive makeup. After his experience,

[00:17:03] playing Dracula in 92.

[00:17:05] I could see a little like serious black swag in there.

[00:17:09] That man could do anything. I love him. Love him so much.

[00:17:15] It's so crazy how this movie is not only just perfectly cast in general, but it's like literally

[00:17:21] a perfect time capsule of like Hollywood movie stars at this, you know, in this period, like,

[00:17:27] this was it. It was Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes. And like, you know, John Luke Wasamo,

[00:17:32] I would actually, I would liken him to like a little bit of like a Jim Carrey where he was more

[00:17:36] of a character actor. And I feel like he literally knocked it out of the park in it like in Romeo

[00:17:42] and Juliet in this like, he's just so, so talented and so diverse and like, oh, he's great. And when

[00:17:49] I was a kid, Chi Chi was definitely my favorite. And then as I've gotten older and rewatched it a

[00:17:53] bunch like it's all about Noxzema. Like she's, she's everything.

[00:17:58] I have such conflicting feelings about John Lee was on though, because I could I feel at times

[00:18:05] that he has been an a hole in, in some of the things he says, but then there are so many roles

[00:18:12] that he's done that I very much appreciate. And I appreciate when he talks about like anti blackness

[00:18:17] within the Latino community. And so having those conversations, but he is one of those people,

[00:18:24] I think that's, I have to let me fact check before I call it out. But he said some things

[00:18:31] that I gave him side eye on. But did you guys see that more very recently, actually, like a few

[00:18:38] weeks ago, he came out because it was the anniversary for this movie. And he came out

[00:18:44] and said that him and Patrick Swayze almost got into fisticuffs. Yeah. And was kind of talking

[00:18:50] about that. And Patrick Swayze talked about that whole situation in his book as well. And Patrick

[00:18:57] Swayze, his brother came out and was pretty much like telling john Leguizamo he can kick rocks,

[00:19:03] like, like, why bring this up after my brother's dead kind of thing. Like you could have done this

[00:19:08] when my brother brought it up in his book kind of situation. So yeah, that was missing.

[00:19:14] And I recall, again, I do remember like an interview where john Leguizamo really was talking

[00:19:20] about it. And the description or the explanation that they gave, again, I didn't read Patrick

[00:19:25] Swayze's book was more along the lines of john Leguizamo, like doing a lot of improv and just

[00:19:31] ad lipping and just going for it. And Patrick was very like, let's follow the script. Let's follow

[00:19:37] the schedule. Let's do what's asked. And I think that's kind of where their animosity came from

[00:19:42] bloom from. But yeah, it is a little disheartening and disappointing to hear that about the drama on

[00:19:48] set because like on screen, but then, and again, it works for the characters because they don't

[00:19:52] like each other for like a huge chunk of the movie. So whatever came on screen was just perfect.

[00:19:58] Well, I think there was some butting of heads with Patrick and Wesley as well as well because when

[00:20:07] that like beef happened, or there's one particular altercation where they almost came to Wesley was

[00:20:13] like pulled john to the side and was like, I got your back because I'm sick of this shit, you know,

[00:20:19] yeah. That is interesting. Oh, the film featured dozens of New York City drag performers and

[00:20:28] underground stars in small roles or as featured extras. This included RuPaul, Joey Arias, Lady

[00:20:37] Bunny, misunderstood Candace Kane, Flotilla DeBarge, Miss Coco Peru, and Quentin Crisp.

[00:20:46] And like I was clocking the ones that I didn't know. I was like, Oh, there's Lady Bunny.

[00:20:52] Like it was very exciting for me to watch that opening scene and take note of all the drag

[00:20:59] queens I've come to know and love. I do love, you know, obviously, when you think of this movie,

[00:21:05] think of the birdcage. And that Robert I totally forgot Robin Williams was in this movie. Yeah,

[00:21:11] deranged. And the one scene he's in, I'm like, what is even happening?

[00:21:19] We're paying the big bucks for Robin Williams. You got to give us everything you got, right?

[00:21:25] He expressed interest in a possible role but did not want to distract from the three leads. So he

[00:21:31] opted for that smaller cameo which you know, every time I hear something about he's something he's

[00:21:36] done that he did in the past. I'm like, this is why we loved him and we missed him so much.

[00:21:42] I mean, yeah, he's Mr. John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt.

[00:21:49] Who else could you get to play that role other than Robin Williams?

[00:21:52] Really? No one. Maybe Nathan Lane.

[00:21:54] Oh, that. He should have played. Who could he have been in this film?

[00:22:00] He couldn't have been in that town.

[00:22:02] There's no way.

[00:22:04] Maybe like the announcer person at the drag show.

[00:22:09] I love that.

[00:22:11] So let's dive in. I'm ready.

[00:22:16] So we're at Webster Hall, which is I've said many a time because for some reason it keeps

[00:22:21] showing up in different movies. When mama was clubbing a bag of mosaic in New York,

[00:22:27] I was going to Webster Hall and when they would have their male review shows,

[00:22:32] I was going to Webster Hall and I saw Jim Class Heroes for the first time at Webster Hall.

[00:22:38] So, oh, wow. Great times. Webster Hall. I know what a cock ring. Webster Hall.

[00:22:47] Zach said he wasn't invited to that.

[00:22:52] It's fine. I'm just used to missing out on.

[00:22:54] Oh, you were probably too young that I would have gotten arrested for taking you.

[00:23:00] You're a little baby, Zach.

[00:23:05] I mean, well, the movie opens with that amazing montage of both of them getting ready.

[00:23:13] And again, young Zach questioning his sexuality, seeing Patrick Swayze as he got out of the

[00:23:20] shower was very transformative for me. Oh, and wow. He's just so pretty.

[00:23:27] So pretty.

[00:23:28] So pretty.

[00:23:29] There's that photo. I just had it up of him and I think it was a promo shot taken for People

[00:23:36] Magazine for this movie, but he's like in a black satin slip dress and he has like full makeup and

[00:23:43] his hair is all coiffed. And it is so gorgeous. I was even literally thinking like 10 minutes ago,

[00:23:49] like, I just want to print that out and frame it because it's just so beautiful.

[00:23:55] Yes, it should just say too long foo.

[00:23:58] Yes. And then just say Patrick Swayze instead of Julianne Newmark.

[00:24:02] Yeah. Oh, I love that.

[00:24:03] That is cute.

[00:24:04] Canva here I come.

[00:24:08] So we see them getting dressed.

[00:24:11] Yes. And I've seen a lot of people make fun of this. They're like,

[00:24:15] since when could two drag Queens afford such huge apartments in New York City?

[00:24:19] Right.

[00:24:20] And who cares? They're amazing.

[00:24:22] We know Vida came from money though.

[00:24:25] That, Hey, that is a fair point.

[00:24:26] But didn't get her parents money though. They like kicked her to the curb.

[00:24:31] But did she have a trust fund?

[00:24:33] Maybe, maybe she was a man in finance.

[00:24:36] Six five.

[00:24:37] Because if you look at her, her outfits are expensive.

[00:24:40] They are.

[00:24:41] Yeah.

[00:24:42] She's living like a 1940s 1950s movie star.

[00:24:46] But I question that because then why couldn't they afford another plane ticket?

[00:24:53] Okay. See you got it.

[00:24:57] Bottom line, they're all poor.

[00:24:59] Okay. So yeah, they're getting dressed because they're getting ready for the drag show.

[00:25:03] Miss drag queen USA contest.

[00:25:06] No, no, no. That's the one at the end. Sorry.

[00:25:09] I think this was drag queen of the year. No.

[00:25:12] It had to be a regional thing because they were going to the nationals.

[00:25:15] Right.

[00:25:16] They not.

[00:25:16] Yeah. So it's the miss drag queen USA, New York edition or tri-state area edition.

[00:25:24] I don't know.

[00:25:25] It's Webster hall.

[00:25:29] And also the opening montage is set to I embody beautiful by salt and pepper,

[00:25:34] which is like the most perfect song they could have chosen.

[00:25:38] And I'm not even kidding. Like, even with like my family members,

[00:25:42] like just out of nowhere, I'll be like, where is the body?

[00:25:47] And I'm grateful that they know what I'm talking about.

[00:25:49] Otherwise, they would just look at me and be like, are you okay?

[00:25:53] You're right there, Zach.

[00:25:56] But yes, it's so fun. And you definitely just in those like first three minutes,

[00:26:00] you know exactly who each of these people are.

[00:26:03] You can definitely tell like,

[00:26:06] Noxzema is definitely more fun. And Vita is definitely more graceful.

[00:26:11] I should say she takes herself a little more seriously.

[00:26:13] And I think that's what's really fun about it is that, you know,

[00:26:18] they didn't at the time they could have just been like, okay, three drag queens.

[00:26:21] Who cares about their personalities? Them and wigs is enough.

[00:26:24] But they gave each of them a distinct persona and a personality.

[00:26:27] And I think that's what's really amazing,

[00:26:29] especially again for the time that this was really, yeah.

[00:26:33] And not stereotypical either.

[00:26:35] Exactly.

[00:26:36] Because I feel like the portrayal of gay men in cinema,

[00:26:42] especially at that time was just like kind of like Nathan Lane in The Birdcage,

[00:26:47] which just way over the top, overly feminine.

[00:26:52] And I just thought they did.

[00:26:54] They don't show signs of that in this, but there's more layers.

[00:26:57] And they're definitely more well-rounded characters.

[00:27:00] And I think like, I would say like out of all of them,

[00:27:03] the one that's most like Nathan Lane in The Birdcage would definitely be Chi-Chi.

[00:27:06] Yes.

[00:27:07] And again, it's very entertaining to watch.

[00:27:09] Very fun.

[00:27:10] And just all of her lines are just gold.

[00:27:13] Yes.

[00:27:14] With Chi-Chi, we start seeing her.

[00:27:16] She's already running late.

[00:27:18] You see her getting harassed.

[00:27:20] So you really do get like a little bit of reality

[00:27:23] that these drag queens are not living in a bubble.

[00:27:26] Yeah.

[00:27:26] And I think, yeah, it was and it was also very good to like show the audience

[00:27:30] why these characters would feel.

[00:27:32] Because if you come into this, like I did when I was younger,

[00:27:34] and I knew nothing about drag culture or why anybody would be

[00:27:38] discriminatory towards someone who is a drag queen.

[00:27:41] In that moment, you definitely it sets up why they're so nervous in this small town.

