Myra Breckinridge (1970) Queer Film C-

DIRECTOR: Michael Sarne

Deranged gay – trans film critic Myron Breckinridge (played by gay film critic Rex Reed) undergoes gender‑affirming surgery in Europe and returns to California as the eponymous super-hot Myra (now played by Raquel Welch, who is the best thing in this flawed movie that has its moments).

AND DON’T YOU EVER FORGET IT, YOU MOTHERFUCKERS, AS THE CHILDREN SAY NOWADAYS
Myra (Raquel Welch) gives herself a pep talk in the mirror of the acting studio’s ladies’ room

Because Myron/Myra is convinced that the Hollywood of the 1930s and ’40s was responsible for the “false binary of man/woman,” he/she sets out to destroy the industry from the inside out by claiming to be his/her own widow and manipulating his/her uncle Buck (John Huston) into giving him/her a position at his acting studio.
A failed adaptation of Gore Vidal’s novel – directed, if that is the right word, by Michael Sarne – the film takes Vidal’s gender‑bending satire and, for the most part, mangles it, although the book was hardly a sacred text to begin with.
With an unfortunate Mae West in a cameo as talent scout Leticia Van Allen, and a pre-fame Farah Fawcett making her movie debut.
In the end, although Myra does not scandalize or destroy patriarchy, Welch’s glamorous, tongue-in-cheek comedic performance is fully committed to the original novel’s satire, including a female-on-male rape scene, which she tackles with gusto.
Special mention to costume designer Theodora Van Runkle (Bonnie and Clyde, The Godfather Part II, Peggy Sue Got Married), who created several iconic looks for Welch, including her memorable stars-and-stripes outfit, which remains a staple of 1970s pop culture.

Produced by 20th Century Fox (TCF).

Music by John Phillips of The Mamas and the Papas

A monumental critical and financial disaster on its release in the summer of 1970, the movie has now developed somewhat of a cult following.

Now streaming on YOUTUBE and on the Internet Archive @archive.org

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https://thebrownees.net/88-queer-films-made-under-the-hays-code-1934-1968/

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