To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar

After tying for first place in New York Drag Queen Of The Year, queens Vida Boheme (Patrick Swayze, in a role I consider to be one of his best) and Noxeema Jackson (Wesley Snipes) set off on a road trip across the United States to claim their places at the Nationals in Los Angeles. They’re joined by novice Chi-Chi Rodriguez (John Leguizamo), one of the losers of the New York competition, who they adopt as their protégé. Of course, it’s never that straightforward, and various obstacles keep blocking their path — will they reach L.A. in time?

To Wong Foo is a classic and a delight to watch, even when it covers more difficult topics, and well deserves its place in our LGBTQ+ History Month season. The central cast are all perfect in their roles, and there’s cameos from everyone from RuPaul to Robin Williams to Julie Newmar herself. It’s a film I adore, one I can’t recommend enough, and like many comedies, best watched with a crowd on the big screen!

Cerys Bardsley