To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything
Kenny Ortega choreographed the comedy film, To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995), the title paying homage to a photo autographed by Julie Newmar the characters carry around during the movie.
Three drag queens, Noxeema Jackson (played by Wesley Snipes), Vida Boheme (played by Patrick Swayze), and Chi-Chi Rodriguez (played by John Leguizamo) embark on a road trip to Los Angeles from New York City to participate in a big national drag queen contest. Along the way, they encounter a homophobic police officer (played by Chris Penn). After narrowly escaping the officer’s advances, they get trapped in small town Snydersville, Nebraska when their car breaks down. While there, they come to the rescue of an abused wife (played by Stocking Channing), and put some pizazz back into the life of the townspeople. They eventually make it to Los Angeles where Chi-Chi, after having received many tips from Vida and Noxeema during their ordeal, wins the title of Drag Queen of the Year. Fittingly, the crown is presented by Julie Newmar herself.
Many New York drag queens have cameos in this movie, including Ru Paul.
” …the film is so totally unconventional that it’s riotously funny…” – Filmcritic.com
Awards:
- Nominated for two 1996 Golden Globe awards
Reviews:
To Wong Foo on Internet Movie Database
To Wong Foo on Wikipedia