[00:27:46] And it definitely lets us see like, oh, OK, so then this is why they have to pretend.

[00:27:50] And this is why they're nervous.

[00:27:54] I love the confidence Chi-Chi has.

[00:27:57] You can't tell Chi-Chi that she's a bad bitch and she's not going to win this.

[00:28:02] Yeah, exactly.

[00:28:05] And I love when they're I can't remember if it's before or after the competition,

[00:28:12] but they're like outside and they're like, why is he?

[00:28:16] Why is he crying?

[00:28:17] And they're like, yeah, it's after she loses.

[00:28:21] Why are you crying?

[00:28:23] I love that when they say who wins that it's a tie between Noxzema and

[00:28:30] but like Chi-Chi's like, wait a minute, you didn't call my name.

[00:28:34] Just shock.

[00:28:36] Like, I don't understand.

[00:28:37] It's not it's not.

[00:28:38] She starts walking towards the center of the stage when he's announcing it.

[00:28:42] She's like, I'm right here.

[00:28:43] I'm ready.

[00:28:44] And oh, my God.

[00:28:46] And then when she doesn't get called to even make it more about her,

[00:28:49] she has to run across the stage and then trip in the middle dead center

[00:28:54] and then like pick herself up and just like hobble off the stage.

[00:28:58] And it's so funny.

[00:29:00] And so, again, like we were saying, it really just shows us in the first

[00:29:05] couple of minutes exactly who each of these people are.

[00:29:07] Yeah.

[00:29:07] And then and we can just enjoy the ride.

[00:29:10] And it shows the skill.

[00:29:11] Like if you look at their outfits, like Chi-Chi's in comparison to Noxzema and Vida,

[00:29:17] you could tell that Chi-Chi's is more it gives Party City.

[00:29:21] I hate to be that cruel, but like it's cheaper not as.

[00:29:26] Get a drag.

[00:29:27] Yes.

[00:29:28] 101.

[00:29:28] Yeah, absolutely.

[00:29:30] It's kind of trying to show that she's more of a novice or she's just getting into this world.

[00:29:35] But like just by judging by her character,

[00:29:38] she very much just wants to already be at the level of Vida and Noxzema.

[00:29:42] And of course, she has to go through steps.

[00:29:45] But I just think it's it's just so fun.

[00:29:48] You know exactly what kind of movie this is going to be, you know,

[00:29:50] exactly who these people are.

[00:29:52] And then it really does just do a wonderful job of like just setting us all up for

[00:29:56] what's to come.

[00:29:57] 100%.

[00:29:58] They take Chi-Chi with them to the restaurant.

[00:30:01] They're all at a going to.

[00:30:02] Like you said, they discover her on the steps crying because she lost.

[00:30:06] Right.

[00:30:06] And then we get the famed little Latin boy in drag.

[00:30:09] Why are you crying?

[00:30:11] I love how they're just talking about him right there.

[00:30:16] If he can't hear the entire conversation prior.

[00:30:21] And that keeps going like that's a repeated bit the whole movie.

[00:30:24] And it's so genius.

[00:30:27] And they because they do tie like Danielle said,

[00:30:32] and so they both win plane tickets to go to California for the national competition.

[00:30:39] Yes.

[00:30:39] But Vida is an old soul.

[00:30:43] She just wants to take care of people.

[00:30:46] And so she's like, we need to take this.

[00:30:49] She was really his drag mother.

[00:30:51] Like we need to take him under our wing.

[00:30:53] And teach him the art of drag.

[00:30:56] Yeah.

[00:30:57] Noxzema is reluctant.

[00:31:01] Noxzema's like, I don't have time for this shit.

[00:31:03] Like I am not picking up orphans.

[00:31:06] Okay.

[00:31:06] I don't do charity.

[00:31:08] Yes.

[00:31:09] Don't be giving me that bleeding heart.

[00:31:10] Sally Struthers look.

[00:31:14] Oh my God.

[00:31:15] And I think they're still toying with like, how can we make this work?

[00:31:19] And that's when they go to the restaurant.

[00:31:22] And Vida sees mother herself, Julie Newmar, a signed print from her.

[00:31:28] And says, this is the sign that we need to cash in these plane tickets.

[00:31:33] We'll get a car and all three of us will go.

[00:31:36] And like, are they expecting like Chi Chi's just going to be able to enter

[00:31:41] the national competition without a title?

[00:31:43] Yeah.

[00:31:43] So there's a little bit of a plot hole there.

[00:31:46] It doesn't really make too much sense.

[00:31:49] So when I first saw it or first,

[00:31:53] what I got the impression was that they were just bringing her along to be nice

[00:31:56] and not leave her like crying and sad.

[00:32:00] Right.

[00:32:00] And like, you know, come with us and we can teach you.

[00:32:03] We can, you can see what it's like.

[00:32:05] And then maybe, you know, like you said, be a drag mother.

[00:32:08] I thought the ending was a year later or something.

[00:32:12] Like I think it is.

[00:32:14] Yeah.

[00:32:15] I think that makes so much more sense because I was going to say it doesn't.

[00:32:18] Because why is she winning?

[00:32:21] I think they went and they won because them,

[00:32:24] they're not going to just let Chi Chi win.

[00:32:26] They got to go win first and then they'll raise her up for a year

[00:32:30] and then let her spread her wings and fly.

[00:32:33] Spread your wings.

[00:32:34] And you think so?

[00:32:35] Because I wish they would have clarified that

[00:32:37] because it does read as if like they left the town and went right here

[00:32:40] because it's literally the next shot.

[00:32:43] Because she did so much growth in the little town.

[00:32:46] Right.

[00:32:48] No, I feel like it's, I'm assuming it's a year later.

[00:32:52] I do really love that, that and Naksima,

[00:32:57] they do not compete against one another.

[00:33:00] No.

[00:33:00] They, they lift each other up.

[00:33:02] They are equals.

[00:33:04] They are partners and they never say a bad thing about one another.

[00:33:08] It's all about being supportive of their other.

[00:33:12] I mean, they're, they're basically like, it's like a sister's,

[00:33:15] like a sister relationship.

[00:33:16] They, and that's again, really cool.

[00:33:19] And there's so many ways that they could have made that into a storyline

[00:33:22] or, and it would have just been like,

[00:33:24] it would have detracted from the main point of the film.

[00:33:26] And yeah, it was very smart.

[00:33:28] Again, this movie is written so well.

[00:33:30] It really is.

[00:33:31] It is.

[00:33:32] I liked that the title for the movie came from an autographed picture of Julie Noomar

[00:33:36] that Bean saw on the wall of a Times Square Chinese restaurant in the mid 1980s.

[00:33:43] He said, Wong Fu is meant to be a metaphor for God

[00:33:48] because you have to thank God for everything.

[00:33:50] You have to be grateful for life.

[00:33:52] You just have to stop where you are and say, thank you for everything.

[00:33:55] A scene was filmed where the characters provide more context, but it was deleted.

[00:34:02] I feel like that should have been included though.

[00:34:04] Yeah.

[00:34:05] And this Wong Fu person is like a real person.

[00:34:10] Yeah.

[00:34:10] He was the head bartender at the China bowl restaurant on West 44th street, east of Broadway.

[00:34:18] And it actually closed in 93, but the walls of the restaurant were covered with headshots

[00:34:22] of famous actors and actresses who had stopped by.

[00:34:26] Just so cool.

[00:34:27] Yeah.

[00:34:28] I just, I do think that as perfect, as much as I love this movie so much,

[00:34:31] I do think a little more context wouldn't have hurt for the,

[00:34:35] considering it is the title of the movie.

[00:34:37] Yes.

[00:34:38] And it's such a long one too.

[00:34:40] And I do think that kind of hurt it a little bit.

[00:34:42] I'm going to be honest.

[00:34:43] I think that's kind of, because it's, if you just say the title,

[00:34:46] there is no way you were going to understand what this movie is about.

[00:34:49] No, nothing.

[00:34:50] At all.

[00:34:50] And I do think statistically titles that are a little more original

[00:34:56] kind of sometimes hurt the movies.

[00:34:58] Cause you know, as much as I love it, you know,

[00:35:01] someone being like, what?

[00:35:02] To Wong Fu thinks for everything.

[00:35:06] Okay.

[00:35:07] Like, you know, and, but that's why everyone now just calls it to Wong Fu.

[00:35:11] No one ever says like the whole title.

[00:35:13] Yeah.

[00:35:14] And it's just so funny.

[00:35:15] Like how many people probably don't even know who Julie Newmar is at this point in time.

[00:35:21] Yeah.

[00:35:21] Yeah.

[00:35:21] Because it was even a dated reference for when the movie came out.

[00:35:26] Absolutely.

[00:35:27] They could have our generation, but the generate that generation, like who they watch,

[00:35:34] they know who she is.

[00:35:36] And you know, I didn't know what time period I was living.

[00:35:38] So I know who she was.

[00:35:43] But you know, it's true though.

[00:35:44] Cause like, even the, when they try to explain who she is,

[00:35:47] it's literally an ADR line of Patrick Avita being like, and you were the only cat woman,

[00:35:54] but it's like, it's, it's just, you only hear him say that.

[00:35:57] So it's like, if you miss that, you really don't have any idea.

[00:36:00] What's going on.

[00:36:01] And I disagree.

[00:36:02] Same.

[00:36:03] Cause it's, it's always.

[00:36:05] Eartha Kitt.

[00:36:06] Yes.

[00:36:08] Even though I know.

[00:36:09] You were both saying you disagree with me.

[00:36:10] I'm like, wait, what did I say?

[00:36:13] No, we disagree with Vita.

[00:36:16] I mean,

[00:36:16] Oh yeah.

[00:36:18] I have to give Julie Newmar her props cause she was a bad bitch.

[00:36:21] And if she didn't come back and it was like a random reason why she wasn't able to come

[00:36:25] back to the show, why Eartha Kitt got the role, but still all in all, nobody goes like she does.

[00:36:32] Oh yeah.

[00:36:35] I mean, yeah, Julie Newmar was a bad bitch,

[00:36:37] but even in the end of this, we see she still was a bad bitch.

[00:36:40] Like, yeah.

[00:36:40] It was looking good.

[00:36:41] Oh, and also a fun thing.

[00:36:43] It's not really a big point, but Naomi Campbell's in this movie for like two seconds.

[00:36:46] Oh my God.

[00:36:47] So yes, they get into the restaurant and Noxzema girl, you are insane.

[00:36:51] Were they dating?

