Folks, synchronize your Blu-Ray players!
Shout! Factory, the film distribution company that specializes in decked-out releases for cult films, has just announced its slate for this June. The company will celebrate Pride Month with the release of four beloved queer films on special edition Blu-Ray.
First up: the defining release of the drag classic To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Numar. The movie that dared to cast four action stars–Patrick Swayze, John Leguizamo and Wesley Snipes–as drag queens on a cross-country road trip. In addition to deleted scenes from the archives, the film will feature a new retrospective mini-doc with actor John Leguizamo, Director Beeban Kidron and screenwriter Douglas Carter Beane.
Next comes Boom! a Tennessee Williams adaptation starring Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Noel Coward. Derided on its original release for the story of a very horny woman flirting with a handsome man who may or may not be Death, the premise alone has earned the film an enduring legacy. The ridiculous performances by Taylor and Burton, however, cemented it as a Showgirls-type cult classic. John Waters provides commentary for the new release.
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Jeffrey, the seminal classic of 90s Queer Cinema also gets a loaded rerelease this year, featuring new in-depth interviews and commentary from star Steven Webber. Writer Paul Rudnick provided the script about a man trying to cope with dating at the height of the AIDS crisis. Can he swear off sex forever, even if he falls in love? Jeffrey also features one of Patrick Stewart’s best performances as the bitchy, aging queen Sterling. He’s enough of a reason to watch.
Finally, the much-maligned Village People musical Can’t Stop the Music gets the restoration treatment, complete with new interviews with band member Randy Jones. Writer Bruce Vlanch and filmmaker Jeffrey Schwarz (an avowed fan of the film) provide audio commentary to one of the strangest movies ever made. Set to the tunes of the Village People (yes, including “YMCA”), the film also stars Valerie Perrine, Steve Gutenberg and a pre-transition Caitlyn Jenner.
To Wong Foo and Boom! both hit May 28. Jeffrey and Can’t Stop the Music land on June 7.
Related: And The Films Played On: An Essential Guide To HIV/AIDS-Related Cinema
Brian
I’m still waiting for a company to give Muriel’s Wedding the deluxe treatment.
Cato
FFS, Queerty, it’s called “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar”. Is it too much trouble to do some quick google fact-checking once in a while?
MISTERJETT
you know what? shut up!!!!!
Saps48
Steven Weber, one B…
Bryguyf69
“starring Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and Noel Coward. …the story of a very horny woman flirting with a handsome man”
Okay, Elizabeth Taylor can be a horny woman, but neither Noel Coward nor Richard Burton were especially handsome men.
Ronbo
In it’s day To Wong Foo was cringe-worthy. I’ll stick with classic Priscilla and Ideal home.
Jackrabbit
I loved “Can’t Stop The Music”
domen8r
Who’s the 4th action star in Wong Foo? Stockard Channing?
Brian
She got some noteworthy action in Grease.
Man About Town
Maybe he meant the Cadillac…