Outrageous!

For other uses, seeOutrageous (disambiguation).

Outrageous!
Promotional poster
Directed by	Richard Benner
Written by	Richard Benner
Based on	"Making It" byMargaret Gibson
Produced by	Bill Marshall Peter O'Brian Henk Van der Kolk
Starring	Craig Russell Hollis McLaren Richert Easley
Cinematography	James B. Kelly
Edited by	George Appleby
Music by	Paul Hoffert With Original Songs byBrenda Hoffert Paul Hoffert
Distributed by	Cinema 5 Distributing
Release date	1977(1977)
Running time	100 minutes
Country	Canada
Language	English
Budget	$165,000

Outrageous!is a 1977 Canadian comedy-drama film written and directed byRichard Benner.The film starsCraig Russellasfemale impersonatorRobin Turner, andHollis McLarenas Turner'sschizophrenicroommate Liza Conners. The plot begins in Toronto, with later scenes in New York City.

The film is based on "Making It", a short story by writerMargaret Gibsonfrom her 1976 collectionThe Butterfly Ward;Russell and Gibson were roommates in real life.

Outrageous!was one of the first gay-themed films ever to receive widespread theatrical release in North America.The sequelToo Outrageous!was released in 1987. A stage musical that was adaptated from the film was produced byCanadian Stagein 2000.

Plot

Robin Turner is an inept hairdresser. He does hair and makeup for the localdragshows but longs to get up on stage himself. His best friend Liza is schizophrenic; she had been institutionalized but decided to leave the facility and be Robin's roommate.

Liza has a delusional episode in which she believes that "The Bonecrusher" from "The Other Place" is lying on top of her. Robin helps her push the Bonecrusher off and Liza tells him about the Other Place and her friend from there, Zara. Zara protects her from the Bonecrusher, who tells Liza that she is "the one born dead" and wants to take her to live in the Other Place forever.

A social worker visits Liza and they review Liza's lengthy list of medications. The social worker stresses that it would be very dangerous for Liza to become pregnant. When Robin comes home from work, Liza is excited that she was able to function with the social worker. Robin, however, is upset: a client had urged him to be adventurous with her hairstyle but then reacted badly when Robin styled her likeElizabeth TaylorinCleopatra.

Robin and Liza meet Robin's friend Perry and Liza's friend from the institution, Martin. Martin seems to suffer from some form of paranoid delusions, believing that his eyes are turning Chinese and ranting aboutMao Zedong.Perry and Robin discuss their costumes for an upcoming Halloween party. Perry decides to go asKaren Blackas the flight attendant fromAirport 1975.Liza suggests that Robin go asTallulah Bankheadand agrees to make his dress.

Robin is a smash at the Halloween party, winning first prize in the costume contest, and offered the chance to perform regularly. His Boss at the hair salon, acloset casewho thinks women won't want to have their hair done by "fags", is at first reluctant to give Robin the time off to shop for fabric for new dresses but finally relents. Robin debuts at the club asBette Davis,doing a routine mockingJoan Crawford's performances inMildred Pierce,Autumn Leaves,andWhat Ever Happened to Baby Jane?while singing live rather thanlip synching.

Meanwhile, Liza is continuing therapy. She keeps a journal of her thoughts and dreams and reads them for her psychiatrist, who suggests that she return to the institution. She adamantly refuses. Her doctor again cautions her to avoid pregnancy. Liza's lesbian editor friend Anne reads through Liza's journal and tells her that she might be able to sell some of her stories.

Robin continues to make appearances at the club, including a turn asBarbra Streisand,but loses his day job after a client complains to the salon owner. Liza, who is somewhat sexually promiscuous, has become pregnant. With bills piling up, Robin leaves Canada for New York City seeking success as afemale impersonator.On his way to his first gig at the Jackrabbit Club, he meets Bob, a cab driver who was formerly a talent agent and agrees to allow Bob to represent him.

Robin performs "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend"while rapidly changing drag personas, starting off asCarol Channingthen transforming intoMarlene Dietrich,Ethel Merman,Ella Fitzgerald,Pearl Bailey,andBette Midlerbefore concluding as Carol again. As an encore he performs "Give My Regards to Broadway"asJudy Garland.Robin is a triumph and books a regular slot at the club.

Liza enters the hospital to give birth; tragically, the baby is stillborn. She goes into a deep depression, calling Robin to tell him about the stillbirth and that she believes now that she is "the one born dead." Robin has Bob drive him to Canada to retrieve Liza. Together at his New York apartment, Liza remains completely withdrawn; Robin instructs Bob to get Liza ready for that night's show at the Jackrabbit.

At the club Robin performs asPeggy Lee,singing "It Ain't Easy" in this crazy world. Liza slowly begins to respond to her surroundings. Following the number, back in Robin's dressing room, Liza expresses how depressed and dead she feels. Robin assures her that she's alive, just crazy, and so is he, and that they need to embrace their madness. At first reluctant, she begins to smile and agree; Robin then pulls her out to the dancefloor where they join the rest of the performers and patrons.

Cast

• Craig Russell– Robin Turner
• Hollis McLaren– Liza Connors
• Richert Easley– Perry
• Allan Moyle– Martin
• David McIlwraith– Bob
• Gerry Salsberg– Jason
• Andrée Pelletier– Anne
• Helen Shaver– Jo
• Martha Gibson– Nurse Carr
• Helen Hughes– Mrs. Connors
• Jonah Royston– Dr. Beddoes
• Richard Moffatt– Stewart
• David Woito– Hustler
• Rusty Ryan– Jimmy
• Trevor Bryan – Miss Montego Bay
• Michael Ironside– Drunk

Awards

The film was entered into the28th Berlin International Film Festival,where Craig Russell won theSilver Bear for Best Actor.It received severalCanadian Film Awardnominations at the28th Canadian Film Awardsin 1977, including forBest Picture,Best Actor(Russell) andBest Actress(McLaren).

Musical adaptation

Written byBrad Fraserand Joey Miller, the musical adaptation by Canadian Stage in 2000 castThom Allisonas Robin Turner and Loretta Bailey as Liza Conners.One key change in the musical version was that Allison's multiracial heritage enabled Fraser and Miller to addBillie HolidayandDiana Rossto Robin Turner's repertoire of impersonations, thus allowing them to put a different spin on the character without entirely abandoning the original source material.The cast also includedTamara Bernier,Karen LeBlanc,Tim HowarandEd Sahely.

External links

• Outrageous!atIMDb