[00:36:53] You know what?

[00:36:54] I'm not sure.

[00:36:54] Wesley has dated a lot of people, but I'm not sure.

[00:36:58] Yeah.

[00:36:58] I don't know.

[00:36:58] Cause it was just, it was so cute.

[00:37:00] It felt so inside baseball in that moment.

[00:37:02] I'm like, Oh, do you guys like know each other?

[00:37:03] And it was like a cute little thing, but she basically says, Oh, I wish I was as pretty

[00:37:08] as you.

[00:37:08] And then he goes, good luck or something like that.

[00:37:14] So I see a lot of pictures with them together.

[00:37:17] Do you?

[00:37:18] Yeah.

[00:37:19] Oh, then they must have maybe, or just really good friends.

[00:37:21] I don't know.

[00:37:22] Yeah.

[00:37:22] But so we, we see them inspired by Julie Newmar.

[00:37:28] They trade in their plane tickets for cash and they buy a 1967 Cadillac and they decide

[00:37:35] to drive across country.

[00:37:36] So now they're on a little road trip girls trip, but it doesn't last long.

[00:37:42] Their car breaks down in a very small conservative town of Snidersville and they are first

[00:37:50] encountered by a very bigoted sheriff who first tries to sexually assault Veda.

[00:37:59] And when he reaches up her dress, apparently the reaction he has is very real because Patrick

[00:38:06] Swayze stuck a corncob up his dress so that Chris Penn really had something to feel when

[00:38:13] he reached up there.

[00:38:15] I'll give you something to feel.

[00:38:18] Wow.

[00:38:18] I think.

[00:38:20] And then prior to them being pulled over, we do learn a little bit of Veda's backstory

[00:38:25] of how she was shunned from her family and disowned and that she originally did come

[00:38:29] from a very wealthy family.

[00:38:31] By the way, that neighborhood.

[00:38:33] Oh my gosh.

[00:38:33] I wish I could live somewhere that nice.

[00:38:37] Oh my God.

[00:38:38] In addition to Chris Penn being a disgusting human being, he's also blatantly racist to

[00:38:45] both Noxzema and Chi-Chi in the car.

[00:38:48] Yeah.

[00:38:49] Which Chi-Chi says one of my favorite lines in the movie, Veda talk to the man, you speak

[00:38:53] honky.

[00:38:54] Like, oh my God.

[00:38:57] Amazing.

[00:38:58] I really do love this scene in general because it talked about so many things in such a short

[00:39:06] time frame.

[00:39:07] You know, it shows how scared they were.

[00:39:13] Like if I show my license, it's going to show me as a man and in this situation, that's

[00:39:19] scary.

[00:39:20] And you know, that could speak even to the trans community, what that's like, especially

[00:39:25] legally, if they're not allowed to change their name and gender, like on their driver's

[00:39:31] license and stuff like that.

[00:39:32] And then speaking to the racism, which like any Black person can tell you driving through

[00:39:39] some of even like some parts of Pennsylvania, even in some parts that, you know, everyone

[00:39:45] just thinks the Bible belt.

[00:39:47] There's a ton of places across the country where you just have to be so prepared because

[00:39:51] you just never know.

[00:39:52] And so you see the privilege of Veda being a white man, but still having the layers of

[00:40:00] every time you're at, you're checking off a different situation for all of them.

[00:40:06] And I think it's crazy that they am like, y'all don't know how to check if someone's

[00:40:12] dead.

[00:40:13] And also like you just pushed him and he didn't hit his head on like a metal bar or anything.

[00:40:20] You didn't whack him with a bat.

[00:40:23] You didn't whack him with that corn cob.

[00:40:25] Like there's nothing.

[00:40:27] Come on, come on.

[00:40:28] It was crazy, but they are all trying to figure out like if he's dead and they decide to leave

[00:40:36] him the sheriff who is passed out.

[00:40:39] Of course, in the midst of everything, Chi Chi loses her shoe.

[00:40:45] So I just love how this movie is really Cinderella.

[00:40:49] Right?

[00:40:49] Yeah.

[00:40:50] She leaves her glass clipper.

[00:40:52] I don't remember if this situation happens before or after that.

[00:40:57] Another thing, I think this happens after because before they need to rest, they've

[00:41:01] been trying to drive through right?

[00:41:03] And now they're like, they go to a budget host.

[00:41:06] Yes.

[00:41:06] And this is the first moment that you could tell that there's like a legitimate fear of

[00:41:11] like traveling again, because they're still in drag, which is that's where I'm like, this

[00:41:16] is weird.

[00:41:17] Why?

[00:41:18] Why are they still in drag driving?

[00:41:21] Also, I have a question.

[00:41:23] Yeah.

[00:41:23] How far is it from New York City to Pennsylvania?

[00:41:28] Maybe two hours, three hours, depending on.

[00:41:30] So we have to drive two hours and then rest overnight.

[00:41:35] I don't I feel like they got pat.

[00:41:37] They were well, remember, they threw away the map.

[00:41:39] So we have no fucking idea where they've gone at this point.

[00:41:42] But they have been driving straight.

[00:41:44] It says it's a three hour.

[00:41:45] I pulled up the facts.

[00:41:46] I'm basically like Wade and Kim Possible.

[00:41:50] It's three hours and 34 minutes from New York to Pennsylvania.

[00:41:53] They haven't been driving very long.

[00:41:56] But I don't know if they're still in Pennsylvania.

[00:41:58] I know we saw that day he went to his parents house, but that was daytime.

[00:42:02] And then they left.

[00:42:03] It's nighttime.

[00:42:03] So they've probably gone a few hours now.

[00:42:06] And you know, at least six hours.

[00:42:07] Yeah.

[00:42:08] Yeah.

[00:42:09] So I love that.

[00:42:11] Again, Chi Chi has no, no fear whatsoever.

[00:42:16] Right.

[00:42:16] And it's very admirable.

[00:42:17] It really is.

[00:42:18] It is.

[00:42:19] Because she's and it's funny.

[00:42:20] And I didn't really think about it till now.

[00:42:22] But it's like, you know, Vida and Noxema are both like we need to teach her.

[00:42:25] But she is kind of teaching them a little bit to be less afraid and be more yourself.

[00:42:31] And yes.

[00:42:32] And I think that's cool.

[00:42:33] And I love love the go ahead.

[00:42:35] Google AI says it's Snydersville is in Nebraska.

[00:42:39] So I feel better now.

[00:42:41] Oh, they travel quite a ways.

[00:42:42] Wait, wait, Matt, Matt.

[00:42:45] Okay.

[00:42:45] So Pennsylvania is okay.

[00:42:48] New York, New York, New York, Pennsylvania's here.

[00:42:53] Then the breath.

[00:42:54] I don't know.

[00:42:54] I just know they went west.

[00:42:56] Hold on.

[00:42:59] Now Nebraska.

[00:43:02] I need another map.

[00:43:04] North of Texas.

[00:43:06] North.

[00:43:06] Okay.

[00:43:06] Wait.

[00:43:09] Now I have to look at a map to make sure.

[00:43:11] This ain't Texas.

[00:43:12] So they go to that hotel and they're greeted randomly.

[00:43:19] And they're like, oh, I've been waiting for you.

[00:43:20] Your group is here.

[00:43:21] And they're like, what the hell are you talking about?

[00:43:23] Turns out there's like a woman's basketball like meet up or reunion.

[00:43:29] I love because what a fun little shout out that white men can't jump.

[00:43:33] I think that was so cute.

[00:43:36] I love Noxema's full outfit and that she's like, I'm going to be a part of this.

[00:43:42] And then she is just like,

[00:43:45] but if these are women basketball players,

[00:43:48] it's hard for me to imagine that they would not be more competition.

[00:43:52] They were very like lackluster.

[00:43:55] So we get that high kick from him, which is fabulous.

[00:43:59] And then I just see, it's just these little things that he does where he like fully just,

[00:44:03] he just gives it as all like when he walks after he scores the basket is I'm gay.

[00:44:08] I don't know sports.

[00:44:10] We don't know.

[00:44:10] We don't either.

[00:44:13] When he gets it in there and then when he's walking away,

[00:44:16] like he does this little strut and he's like swinging his hair back and forth.

[00:44:19] And it is just like, it's so genius.

[00:44:22] And again, like, oh, it's just it's so good.

[00:44:25] I could go about this movie all day.

[00:44:26] One of my favorite scenes and we'll get to it in a few minutes.

[00:44:30] But when he is following behind the old lady and like calling after her,

[00:44:36] I'm a coming.

[00:44:37] I'm a coming.

[00:44:38] I'm gonna get you.

[00:44:39] I'm a coming.

[00:44:40] Top notch.

[00:44:41] Yes, the best.

[00:44:43] And that's what I'm saying.

[00:44:44] Like when I first watched it, I think I was just so like captivated by Chi Chi because

[00:44:49] she was just so outrageous and just so like larger than life.

[00:44:54] And then as I was watching and then as I got older and I really learned more about each

[00:44:58] of these actors and I was watching, I'm like, wow, Wesley Snipes is just, I mean, for me,

[00:45:04] like if I had to pick one person, I personally would pick Wesley Snipes to be nominated for an

[00:45:08] Oscar. They're all fantastic and I'd be happy if any of them did.

[00:45:11] But like that transformation is just like I think one of the best performances of all time.

[00:45:17] I could not agree with you more.

[00:45:19] 100%.

[00:45:20] He killed it.

[00:45:21] He did.

[00:45:22] But can we talk about the fact that Chi Chi has lucky girl syndrome?

[00:45:29] Besides the fact that she loses the competition, but she gets to the hotel and they are

[00:45:36] automatically welcomed.

[00:45:38] They break down and then that's when they have their first real fight.

[00:45:42] And again, it's hilarious.

[00:45:45] And I think Vida is definitely being tested by Chi Chi.

[00:45:51] And so she obviously turns to her framed picture and is just praying for a miracle,

[00:45:56] praying for help.

[00:45:58] And then Chi Chi storms off and she says, and I quote, I'm the Latina Marilyn Monroe.

[00:46:02] I got more legs than a bucket of chicken.

[00:46:04] I love that.

[00:46:08] And I also love that in this scene, this like it's one thing we did miss is that the two of

[00:46:15] them we learn have no idea what they're doing training a young Chi Chi, their Padawan.

[00:46:21] They like they have no idea.

[00:46:23] And so they're just making shit up as the flies.

