The Queen

"A vibrant piece of queer history."

Jun 17 1968 Not Rated 1h 8m
Documentary

In 1967, New York City is host to the Miss All-American Camp Beauty Pageant. This documentary takes a look behind the scenes, transporting the viewer into rehearsals and dressing rooms as the drag queen subculture prepares for this big national beauty contest. Jack/Sabrina is the mistress of ceremonies, and their protégé, Miss Harlow, is in the competition. But, as the pageant approaches, the glamorous contestants veer from camaraderie to tension.

Plot

The 1967 Miss All-America Camp Beauty Pageant, a nationwide contest for drag queens held in New York City, is presented, including the behind the scenes logistics by both the organizers, led by Jack Doroshow who performs under the drag persona "Flawless Sabrina" and who also acts as the pageant Mistress of Ceremonies, and the twenty-eight contestants. From the organizers' perspective, the logistics chiefly surround trying to find space, not only to accommodate everyone, but one that is safe as the act of drag is still considered criminal in certain states. Their collective story does not end with the announcement of the pageant winner. Beyond the pageant itself, the contestants speak candidly about certain issues in relation to being involved in the world of drag: what it takes to prepare oneself for show as a drag queen; their homosexual orientation, most identifying as gay; their non-drag life especially during this time of conscription; and why most would not even consider gender reassignment surgery despite their attraction to dressing up as glamorous women.

Written by

N/A

Directed by

Frank Simon

Production Countries

United States of America

Production Companies

MDH, Vineyard Film, Si Litvinoff Film Production

Languages

English

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
1,411
Average Rating
7.2 out of 10
Metascore
78
Popularity
NA