Show notes
This is a Two-Part Episode!
Part Two featuring an interview with RICHERT EASLEY from the cast of Outrageous! will air starting Saturday, December 13th!
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It's Part Three of the FRIDAY THE 13TH THE SERIES SPECTACULAR, and this time we are shining a spotlight on RICHARD BENNER, screenwriter of "And Now the News" and writer/director of the lost queer classic masterpiece OUTRAGEOUS! (1977).
In this delightful, bittersweet tale of unlikely buddies and chosen family, Robin Tuner, played by master of female impersonation CRAIG RUSSELL, is a Toronto hairdresser who dreams of someday performing in drag. One day, his mentally ill friend Liza escapes a mental hospital and shows up at his door. Can an out-of-work drag queen and a schizophrenic pregnant woman make it in a world that considers them both "less-than"?
Despite critical and box office success and being a massive hit at the Cannes Film Festival, Outrageous has sadly faded from public memory.
But Maya, Trae and Patrick are here to show you why it deserves rediscovering.
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Here's where to find Richard Benner's works online.
OUTRAGEOUS! on Tubi.
TOO OUTRAGEOUS! on YouTube.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEMINI on YouTube.
TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE - "The Swap" on Dailymotion.
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OUTRAGEOUS! was written & directed by Richard Benner and stars Craig Russell, Hollis McClaren, Richert Easley, Allan Moyle, Helen Shaver and David McIlwraith
Takeaways:
- In this episode, we dive deep into the film 'Outrageous' and share our thoughts on its unique portrayal of friendship and mental illness, revealing how it reflects a different era of drag culture.
- We discuss the technical struggles we faced during recording, highlighting how sometimes, bad audio is better than no audio, and we thank our listeners for their patience and support.
- The episode is split into two parts, allowing us to explore the film in greater detail and even feature a guest appearance by actor Richert Easley, who brings firsthand insights into the film's production.
- We touch on the film's low-budget origins and how its guerrilla-style filmmaking adds a raw authenticity that resonates with audiences, making it a charming piece of queer cinema.
- The dynamic between the main characters, Liza and Robin, serves as a powerful metaphor for found families and the importance of acceptance in relationships, especially in the LGBTQ+ community.
- Lastly, we reflect on how 'Outrageous' has influenced contemporary queer films and the ways it has been overlooked in discussions about LGBTQ+ cinema history.
Mentioned in this episode:
Network Plug with music
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