[00:46:25] So they tell her there's like four main things that she's going to have to accomplish to be

[00:46:33] able to become a full on drag queen.

[00:46:36] So that is...

[00:46:37] She's a drag princess now, not a drag queen.

[00:46:39] Because they kind of dragged her for filth about like her being a sheen version of their

[00:46:48] whole aesthetic.

[00:46:51] Yes.

[00:46:51] And Chi Chi is not happy to hear that.

[00:46:53] So she threats to leave and she gets about 12 feet.

[00:46:57] And then yeah, they tell her, you know, you got to learn.

[00:47:00] And for right now, we'll just call you a drag princess, which she's very happy about.

[00:47:05] And you're right.

[00:47:06] They're very much just clearly making this stuff up as they go because their goal is

[00:47:09] just to get her back in the car so we could get to where we need to go.

[00:47:13] But the fighting between Chi Chi and Noxzema is just it's just never not funny.

[00:47:17] Like a little dig.

[00:47:19] Oh, so funny.

[00:47:21] And then going back to Chi Chi's lucky girl syndrome, she takes one of those fried chicken

[00:47:27] legs out and she gets her a man.

[00:47:31] Now, I don't know which London boy is this?

[00:47:34] Jeremy or Jason?

[00:47:37] Okay.

[00:47:37] Which one's the crazy?

[00:47:40] Is there one crazy?

[00:47:41] Well, I just...

[00:47:42] The one that was like arrested and stuff.

[00:47:44] Oh, yeah.

[00:47:44] He did that whole thing when he like he did an interview and he was like a little

[00:47:49] cuckoo banana crackers.

[00:47:51] I can only...

[00:47:52] Okay, let me tell by their roles because I don't know which one.

[00:47:56] Oh, oh, so the crazy ones in Out Cold.

[00:48:00] Interesting.

[00:48:01] So Jason...

[00:48:04] Which one is this one?

[00:48:05] All right.

[00:48:06] So Jason London who has problems.

[00:48:08] I don't want to say crazy.

[00:48:09] That's not nice.

[00:48:09] But he's had some issues.

[00:48:11] He has he's the one who's in Dazed and Confused, The Man in the Moon, Out Cold, Rage, Carrie 2,

[00:48:19] Jason and the Aggonauts, Dracula 3 Legacy.

[00:48:24] My favorite movie of all time.

[00:48:25] It's starting to get it's starting to get starting to go downhill.

[00:48:28] Okay, so those are his movies.

[00:48:31] Now Jeremy, I'm gonna say Mallrats, The Babysitter, Party of Five.

[00:48:38] He was on Seventh Heaven.

[00:48:39] I don't know why I wanted to bring that up but he was.

[00:48:44] And Journey to the Center of the Earth.

[00:48:47] I've smoked pot.

[00:48:48] Yeah.

[00:48:51] Anywho.

[00:48:52] Okay, so we're dealing with Jason London in this one.

[00:48:55] Okay.

[00:48:56] The the that's the good.

[00:48:59] Yeah, that's the good London.

[00:49:01] Jeremy.

[00:49:02] Yeah, Jeremy was arrested for domestic violence.

[00:49:06] That's what I was talking about.

[00:49:07] He went off the rails.

[00:49:09] Jeremy was the Mallrat Seventh Heaven.

[00:49:13] Damn, Seventh Heaven.

[00:49:14] Hold on, hold on.

[00:49:15] But this one says...

[00:49:17] Oh, Jason London was arrested for public intoxication.

[00:49:22] So it's a twin thing.

[00:49:23] Okay, they both need help.

[00:49:27] Or babies.

[00:49:29] We don't know their backstory.

[00:49:31] You don't know my life.

[00:49:34] So yes, but Jason London plays Bobby Ray.

[00:49:39] And he is immediately smitten and come into Chi Chi's rescue

[00:49:43] as the bully kids are ganging up on her in the town.

[00:49:50] Well, oh, wait.

[00:49:52] Bobby Ray picks him up.

[00:49:54] Right.

[00:49:55] Picks up Chi Chi.

[00:49:55] The side of the road.

[00:49:56] Yeah.

[00:49:57] And then they go get the rest of the crew.

[00:50:00] And then they take them.

[00:50:02] He takes them back to their the town.

[00:50:05] And there is one man, of course, in the town that can fix the car.

[00:50:09] So he screams for him.

[00:50:12] Virgil.

[00:50:13] Virgil to, you know, to let them let him know that they need to get the car.

[00:50:17] The wonderful Virgil.

[00:50:19] Yeah.

[00:50:20] And just so happens that Virgil is the mechanic and he also owns the Airbnb.

[00:50:27] Yeah.

[00:50:29] Well, it used to be called a motel.

[00:50:31] Right.

[00:50:32] And so now they're very worried because they're not sure they're in small town.

[00:50:40] Yeah.

[00:50:41] Like, are we going to be found out?

[00:50:42] And so I love that they get to the room.

[00:50:45] They're like, it looks like a shack in here.

[00:50:47] But OK, we'll do we'll make do the three of them share decide to share a room,

[00:50:51] which is another safety situation.

[00:50:53] Right.

[00:50:55] And I love how they're like trying to dim the lights, they turn the lights up like

[00:50:59] they do not.

[00:51:00] Nothing but overhead light.

[00:51:03] That's a no, no.

[00:51:06] And so we we met me meet Virgil and then we meet Carol Ann, who is his wife.

[00:51:13] And she's Dr. Channing down bad.

[00:51:16] Oh, good.

[00:51:16] It's such a stark comparison to her in First Wives Club.

[00:51:22] Yeah.

[00:51:22] Oh, yeah.

[00:51:24] Oh, they're like, do you guys have anything a little more hospitable?

[00:51:27] And she's like the presidential suite and she's like, must have been one of those bad

[00:51:32] presidents.

[00:51:33] Oh, why is she me?

[00:51:40] It's the Ronald Reagan suite.

[00:51:42] The bane of all of our existence.

[00:51:45] Why we're in the scenarios we're in today.

[00:51:48] 100%.

[00:51:49] OK, so it's the next day they wake up and that's when they that's when they go outside

[00:51:53] and all the townspeople are kind of just very curious.

[00:51:57] Yes.

[00:51:58] Yeah.

[00:51:59] Because Virgil brings the car, he tows the car in and he tells them that he can't fix

[00:52:04] the car right away, that it's going to need to order a part.

[00:52:08] And they're like, what the fuck are we going to do here?

[00:52:10] And what I don't understand is, yes, I know it's a 90s.

[00:52:13] And so a lot of people don't know about drag queens or drag queen culture.

[00:52:17] But I know a six foot four man in a dress.

[00:52:21] Right.

[00:52:22] I see one.

[00:52:23] Well, we try to justify it a little bit, though.

[00:52:26] They try to make it like a super backwater town, like a super rural, like probably has

[00:52:31] one phone in the whole town.

[00:52:33] But play.

[00:52:35] So, I mean, yeah, you kind of do have to suspend your disbelief for a little bit, which is

[00:52:41] fine for me.

[00:52:41] I mean, I buy it.

[00:52:42] I do, especially for the time it's set.

[00:52:45] Now this movie, it wouldn't work.

[00:52:48] Yeah.

[00:52:49] I love it.

[00:52:50] I feel like.

[00:52:52] Yeah, but also, Carol Anne at the end, it reveals like she clocked it immediately and

[00:52:58] yeah, she knew the whole time.

[00:52:59] Yeah.

[00:53:00] Yeah.

[00:53:01] So they're just they're good old values that they're not going to like be rude.

[00:53:06] Is that what it is?

[00:53:07] And it's also like and I also do think maybe I'm the only one,

[00:53:12] I feel like she passes as a woman.

[00:53:15] Yeah, I do think John Leguizamo in drag does look like a woman.

[00:53:19] I mean, like, yes, as like as a you know, as what they're saying what they are.

[00:53:24] I would buy John Leguizamo.

[00:53:26] I not so much crazy or Wesley Snipes.

[00:53:28] Yeah, yeah.

[00:53:29] But, you know, you know, well, and John Leguizamo went on a vegetarian diet for six

[00:53:35] months before shooting in order to lose muscle mass and have a more feminine physique.

[00:53:42] I think it I mean, I think it definitely translates.

[00:53:44] And like he's I mean, they're all this sounds so weird, like they're all gorgeous.

[00:53:49] But like even in this shot, like he's a babe.

[00:53:51] Yeah.

[00:53:52] Oh, my God.

[00:53:54] But and then I think is that when they're fighting and and Noxzema goes,

[00:53:58] why do I feel like I'm in the Macy's Thanksgiving parade?

[00:54:01] And John Leguizamo quickly just says, because you're as big as a float.

[00:54:06] God, brilliant, brilliant.

[00:54:09] At this point, they're all getting to know the townspeople.

[00:54:12] It's I love how the men and the women just automatically separate.

[00:54:16] And so we find out that Black Danner's character

[00:54:20] is secretly in love with the only black man in town.

[00:54:24] And he's in love with her.

[00:54:26] I don't know what's taking them so long to be together.

[00:54:29] I know.

[00:54:30] So she's kind of like the town gossip.

[00:54:32] She gives them the tea on everybody.

[00:54:36] And she's ruthless.

[00:54:36] She's ruthless.

[00:54:37] She'll just say it exactly how it is.

[00:54:40] Then we have Loretta, who's just kooky.

[00:54:43] I always remember her from Speed.

[00:54:45] And she's in a lot of Sandra Bullock movies because

[00:54:49] so much stuff.

[00:54:50] Beth Grand, I think is her name.

[00:54:52] She's in.

[00:54:52] Yes.

[00:54:53] She's in so much stuff.

[00:54:55] And then I have to get off the bus.

[00:55:00] We also have I don't know which actress plays the role, but the local hairdresser.

[00:55:07] She's around as well.

[00:55:08] Right.

[00:55:09] And she's giving me Goldie Hawn.

[00:55:12] But yeah, she like I think she looks like it's crazy.

[00:55:15] But and then one of the oh and Clara.

[00:55:19] Yeah.

[00:55:20] So sweet, sweet, innocent Clara.

[00:55:23] Who supposedly doesn't talk.

[00:55:26] She's mute.

[00:55:28] Right.

[00:55:28] Right.

[00:55:29] They think she can't hear.

[00:55:31] Right.

[00:55:32] But we find out later she's just very select who she talks to.

[00:55:37] And you can see in that scene that Noxema takes an instant interest in her.

