Myra Breckinridge (1970)
Budding cult film finally gets the DVD treatment
Starring: Raquel Welch, John Huston, Mae West, Rex Reed, Roger Herren, Farrah Fawcett
Director: Michael Sarne
Running Time: 94 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: R
Comedy, Musical
On DVD Back in 1970, a few producers at 20th Century Fox saw an opportunity to turn Gore Vidal's controversial best-selling novel, Myra Breckinridge, into a hit film. However, they had no idea they would be opening a Pandora's box of starlet wars and studio in-fighting. Despite being released in a fairly liberal era, the film generated much controversy - and quickly bombed in theaters worldwide. However, the film has developed a considerable cult following, especially among the gay community.
The plot, if you can call it that, is fairly straightforward: A gay film critic from New York named Myron Breckinridge (Rex Reed) apparently goes to Denmark to change sex, and arrives in Hollywood as the stunningly beautiful Myra Breckinridge (Raquel Welch). Her plan is simple: To dupe her washed-up movie star uncle Buck Loner (John Huston) out of half of his sham dramatic academy in Westwood. She explains to Uncle Buck that Myron was killed in a 'car accident', and since Myron's mother is Buck Loner's sister, she claims via a will that she's entitled to half of his estate. After Buck asks for the will, Myra threatens legal action. In order to calm her down and bide time, Buck offers her a position teaching posture and empathy classes at the academy. He then calls his attorney to investigate her background.
However, Myra's second and more ambitious plan is 'The destruction of the last vestigial traces of traditional manhood', so that she may 'realign the sexes' - - - thus saving humanity from the population explosion. As he/she begins teaching classes, she targets the best-looking stud on campus, a dim-witted bumpkin named Rusty Godowsky (Roger Herren). She also notes he's going steady with an airhead actress named Mary Ann Pringle (Farrah Fawcett). She befriends Mary Ann, who tells Myra that Rusty has a bad back due to a football injury. She conjures up a plan to snare her macho boyfriend - which leads up to the film's notorious climax. After cornering him in the school's infirmary, she manages to tie him down to an exam table, and proceeds to rape him with a strap-on dildo.
Unfortunately, between Myra's one-note legal feud between Buck, and her seduction of Rusty and Mary Ann - this forms the basis of most of the 'drama' in the film. The editing job seems to have foiled the storyline too much. In the interim, there are a lot of nonsequitor-type shots and scenes which compromise the story. Fans of Mae West will no doubt enjoy her tongue-in-cheek portrayal of Leticia Van Allen - the lascivious, high-powered talent agent who keeps looking for younger studs to fill her always-brimming stable.
If this film belongs to anyone - it is Raquel Welch. Not only was she in her prime, she also dons a spectacular array of costumes - ranging from a white sun dress in the opening titles, to the eye-popping Old Glory bathing suit she reveals during the rape scene. Despite a compromised storyline, Ms. Welch's determination and passion for the role is obvious in every scene.
Myra Breckinridge is no doubt one of those 'bad' films. However, it is also perhaps one of the more underrated and daring satires on Hollywood and American values.
DVD Extras: Side A contains the 'Special Edition' - however there's not much special about it, apart from some very minor editing. Director Michael Sarne's commentary is accessible via an alternate audio track.
Side B contains an audio track of Raquel Welch's commentary. Side B also contains two theatrical trailers, a 10-second TV teaser, and also a previously aired 20-minute documentary about the making of the film (from AMC Channel's 'Backstory' series).
Both sides contain English and Spanish versions (dubbed and subtitle options for both languages).
It's Got: Gender-bending camp value
It Needs: More plot
Alternatives: The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Victor/Victoria
Summary: This is a must-see for fans of bad/trash films; otherwise please be in a very inebriated, cynical, or kinky mood.
Review by Brad Dunn
External Links
Myra Breckinridge at the IMDB
