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High School (Frederick Wiseman, 1968)
Mar
11
National Promposal Day
Girls PE class accompanied by last year's hit single, 1910 Fruitgum Company's “Simon Says”. DP: Richard Leiterman.
“I didn't mean to be individualistic.”
– student
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She-Man: A Story of Fixation (Bob Clark, 1967)
Mar
10
International Wig Day
Real-world female impersonator Leslie Marlowe plays Lt. Albert Rose, a military man forced into wearing lingerie and said wig and eventually embracing it as “Rose Albert”.
“IS HE? or ISN'T SHE?”
– tagline
Re-released by Something Weird you're forgiven to think that She-Man: A Story of Fixation will be a schlockfest. Instead it's a versatile as Bob Clark's filmography. She-Man – and do please forgive the wording – is part #fetish fest, part #mondo movie, part #queer liberation.
A lovely film that, reminiscent to Ed Wood's Glen or Glenda (1953), was made by people who lived the lifestyle and therefore forfeits the unnecessary, exploitative angle.
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The General (Clyde Bruckman + Buster Keaton, 1926)
Mar
8
National Oregon Day
Johnnie Gray (Keaton) stands on the roof of The General's locomotive while Oregon passes along. DPs: Bert Haines & Devereaux Jennings.
For authenticity reasons, The General was – for the most part – filmed on location in Oregon. Set during the #AmericanCivilWar, it's a comedic retelling of a popular war memoir about the #GreatLocomotiveChase.
“This girl was in the baggage car when we stole the train, so I thought it best to hold her.”
– Captain Anderson
Sadly it was a box office #flop, resulting in Keaton losing his independence and his movie entering the #PublicDomain as early as 1954. Luckily for us that means we too can enjoy Oregon beautiful 1920s vistas.
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Paris Is Burning (Jennie Livingston, 1990)
Mar
6
National Dress Day
Paris Is Burning is probably best known for its fabulous #ballroom and #vogueㅤing scenes but in its heart, it tells the story of #family, of people who found their new ménage where they can live and love without fear and prejudice.
“In the ballroom circuit, it is so obvious that if you have captured the great white way of living, or looking, or dressing, or speaking – you is a marvel.”
– Pepper LaBeija
While you may expect a fierce documentary about #TransRights, or maybe merely a glamorous parade, you will be confronted with the flagrant #racism that made the #BallroomScene so essential for the Black and #Latinx LGBT+ community who founded it. And the tragedy of its demise in the name of pop culture even more heartbreaking.
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The Incredible Shrinking Man (Jack Arnold, 1957)
Mar
5
National Scott Day
Scott Carey (Grant Williams) standing in a palm of someone's hand, his arms outstretched as if pleading. DP: Ellis W. Carter.
Despite its sensationalist pulpy title and #ColdWar premise, Jack Arnold's adaptation of the Richard Matheson's The Shrinking Man (1956) is an existentialist treatise.
“A strange calm possessed me. I thought more clearly than I had ever thought before – as if my mind were bathed in a brilliant light.”
– Scott Carey
The Incredible Shrinking Man plays with the understanding of what it means to be acknowledged as a human, and one's place in the world. The story is told through the eyes of the titular Shrinking Man – Scott Carey – who after being exposed to strange fog, finds himself increasingly lost in this world.
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Dirty Little Billy (Stan Dragoti, 1972)
Feb
25
National Billy Day
Michael J. Pollard as Billy the Kid. He looks rather unwashed. DP: Ralph Woolsey.
– All right, Billy. All right. You still haven't answered my question. What do you want to do?
– Nothin'.
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American Dreams: Lost and Found (James Benning, 1984)
Feb
24
National Trading Card Day
A Hank Aaron trading card from director James Benning's personal collection. Below it a scrolling text quoting from Arthur Bremer's diary.
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The Whole Shootin' Match (Eagle Pennell, 1978)
Feb
23
Diesel Engine Day
Frank (Sonny Carl Davis) and Loyd (Lou Perryman) attempt to fix the diesel motor that keeps their polyurethane business afloat. DP: Eagle Pennell.
“Now this is a real good one Loyd, you want me to get in a business I can't even pronounce the name of? Poly-whatcha-doodle-all-day?”
– Frank
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Fast Break (Mike McLeod + Don Zavin, 1978)
Feb
19
NBA All Star Game