[00:55:41] Yes.

[00:55:42] And then also, I couldn't believe it because I was rewatching it again.

[00:55:45] And I'm like, one of the men in town is Michael Vartan.

[00:55:48] Yeah.

[00:55:49] Yes.

[00:55:49] Yeah.

[00:55:50] I was like, you look not well.

[00:55:55] You're not.

[00:55:55] I mean, I think the I think the role that I fell in love with Michael Vartan was Alias.

[00:56:02] Yeah.

[00:56:02] I feel like that's everybody.

[00:56:03] Yeah.

[00:56:04] Because if you say it's never been kissed, it's like, well,

[00:56:07] we have issues.

[00:56:09] And monster in law.

[00:56:11] Okay.

[00:56:11] I mean, he's hot and that I'm not gonna lie.

[00:56:13] But again, I've come off very thirsty this episode.

[00:56:16] Let me just say like, I'm fine.

[00:56:18] I'm okay.

[00:56:20] We're all thirsty.

[00:56:21] That's all right.

[00:56:23] We all got a little thirst in us.

[00:56:25] Hey, just listen to my go up is our go episode because I just go on and on about

[00:56:31] Timothy Oliphant as the dirty like drug dealer who's so fucking hot.

[00:56:36] So now they're like, okay, we're stuck in this town.

[00:56:39] We got to figure some shit out.

[00:56:40] And Bob and partnered.

[00:56:42] It seems like they're partnered with different people because Vita is with Carol Ann.

[00:56:47] And Nogzima is follow it.

[00:56:50] Figure out Clara.

[00:56:51] So like you do a little bit of Nogzima following Clara again, because I'm so happy.

[00:56:58] Me?

[00:56:59] Yes.

[00:56:59] Oh.

[00:57:00] I'm a coming.

[00:57:00] I'm a coming.

[00:57:01] I'm a getcha.

[00:57:01] And then she goes, girl, did you just do a Yui?

[00:57:06] Oh my god.

[00:57:06] So good.

[00:57:07] Because Clara has this big old scrapbook and she drops like a picture and the gossip queen

[00:57:14] tells everybody that her husband owns like a movie theater or something like that.

[00:57:21] And they were around like all the biggest movie stars at the time.

[00:57:25] And then her husband was like, oh, I'm so happy.

[00:57:28] And then her husband died.

[00:57:30] And it turns out that she's just has a plethora of like.

[00:57:35] Just artifacts from that time period.

[00:57:38] And so Nogzima just goes on a tangent talking about like Dorothy Dandridge, and then they

[00:57:44] go back and forth of like naming all of Dorothy Dandridge's movies.

[00:57:49] And that's when we learned that, you know, she could talk.

[00:57:51] I do love that Nogzima doesn't like act crazy about it.

[00:57:55] She just kind of goes with the flow when she starts talking.

[00:57:58] It's a very sweet scene.

[00:57:59] It's very sweet.

[00:58:00] And I do think it's like one of the most, one of the more heartfelt moments in the movie.

[00:58:04] And you're right.

[00:58:05] I absolutely love it.

[00:58:06] They just get along.

[00:58:07] And then she asks if she wants to do Lena Horne next.

[00:58:10] And you can just, oh, it's just so sweet.

[00:58:12] And it's just adorable.

[00:58:15] And again, like knowing like if you're watching this for the first time, you wouldn't think

[00:58:19] that this is where it would go.

[00:58:20] Yeah.

[00:58:21] Right.

[00:58:22] It's cool.

[00:58:23] And Bobby Ray is, you know, following Chi Chi around.

[00:58:28] And Chi Chi is just out in the streets, just walking around.

[00:58:31] And she's getting cornered by all of it.

[00:58:35] It gets very scary for a second.

[00:58:37] I don't particularly love this scene.

[00:58:39] And I also don't think it needed to be in it because it kind of makes it it's like,

[00:58:44] how are we supposed to root for them later then?

[00:58:46] Like, no way.

[00:58:47] It's just kind of I get the ick.

[00:58:49] Like what are their intentions?

[00:58:51] Again, you don't know because nothing really happens.

[00:58:53] And then again, it's like it was in there for a reason.

[00:58:57] Like you were supposed to infer what you think is going to happen.

[00:59:00] And then it's like, OK, so then later when they're all dancing, we're supposed to go.

[00:59:04] Yeah, good.

[00:59:05] Right.

[00:59:06] Yeah.

[00:59:07] Why is there so many like attempted rapes in this movie?

[00:59:10] Right.

[00:59:11] Oh, my God.

[00:59:12] It's true.

[00:59:13] And so that I will say, like, if I could, if I was the editor, I'd be like, we didn't

[00:59:16] need the scene.

[00:59:17] Yeah.

[00:59:20] Like the danger could just be that they're being found out or physical violence.

[00:59:24] Well, because it gets really intense to where they all like get like surround her like this.

[00:59:29] It's like it didn't need to go that far.

[00:59:31] I think it kind of detracts from like what you're trying to do in terms of like the town

[00:59:36] as a story.

[00:59:37] But isn't that when Bobby Ray shows that he the Coca-Cola ad instead of Coca-Cola?

[00:59:43] I love that.

[00:59:46] Which in certain communities, we know what you could stand for.

[00:59:51] And that makes it funny.

[00:59:56] Yeah.

[00:59:56] When you think about it, we have multiple rape attempts, you know, a lot of violence

[01:00:02] and there's domestic violence because right now, Caroline Virgil is really being the

[01:00:09] shit out of her, unfortunately.

[01:00:11] And see, and for that, like it's horrible to watch.

[01:00:14] I understand why that is in the movie, because it's definitely paralleling Vita's own

[01:00:19] upbringing with her father and the abuse she encountered with him.

[01:00:23] Yeah.

[01:00:23] And it's like she can be, I don't want to say like a knight, but can be can relate to

[01:00:28] her.

[01:00:28] And then that's how they build their, you know, their friendship.

[01:00:30] And even though it's not the best thing to build friendship on, it definitely shows that

[01:00:34] like some issues are not gender specific or orientation specific.

[01:00:39] It happens to everybody.

[01:00:40] Yeah.

[01:00:42] Yeah, 100%.

[01:00:44] So I love that they bring a breath of fresh air to the town.

[01:00:49] We get, you know, a wonderful makeover scene with the ladies.

[01:00:55] Yes.

[01:00:56] We get they also like decides they're supposed to have like a strawberry festival and they

[01:01:01] kind of take that over to to like, up a little bit to make it more fun.

[01:01:07] And so every I love how it's like literally overnight, they're changing the theme and

[01:01:10] you're like, Okay, we have this done by tomorrow.

[01:01:14] Right?

[01:01:15] Yeah, it's so sweet.

[01:01:16] And again, I love the 60s aesthetic.

[01:01:18] So the way that they find all those old clothes that are from the 60s not only makes Noxzema

[01:01:22] like hyperventilate, but right.

[01:01:25] It's just so cute and fun to watch each of them have their little makeover and and kind

[01:01:29] of, I mean, it really is like when you come into the town, everything is drab and dreary

[01:01:35] and beige and just no life.

[01:01:37] And it's like the minute these queens come in, you see little by little these changes

[01:01:42] happening.

[01:01:43] The, you know, the experience of getting more colorful.

[01:01:47] Yeah, as they as their time in the town goes on, they bring like life back to it.

[01:01:55] Yeah, absolutely.

[01:01:57] We took it all.

[01:01:59] We brought them to our last.

[01:02:02] An endless night, ember hot and icy cold.

[01:02:07] The rage of the earth.

[01:02:09] We made this curse.

[01:02:12] Carved it in the blood on our backs.

[01:02:15] We did not see.

[01:02:16] We could not, but she did.

[01:02:19] And in the end, what will I become?

[01:02:21] Senua's Saga.

[01:02:23] Hellblade II.

[01:02:24] Play it now with Game Pass.

[01:02:26] And meanwhile, the not dead sheriff.

[01:02:31] Is on a hunt for whoever belongs to this size 12 stiletto.

[01:02:39] And so they are unknowingly being pursued by this incredibly racist bigoted.

[01:02:46] Yes.

[01:02:47] Cop, rapey cop.

[01:02:49] And so what the bulk of the movie is really just about the relationships they form with

[01:02:55] the people of the town.

[01:02:56] Yeah, which is just I love that.

[01:02:59] I love that Veda gives or Veda gives Carol Ann more confidence and like just she she

[01:03:08] breathes life back into her and you don't have to.

[01:03:13] You can stand up to Virgil, you can be your own person and you don't have to take his

[01:03:18] shit.

[01:03:19] And then Chi Chi, even though Bobby Ray is enamored, she realizes it's not.

[01:03:27] It's not the place or the time for this.

[01:03:30] Right, because she like what happens is that Vita and Naseema are like you are leading

[01:03:36] this young impressionable boy on.

[01:03:38] It's one thing if.

[01:03:41] He knows, he knows.

[01:03:42] Right.

[01:03:43] Or you have a conversation with him, but you know, he doesn't know.

[01:03:48] And that's not right.

[01:03:49] And then we find out Carol Ann's daughter, her oldest daughter, Bobby Lee is in love

[01:03:55] with him.

[01:03:56] So there's that layer because while Chi Chi is chasing him, Naseema and Vita are having

[01:04:05] well, Vita really is having conversations with Bobby Lee trying to help her because

[01:04:09] she says she has this crush.

[01:04:10] So they have no idea Chi Chi is out here throwing salt in the game, essentially.

[01:04:15] So yeah, I never clocked it that she's doing for Bobby Lee what she's trying to do for

[01:04:19] Chi Chi.

[01:04:20] Like she's helping and it's funny that you said about like how they change how Chi Chi

[01:04:27] realizes to be a little more selfless.

[01:04:29] And I think Vita learns to be a little bit less judgmental and like in everybody's

[01:04:34] business.

[01:04:35] But Naseema was just like chill the whole time.

[01:04:38] Like she did not need to change.

[01:04:39] She knew exactly who she was and stayed that way.

[01:04:41] And it was fine.

[01:04:42] Like you don't need to change perfection.

[01:04:44] You know, there you go.

[01:04:46] That's all folks.

[01:04:48] Thanks for tuning in.

[01:04:50] But I they do have this massive fight Chi Chi and and there are there's some things that

[01:04:57] you can't take back kind of thing.

[01:04:58] And I love that Naseema is very kind of neutral and just she has her little jabs here and

[01:05:05] there.

