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This film really struck a chord with the gay community and has remained a favorite of a small cadre of fans. Craig Russell has a very interesting history. He worked as an assistant to Mae West and went on to have a nice career as a performer, doing this film and a sequel to it - Too Outrageous (1987), as well as club dates and guest appearances on television. Look for Helen Shaver in a small part as well.
The fans of this film know it well, though the general public isn't really aware of it. It's available on DVD. A promotional trailer for the DVD is above, uploaded to YouTube by DigitalClassics.
Obscurity factor: 6 (known to fans, otherwise largely unknown, on DVD)
I'm definitely one of the fans of this film that know it well, but I've always been curious about the sequel ("Too Outrageous!"). I don't know anyone who's ever seen it and it appears that it's never been released on VHS or DVD. (I didn't even seen anyone selling it on iOffer.) While I doubt it has the quirky charm of the original, it would be great to see how Mr. Russell progressed his character Robin.
ReplyDeleteI'm seeing some autobiographical undercurrents here Ben, are we thinking a introspective look at Ben/Brini as we've, never (or rarely ;-)~ seen him/her before??? Are we talking warts and all here??? Good for you if so! ;-)~
ReplyDeleteI've only seen clips of it on YouTube - haven't seen it all the way through. It's interesting. I don't think it had the same warmth or punch the original had.
ReplyDeleteNo, Michael, nothing like that. It's just a film I really enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI remember seeing Outrageous when it came out at a little Seattle "art" movie house. Rented it just a couple of months ago and found it wonderfully entertaining. Am still humming, "It Ain't Easy in This Crazy World."
ReplyDeleteYes, it really holds up. It's fun how they do that song in several different styles.
ReplyDeleteI saw a big chunk of this film this morning on Cinemax. They're probably running it all month.
ReplyDeleteBecause of Craig Russell's outstanding performance, Hollis McLaren's excellent and sensitive depiction of Liza, the mentally-ill poet, is often overlooked. "Outrageous!" is worth seeing just for her. Along with other Canadian classics of the era, such as "Goin' Down the Road" and "The Rowdyman", it reminds us what can be done with a good director, good script, and good actors, even on a miniscule budget. The costs of any of these films wouldn't have paid the caterers on a Hollywood production -- I don't think there are two cameras in either "Outrageous!" or "Goin' Down the Road." They're both worth seeing for anyone who lived in Toronto cira 1970, just for a reminder of what the city was before it became bloated."Outrageous!" is a classic, a must-see for anyone who loves a good, quirky drama about people on the social margins.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a remarkable film, and her performance is delightful in it. I'm surprised she didn't work more.
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