"'BIRDCAGE/PRISCILLA/TO WONG FOO' - WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE?"

[ChgoTheatreGuy]

Posted: 3/25/18 at 3:22pm

Of three films done in the 1990s about drag queens: "The Birdcage", "The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" and "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar", which one is your favorite?  I personally detest "The Birdcage", because of too much stereotypical behavior in the film, "Priscilla" would be my favorite and "To Wong Foo" in the middle...

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 3/26/18 at 12:42pm

Of the three I'd say Priscilla (on film) has aged the best. They are human beings with real stakes despite the comedy.

I enjoy La Cage Aux Folles on stage but The Birdcage's broad farce (and lack of heart) can be trying on screen.

To Wong Foo always felt off to me. It brings up issues of domestic abuse and rape, as Priscilla did, but doesn't know what to do with them. The relationships between the drag queens and the townsfolk rang hollow to me as well. If they put this on stage they'll have to put some more thought into the characters inner lives.

[ChgoTheatreGuy]

Posted: 3/26/18 at 5:28pm

I agree with you 100%.  The small town folk wouldn't necessarity be so open and interested in "those" people, it just didn't seem to ring very honestly to me.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 3/26/18 at 5:50pm

Happy to hear your opinions on To Wong Foo and the townsfolk.  Years ago when I first saw it I mentioned to many people that it was unrealistic for most of the people in that small town to welcome the queens with loving arms.  I was told I was being negative.  I would say Priscilla is my favorite, then To Wong Foo and then Birdcage.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 3/27/18 at 2:57pm

They're each enjoyable but Priscilla is the best movie of the three.  Of course the original La Cage aux Folles is better than all of them (the French movie, not the musical, I hasten to add, as I've confused some on bww when citing to it in the past).  

[ChgoTheatreGuy]

Posted: 3/27/18 at 8:04pm

I remember seeing "Priscilla" for the first time with a sold out crowd at the Cannes Film Festival.  The only person to show up was the director Stephan Elliot, and he brought with him the three drag queens that inspired the film.  No one really understood why they were there, but there were plenty of laughs to be had.  The only thing that was sad was having to wait the five months for the film to open in the US...

 

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/27/18 at 9:00pm

To Wong Foo is my favorite.