[01:05:05] But yeah, she's saying to both of them don't go there.

[01:05:08] Don't do that.

[01:05:08] Like I love her commentary.

[01:05:10] Oh, absolutely.

[01:05:11] And it starts off with a fight with all of them.

[01:05:15] But they're mostly just telling Vita that she needs to leave the fighting happening

[01:05:20] alone, which I don't necessarily agree with.

[01:05:22] But I understand why they feel that way because it's it can be very dangerous for them if

[01:05:26] they're exposed.

[01:05:27] Yeah.

[01:05:28] But then you do hear like Naseema finally tell Vita like you need to start minding your

[01:05:33] own business.

[01:05:33] You need to stop getting into other people's lives like they don't want you in it.

[01:05:37] Like just and then of course, Chi Chi just comes in with the jabs.

[01:05:42] Brilliant.

[01:05:43] And you're right.

[01:05:43] Like and then Naseema just takes a step back and she's like, OK, you guys calm down, calm

[01:05:47] down.

[01:05:47] And then go at it, go at it, go at it.

[01:05:49] And it makes for a very, very entertaining scene.

[01:05:53] And I think doesn't Vita's wig come off or something?

[01:05:57] So then it's just like, yeah.

[01:05:59] And I think it flirts with something that I don't think I don't know if it touches on

[01:06:03] it enough.

[01:06:05] I feel like Vita is secure in herself.

[01:06:07] But then they keep adding these little things like when she sees her mom at her house and

[01:06:12] she gets very hurt.

[01:06:14] And then when Chi Chi says, like, you couldn't cut it as a man, so you had to put on a dress

[01:06:19] and it really does hurt him.

[01:06:22] And then right following that, the wig comes off and he grabs his face.

[01:06:26] So I always was curious just like what what they're trying to tell us with that.

[01:06:30] And I don't know if you guys had any any insights into that or what you guys took that as.

[01:06:34] I mean, I think drag is an expression of an extension or an expression of who you are.

[01:06:40] Yeah.

[01:06:41] But you can't fully be your full self if you're hiding and running from another aspect

[01:06:47] of your life that you're not dealing with.

[01:06:49] So you can you could be in drag.

[01:06:52] You could be in fully in this life, but you can't use it as a way to hide.

[01:06:57] That's not the point of it.

[01:06:59] You know, I got chills.

[01:07:00] Yes.

[01:07:01] Seriously, that was very well said.

[01:07:03] Thank you.

[01:07:03] So it's nice to see that even a veteran like Vida, like you were saying that Chi Chi has

[01:07:11] taught herself.

[01:07:12] I think everyone that she's interacting with has taught her a lot.

[01:07:17] Even I mean, I know we joked about Noxzema not learning or not changing too much, but

[01:07:23] I think her experiences with the town does.

[01:07:28] And even with Chi Chi.

[01:07:31] She's so because she clocks everybody right away.

[01:07:33] Like she knows who everyone is.

[01:07:35] She knows how they're going to act.

[01:07:37] And she really is like the wise one of the group.

[01:07:39] And I mean, she definitely does have her own storyline, obviously, you know, with with

[01:07:44] Clara and everything.

[01:07:45] And but I feel like she was kind of like the one who was just like, like we were talking

[01:07:51] about this like, like you we were made to feel like Vida is the one in charge.

[01:07:55] But I really think it was Noxzema.

[01:07:57] I think she knew, like, she's like, I'll just let them figure it out.

[01:08:00] Like, they'll figure it out.

[01:08:03] It'll work out.

[01:08:03] And I and you know what, like in a weird way?

[01:08:07] I think that that thought process kind of tracks because I think this is a conversation

[01:08:15] that happens when we are talking about the trans community when we talk about white trans

[01:08:20] women, because you were raised as a white male.

[01:08:25] That means sometimes you're not seeing all the layers because you're at the top of privilege,

[01:08:31] essentially, as how you were raised.

[01:08:35] So when you come into the community, when you come into the community of womanhood,

[01:08:39] you do have to grapple with some of the misogyny that you unfortunately may have learned when

[01:08:46] you were being raised.

[01:08:49] And I think that is a conflict that we're seeing in some of the conversations.

[01:08:54] And the same could be said for Vida.

[01:08:57] That's the reason that Noxzema is able to like clock things so quickly is that when

[01:09:05] you are living in this world as a black person, there are so many layers, especially as a

[01:09:11] black woman, you you're at like if you're looking at a totem pole, you are perceived

[01:09:17] as at the bottom, which means that also that you are seeing so much more.

[01:09:20] Your lens is just so much more open.

[01:09:23] And I think that's why Noxzema kind of is like a great representation to being able

[01:09:28] to see that she is not coming in with her.

[01:09:33] She has to walk a different road.

[01:09:36] I mean, I feel like you said, like, she sees everything and not even to be funny, but like

[01:09:41] even the picture you have behind you, it focuses on her eyes and it's like she sees

[01:09:45] everything.

[01:09:46] But and then so the way she comes up.

[01:09:50] Right.

[01:09:50] Well, and to expand upon that, Noxzema also listens.

[01:09:55] That's why she's able to like build that friendship with Clara is because she just

[01:10:02] sits and listens.

[01:10:03] Right.

[01:10:03] It doesn't pressure her to do anything.

[01:10:05] She doesn't make that snap judgment that like, oh, she can't hear anything.

[01:10:10] She's old.

[01:10:10] She's senile.

[01:10:11] Like she just wants to be present for Clara.

[01:10:15] Right.

[01:10:17] And yeah, and I feel like Vida is very stubborn and she's very headstrong and she's

[01:10:24] just like, I know what's best for everybody.

[01:10:27] And I think that's why Chi-Chi makes such a good foil to her because it's just like

[01:10:32] you can't predict anything I'm going to do.

[01:10:35] You can sit there and think, you know me, but I'm going to zig when you're going to

[01:10:37] zag and it's going to annoy you.

[01:10:40] Which is real life.

[01:10:41] What happened to Patrick?

[01:10:42] I know.

[01:10:44] Literally.

[01:10:45] Oh my God.

[01:10:47] And then so that's when obviously she doesn't listen to them Vida and decides to just go

[01:10:51] and break up the fight.

[01:10:52] Thankfully, I would, I think we all would have done the same thing and you can go ahead

[01:10:57] and describe it.

[01:10:57] It's just so good.

[01:10:58] It's so good.

[01:10:59] The fight scene?

[01:11:01] Well, no, when he goes, when Patrick Swayze walks in and says, you know, I gather you

[01:11:06] like hitting ladies and Virgil responds very grossly.

[01:11:09] Some ladies need to get hit.

[01:11:11] And then of course, Patrick Swayze responds.

[01:11:13] Well, some men need to be hit back and just wax them across the face.

[01:11:18] I love Nagdema and Chi-Chi outside with Caroline and saying this like looking.

[01:11:25] And also like she really worked out a lot.

[01:11:32] Like really?

[01:11:33] I don't think Tybo was out yet, but.

[01:11:36] That Billy Banks, whatever his name is.

[01:11:44] And that's like slowly building Caroline's confidence that like, yes, you don't need

[01:11:51] to stick with this man that just abuses you and controls you in every little aspect of

[01:11:57] your life.

[01:11:58] Right?

[01:11:58] And so as they're nearing the conclusion of their stay in the town, it's now the Strawberry

[01:12:06] Festival and they're out.

[01:12:09] Everyone's in red, just having the best time.

[01:12:12] I die for Caroline's red bride outfit.

[01:12:19] Oh my God.

[01:12:21] It is.

[01:12:23] So perfect on so many levels.

[01:12:26] Yes.

[01:12:27] It's beautiful, but it's also giving Beetlejuice.

[01:12:30] Yeah, Lydia.

[01:12:33] And then it's really fun.

[01:12:34] Yeah.

[01:12:35] Yeah.

[01:12:36] So I love it.

[01:12:37] I would have preferred pink, but that's just the Strawberry Festival.

[01:12:41] So the sheriff comes and says basically spills the secret to everyone like these boys in dresses,

[01:12:46] quote unquote.

[01:12:48] And then obviously that's when the wonderful Caroline comes in that iconic red ball gown,

[01:12:53] a wedding dress, sorry, veil.

[01:12:55] And literally just stands up and says, I'm a drag queen.

[01:12:58] Yeah.

[01:12:59] And then everyone's like, I am a drag queen.

[01:13:02] Oh, I'm getting chills right now.

[01:13:04] Just so cute.

[01:13:07] And it's kind of like dead poet society at the end when they're like, oh, captain, my

[01:13:11] captain, and they all just jump up to like on behalf of him.

[01:13:15] Yeah.

[01:13:15] It just it shows that there's humanity and hope and that not.

[01:13:21] It's unfortunate that there's so many horrid people, but there are more decent people out

[01:13:27] in this world.

[01:13:28] I think we don't always remember that.

[01:13:31] And for the decent people out in the world, you know, be brave.

[01:13:35] Don't be don't be scared because like then you let the very small population of just

[01:13:43] mean, horrible people represent everybody.

[01:13:46] And that's not the case.

[01:13:48] I think we are better as humans than we like to or that we see.

[01:13:53] You know, and I think that scene does a great job of showcasing that.

[01:13:56] And again, like as a young kid who was very much aware that I was different but didn't

[01:14:01] know really how to ever think about vocalizing it or whatever to see these people be accepted

[01:14:08] and not only accepted, but defended, be defended by these people and say, you know, like they're

[01:14:14] one of us.

[01:14:15] We love them just as much as when we thought they were women.

[01:14:19] And it's very heartwarming.

[01:14:22] And again, it's because it could just be like, you know, yeah, we accept you.

[01:14:25] But it was I think I like this movie for taking it further where it's like, we're not only

[01:14:29] accepting you, but we're going to protect you and we're going to stand up for you and

[01:14:33] we're going to speak up on your behalf.

[01:14:35] And again, again, for the time it was released, like it's just so it's so brilliant and it's

[01:14:41] so of the time now and I wish like I feel like more people should check this movie out

[01:14:45] because I do think it is very important.

[01:14:48] And like, as you said, it's very reflective of like there are decent people out there

[01:14:52] and maybe spend more time showcasing that.

[01:14:54] Yeah.

[01:14:55] But yeah.

[01:14:56] And I also love that it feels like she now has to explain herself to Carol Anne and Carol

[01:15:03] Anne kind of just cuts her off.

[01:15:04] She's like Adam's apple.

