I was recently out and about, and got into a conversation with some people I’d met out that night (whom were all younger than myself) about all sorts of random things …
Bohemian Hipsters who spend lots of money trying to dress like they have no income; whether pop stars knows the words to their songs when they lip synch them during a ‘live’ performance; baby drag queens; camp movie bits.
The conversation was going along at a breakneck speed when I mentioned a scene from The Rocky Horror Picture Show – where Columbia does the tap dance and falls off the stage (as I accidentally re-enacted a few weeks back, on – and off stage at Sircuit on a Sunday).
This was met with nodding heads, but blank gazes.
“You know the bit, during the Time Warp, after Magenta and Riff Raff have taken all Brad and Janet’s clothes.”
Someone opened their mouth and spoke. “That’s the musical isn’t it?”
‘YES!’ said I
“Nah, haven’t seen it.”
Aghast, I quickly rattled off a list of camp cinema classics – Paris is Burning; Stonewall; To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar; Valley of the Dolls; The Stepford Wives; Beaches; Mame; Mommie Dearest; and The Wizard of Oz.
These kids looked at me like I was crazy – for all I know I could have been speaking in tongues – my new friends had absolutely no idea what I was on about.
Mention the Stonewall Riots and most of the younger generation think you’re talking about a day party gone awry on Oxford St because a bar sold out of Smirnoff Black.
Never mind the Tasty raid that happened right here in Melbourne.
Friends of Dorothy Who? What’s a Carol Channing? And don’t get me started on those who haven’t seen Priscilla – oh the shame of it!
Please, do yourself a favour – head down to your local video store and check out a few Old School Camp Gay Movies. Get a group of friends together, pop some popcorn and make a night of it.
Drag Queens all over Melbourne will love you for it!
By Polly Filla
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It was ever thus with the youth. What, with their pants falling down and their hair from WTF. Ask Aristotle. I died in the war so these smartphone-addicted youngsters could take their blowjob buddies du jour as “partners” to the prom. Sheesh! But do you think they give a Gaga? I may as well go home and listen to Haydn string quartets on the wireless (Op64 No5 in D Major,”The Lark” is my favorite).
Yup an unfamiliarity with camp musicals and movies is completely the same as not knowing queer political history. Thanks for that.
how can people not know Mommie Dearest?? NO WIRE HANGERS!!! EVER!!!!