[01:15:06] Ladies don't have Adam's apples like I've known all along.

[01:15:09] Right.

[01:15:10] And I love you no matter who you are because of what you've done for me.

[01:15:15] Right.

[01:15:16] So I love that about it, too.

[01:15:18] It didn't matter from the beginning.

[01:15:21] Right.

[01:15:21] Who she was.

[01:15:22] It was her character that Carol Anne fell in.

[01:15:27] And super sweet.

[01:15:30] One thing that now I'm going to do something petty after we just go by out the hell out

[01:15:35] of the end of that.

[01:15:36] But when they went.

[01:15:38] The world is perfect.

[01:15:39] Thank you so much.

[01:15:41] Life and love.

[01:15:43] Well, that is too long.

[01:15:45] We did it.

[01:15:46] Yeah, we did it.

[01:15:47] We did it.

[01:15:49] Let's go to some extras that we missed.

[01:15:52] But here's my question.

[01:15:54] When they were doing when they found all the vintage clothes and Nogzima was like, oh,

[01:15:59] no, that's mine.

[01:16:01] And what world were these vintage clothes big enough for Nogzima?

[01:16:06] You're thinking too hard.

[01:16:07] I'm not.

[01:16:09] Because what do you do in the 60s?

[01:16:13] The very boxy shift dress was very in.

[01:16:17] So I'm sure there were a couple of pieces as long as her shoulders fit.

[01:16:21] What does she wear from that box other than the French?

[01:16:25] I feel like it was just the fringe outfit.

[01:16:26] Yeah.

[01:16:28] Well, if you want, it doesn't really fit her that well.

[01:16:30] Like, it's very short.

[01:16:31] I'm just gonna say, like, Wesley's nice and this is like a full on daddy.

[01:16:35] Like his body is insane.

[01:16:36] Yeah.

[01:16:37] So like, I think it's I mean, I don't think it fits him very well.

[01:16:41] And I think that may be intentional because like the skirt is like this big.

[01:16:44] And then like, as you said, he's like this.

[01:16:49] It's so funny.

[01:16:50] It was one of those situations where he was like, I'm gonna make it work.

[01:16:53] But speaking of which, of the costume, the costume designer, I'm not sure if it's

[01:16:58] Speaking of which, of the costume, the costume designer, Marlene Stewart said that she had the

[01:17:04] leads wardrobes, including shoes and corsets all custom made for all of them, which is wonderful.

[01:17:12] And they all spent time in local drag scene researching their roles and were given a

[01:17:18] drag mentor to work with in developing their characters.

[01:17:23] And there's a lot of interviews that talked about, again, just how committed

[01:17:26] every one of them were to taking this seriously and how welcoming and open they were to the

[01:17:34] drag community.

[01:17:35] Yeah, that warms my heart.

[01:17:37] I just I would love I would have loved to have just figured out like what made each

[01:17:42] of them sign on?

[01:17:43] Like, what?

[01:17:44] What was Wesley Snipes thinking of like, just coming off of was Blade before this or after?

[01:17:50] After.

[01:17:51] Oh, after.

[01:17:52] But even before that all his action movies and everything for him to like,

[01:17:55] and even his agent to his public publicist, his manager, like, and they were all like,

[01:18:00] yes, like I just I want I would have loved to have seen like his thought process as to why he

[01:18:04] wanted to do this.

[01:18:05] Yeah, I think it's it's just fascinating to me.

[01:18:08] Yeah.

[01:18:10] I think he's always up for a challenge that like, I think this would have put him in front of new

[01:18:17] audiences too, because absolutely.

[01:18:20] He's an action star.

[01:18:22] But like, you know, we joke about being black famous or, you know, Black Hollywood, essentially,

[01:18:28] this is a more of a

[01:18:31] you think like a broader audience,

[01:18:32] broader audience and potential like Oscar bait.

[01:18:35] I'm not gonna lie in the 90s and 2000s.

[01:18:38] A lot of actors knew that if they portrayed a gay character,

[01:18:42] yes, that it potentially would have gotten them like nominations for awards and stuff like that.

[01:18:48] I'm not saying he's that shallow, but I'm just you know, that probably

[01:18:52] even then he could have phoned it in and then been like, I want to do a serious movie.

[01:18:56] Yeah, if you're gonna do it, if that's why you think you know, you could win an Oscar.

[01:19:00] Yeah.

[01:19:00] And do like a Brokeback Mountain or Philadelphia type of story.

[01:19:04] Yeah, like this is like, honestly, not only just because it's like, obviously,

[01:19:08] this would be classified as an LGBTQ movie.

[01:19:12] But it's also just a funny comedy point blank, like, it's just funny.

[01:19:15] And I feel like I don't know, I feel like it's probably the funniest movie any of these

[01:19:21] actors.

[01:19:22] For sure.

[01:19:23] And he might it may have been like, it's, it's action or physicality in a different way.

[01:19:31] Like it was very physical, but not in an action star.

[01:19:36] I'm a vampire way or a white man can't jump like sports kind of way.

[01:19:41] It's a very different type of physicality.

[01:19:44] And like, just sitting in wardrobe for the amount of time that they had to was extensive.

[01:19:51] And they even said that when they completed the film, they burned all their costumes,

[01:19:57] their wigs, and the makeup because it took so long each morning to become women.

[01:20:03] Yeah, join the fucking club.

[01:20:04] I was just gonna say, right?

[01:20:08] Oh, really quick.

[01:20:09] Just a question for both of you.

[01:20:10] Was Noxzema's wig in the strawberry social giving peg Bundy?

[01:20:14] Yes.

[01:20:16] Okay.

[01:20:17] Oh, we well, we missed the part where we we fast forward to what we believe a year later.

[01:20:24] Yeah, they are at the the huge the Miss USA drag.

[01:20:30] I can't remember what it's called.

[01:20:31] Drag Queen.

[01:20:32] They're awesome awards.

[01:20:33] Yes.

[01:20:34] And this is where Chi Chi wins.

[01:20:36] She looks stunning.

[01:20:38] And Julie, Julie Noumar, you know, is in she's gives the award.

[01:20:43] So that is pretty cool.

[01:20:45] And I think that they had to reach out to her to use her name in the title and she had to be

[01:20:52] convinced of it.

[01:20:54] But then they worked hard to get her to be in the end, which was not like they didn't film that in

[01:21:01] California.

[01:21:02] I believe it was like some mansion in New Jersey.

[01:21:05] Wow.

[01:21:06] It's the old Westbury Gardens.

[01:21:10] I mean, enough can't be said by how good Chi Chi looks in this scene.

[01:21:14] No.

[01:21:14] Incredible.

[01:21:16] Stunning and her hair just everything.

[01:21:18] Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous.

[01:21:20] I mean, Noxzema, I appreciate it.

[01:21:23] I love it.

[01:21:25] Look, Wesley Snipes is not a pretty woman.

[01:21:27] It is what it is.

[01:21:28] No, no, I'm talking about the outfit.

[01:21:30] It's there.

[01:21:32] It's giving Lion King.

[01:21:33] It is.

[01:21:34] And then hers is giving Alice in Wonderland.

[01:21:36] So it's perfect.

[01:21:37] All doing Disney.

[01:21:38] Yes, yes.

[01:21:39] Feathers and flowers.

[01:21:41] I just noticed that her cowl thing is supposed to be a rose.

[01:21:45] I just picked that right now.

[01:21:47] Well, and then there's like leaves behind them.

[01:21:50] Yeah.

[01:21:51] Maybe there was a theme.

[01:21:52] Yeah.

[01:21:52] Oh yeah, I think they're all flowers.

[01:21:54] Chi Chi looks like her outfit looks like Tinkerbell's outfit a little bit like the top of it.

[01:21:59] Maybe like a tulip or something.

[01:22:01] Yeah.

[01:22:03] At the bottom, it's purple, I believe.

[01:22:04] Like the inside.

[01:22:04] Oh, an orchid.

[01:22:06] That's what I was thinking.

[01:22:08] I think so.

[01:22:09] So then what is Noxzema?

[01:22:10] A sunflower?

[01:22:12] Something.

[01:22:13] Oh, a dandelion maybe.

[01:22:15] Or a chrysanthemum.

[01:22:17] Something like that.

[01:22:18] We'll just keep naming flowers till something says.

[01:22:20] Yeah, a chrysanthemum.

[01:22:21] A marigold.

[01:22:21] That's how I directly name you guys.

[01:22:24] Your chrysanthemum?

[01:22:27] Well, you know how we were talking about like the title was kind of ridiculous.

[01:22:32] Advertising companies felt the same way.

[01:22:34] And they wanted to change the title to a shorter Ladies Night or She's a Lady.

[01:22:39] But the movie managed to keep the original title,

[01:22:42] which I love that those names weren't used because those two names suck.

[01:22:46] And as much as To Wong Fu is weird, fine.

[01:22:52] Ladies Night and She's a Lady just kind of it feels diminishing.

[01:22:56] Like yeah.

[01:22:56] I mean, I'm surprised they didn't suggest Dude Looks Like a Lady.

[01:22:59] Like, right?

[01:23:01] Yeah.

[01:23:01] I feel like it could have totally gone Tootsie, you know?

[01:23:05] Yeah.

[01:23:06] Yeah.

[01:23:07] I mean, again, like, I love this movie so much.

[01:23:10] And I appreciate the title.

[01:23:11] I'm not gonna lie and say like, if I were back in the marketing team back then,

[01:23:14] I probably would have said the same thing.

[01:23:15] Like maybe we should think of a different name.

[01:23:17] Just maybe.

[01:23:18] Right.

[01:23:19] But then again, it's like what on earth would you call this movie?

[01:23:22] It's like there's-

[01:23:23] What about Drag Princess?

[01:23:25] There you go.

[01:23:26] Queens of Nebraska.

[01:23:27] They're in a car and there's drag.

[01:23:29] What can you do?

[01:23:30] There's a correlation there.

[01:23:31] Right.

[01:23:32] Yeah.

[01:23:33] What about like Fast and Furious?

[01:23:35] I wouldn't be surprised.

[01:23:37] I would not be surprised at this point.

[01:23:39] Going back to they did ask Julie Newmar for permission,

[01:23:43] but they did not ask professional golfer Chi-Chi Rodriguez for permission.

[01:23:48] And they sued the production company and distributor over the use of his name in the film.

[01:23:55] And they eventually settled for undisclosed terms.

[01:23:59] Bro.

[01:24:00] Come on.

[01:24:01] Okay.

[01:24:02] But at that time, like the homophobia is skyrocketing.

[01:24:08] Right.

[01:24:08] I'm sure he's pissed.

[01:24:09] Now here's the real question.

[01:24:13] Was it an accident?

[01:24:14] They just randomly picked a name because-

[01:24:16] Oh no.

[01:24:17] Absolutely.

[01:24:17] Or did somebody hate him?

[01:24:20] Oh, I don't know if they hated him.

[01:24:21] I think they did it because-

[01:24:23] Okay.

[01:24:23] I'm going to be frank.

[01:24:24] I didn't even know Chi-Chi Rodriguez was a real person.

[01:24:26] Me either.

[01:24:26] So you both said that.

[01:24:28] Because sports.

[01:24:30] Yeah.

[01:24:32] Why would a drag queen name themselves after a professional golfer?

[01:24:36] Makes no sense.

[01:24:37] And not make it more funny.

[01:24:40] Yeah.

[01:24:41] Right.

[01:24:42] But her name is just-

[01:24:43] But it is perfect for this.

[01:24:44] It is.

[01:24:46] There's nothing else she would be named.

[01:24:47] Yeah.

[01:24:48] But yeah, that is strange.

[01:24:51] I don't know.

[01:24:51] I feel like, and then obviously Noxzema Jackson when she says she's Jessie's daughter.

[01:24:55] Like, there he is.

[01:24:58] So good.

[01:25:00] Ah, time lapse.

[01:25:02] If you need another reason to fucking hate McDonald's, a scene involving the drag trio

[01:25:09] dining at a McDonald's was scrapped after the company told producers

[01:25:13] they did not want to be associated with drag and with drag queen culture.

[01:25:20] And Coca-Cola agreed to product placement and a billboard for the soda company is featured

[01:25:25] in that prominent scene.

[01:25:26] So Coca-Cola, semi good because I think they're still trying to kill us with their sugar.

[01:25:32] But and also like, I'm not even gonna get into it.

[01:25:36] But McDonald's, you suck.

[01:25:38] Love, Danielle.

[01:25:39] They weren't McLovin' it.

[01:25:42] No.

[01:25:44] That's all folks.

[01:25:46] And the writer Douglas Carter Bean originally envisioned the script as a stage play,

[01:25:52] but changed his mind when he realized putting a car on stage might not work.

[01:25:57] Good call.

[01:25:59] He was inspired by an anti-gay propaganda film called The Gay Agenda.

[01:26:05] You know, honestly, though, I could see this being adapted into a Broadway musical.

[01:26:09] It was.

[01:26:11] Oh, it was?

[01:26:12] It sure was.

[01:26:14] That's why I think this is hilarious because I'm like, you just did it anyway.

[01:26:17] You don't have a musical.

[01:26:19] Yeah, there was a musical.

[01:26:21] So question for both of you, if this movie were made today,

[01:26:26] and if you'd have to take the same thing like action stars or

[01:26:29] traditionally very macho movie stars of today, like who would you who would you cast as these

[01:26:34] characters?

[01:26:35] Oh, I would love to see Tom Holland as Chi-Chi Rod- like a Chi-Chi Rodriguez character.

[01:26:41] He would be so good.

[01:26:42] Like he's already showed us when he did Lip Sync Battle.

[01:26:46] Oh right, that's true.

[01:26:48] He's not afraid to go into that bag whatsoever.

[01:26:51] And I love that about him.

[01:26:53] Anthony Mackie, I could see.

[01:26:55] Oh my gosh, that is brilliant.

[01:26:59] Like I think he would do fabulous.

[01:27:02] Yes.

[01:27:03] In that role.

[01:27:04] I think I agree.

[01:27:05] Anthony Mackie is a solid choice.

[01:27:09] I think even Don Cheadle would be pretty funny also.

[01:27:12] I think they're too old now.

[01:27:13] Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[01:27:15] I was going to say Jordan Fisher.

[01:27:17] I really like him and he's a great singer.

[01:27:19] I love Jordan Fisher so much.

[01:27:22] Maybe like Glenn Powell or-

[01:27:24] Yes.

[01:27:25] Or I was going to say Zac Efron.

[01:27:27] Maybe not now that he fucked up his face, but-

[01:27:29] Let's not talk about it because it's-

[01:27:30] Poor baby.

[01:27:32] It's so depressing.

[01:27:33] But I could see like Zac in the-

[01:27:36] Oh yeah, as Vida for sure.

[01:27:38] What about the guy from Euphoria?

[01:27:42] He's so tall.

[01:27:43] I don't like him.

[01:27:44] Oh my God.

[01:27:46] Geordie.

[01:27:47] Jacob Velourdi.

[01:27:48] Jacob Velourdi.

[01:27:49] I was making up names.

[01:27:52] Geordie Velourdi.

[01:27:53] Geordie.

[01:27:57] I think-

[01:27:58] You know who would be really funny?

[01:27:59] I don't know as who, but Max Greenfield Schmidt from New Girl.

[01:28:02] Yes.

[01:28:03] Can he be the new John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt?

[01:28:06] Yes.

[01:28:08] I didn't even plan that.

[01:28:10] He would be-

[01:28:12] That would be a perfect role for him.

[01:28:16] Yeah.

[01:28:16] Who would be Carol Ann?

[01:28:19] Florence Pugh for-

[01:28:21] My heart.

[01:28:22] You love her?

[01:28:23] I love her so much.

[01:28:24] She's so good.

[01:28:25] Or like, or is she too young?

[01:28:27] Maybe she's too young.

[01:28:28] I was thinking of like a Lily James.

[01:28:32] Is that her name?

[01:28:34] Yeah, Cinderella.

[01:28:35] I would have Blythe Danner come back but play Clara's role now because she's older.

[01:28:40] Oh, that would be cool.

[01:28:41] I like that too.

[01:28:42] That'd be very sweet.

[01:28:43] But I would have-

[01:28:44] Oh, but see, I want June Squibb.

[01:28:46] Oh, you know who I-

[01:28:47] Okay, I'm going to be completely honest.

[01:28:48] You know who I would pick as Vita?

[01:28:49] And I know you both are going to go, ick.

[01:28:51] But I feel like Channing Tatum would be really funny.

[01:28:55] Yeah.

[01:28:56] I don't think that's ick.

[01:28:58] As long as you didn't say Justin Timberlake.

[01:29:01] Ew, bye.

[01:29:03] Bye, bye, bye.

[01:29:04] Exactly.

[01:29:06] I feel like Channing Tatum has already shown he's ready to commit to whatever is thrown his way.

[01:29:12] Like when he came out as-

[01:29:16] Beyonce?

[01:29:18] No, while I can't think of-

[01:29:20] My brain is shutting down.

[01:29:23] And this is the end when he comes out as the guy all dressed in leather.

[01:29:28] What do you-

[01:29:29] Oh yeah, in the jockstrap and is like just full on-

[01:29:32] Like humping Danny.

[01:29:33] Yeah.

[01:29:35] I'm like, I will watch this man in anything because he is fully committed to whatever role,

[01:29:41] no matter how small.

[01:29:42] The Gimp.

[01:29:43] For sure.

[01:29:43] That's what he was.

[01:29:45] The Gimp.

[01:29:47] You know, Anthony Mackie, what a brilliant choice.

[01:29:50] That's so good.

[01:29:50] That's a good one.

[01:29:52] Well, the script found its way to Mitch Kahn,

[01:29:54] then a development executive at Amblin Entertainment.

[01:29:59] Kahn passed the script along to his boss, Steven Spielberg, who loved it.

[01:30:03] Spielberg had his friend Robin Williams do a humorous cold reading of the script

[01:30:08] while on a plane which mesmerized the director.

[01:30:11] So I love that he was a part of it from Gimp.

[01:30:16] And also the directors gave birth to her first child on the last night of filming.

[01:30:24] Noah is listed in the crew credits as best baby.

[01:30:28] Oh my God.

[01:30:30] Which is super adorable.

[01:30:32] Before we get into our readings, rewind, Zach, why don't you tell everybody

[01:30:36] where they can find you on social?

[01:30:38] You guys can find me on Instagram at The Mighty Zach or so have you seen that?

[01:30:42] And on TikTok at Zachy Quacky Tacky.

[01:30:46] And as always, you can find us at NoMoreLateFees on Instagram,

[01:30:51] Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube and Threads.

[01:30:54] And let's get into our present day readings.

[01:30:56] We're going to start with you, Zach.

[01:30:58] I would buy it and force all my friends and family to watch it

[01:31:03] every single day for the rest of eternity.

[01:31:07] I would buy it as well.

[01:31:09] Jackie?

[01:31:10] Same.

[01:31:12] Oh, and makes our 2020 pick.

[01:31:16] Nice.

[01:31:17] Woohoo!

[01:31:18] Yay!

[01:31:20] I love it when that happens.

[01:31:23] Oh, I'm sorry.

[01:31:23] I forgot my trademark.

[01:31:24] Yasss!

[01:31:28] And if you have feedback for us and want to call in, dial 909601-NMLF, 909601-6653.

[01:31:40] Let us know who you would cast in a modern day retelling of To Wong Fu,

[01:31:45] Thanks for Everything, Julie Neumar.

[01:31:47] Or why don't you share what a better title for this movie would have been?

[01:31:53] And you can be featured on a future episode.

[01:31:56] And if you want a cute looking little fidget that you can keep on you,

[01:32:04] it clicks, it spins.

[01:32:06] It's fantastic.

[01:32:07] I just gave my sister one for her birthday and she was ecstatic.

[01:32:12] Used it nonstop.

[01:32:14] Head on over to ConquerRing.com.

[01:32:17] It will be in the show notes as well.

[01:32:19] Use the promo code Jackie10 for 10% off your first purchase.

[01:32:24] And join us next week as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Dodgeball.

[01:32:28] Plus come back later this week as we rank our favorite movies featuring drag queens with Zach.

[01:32:35] Super excited.

[01:32:37] And Zach, again, thank you so much for being here.

[01:32:41] Of course.

[01:32:42] Thank you guys so much.

[01:32:43] So I'll just stay here until you guys are ready for the next movie.

[01:32:45] Get back in your cage.

[01:32:47] Just wait right here.

[01:32:49] And once we do the wedding planner, we'll be back.

[01:32:54] Oh God, that'll be a long episode.

[01:33:00] And as always, be kind and rewind.

[01:33:05] We did it.