To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar ⁞⁞ Queer Classics

The popular 1995 drag queen comedy To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar turned heads with its casting of "macho" movie stars Wesley Snipes (Demolition Man), Patrick Swayze (Road House), and John Leguizamo (Carlito's Way), known for appearing in darker crime films. The trio transformed into their roles as Noxeema Jackson, Vida Boheme, and Chi-Chi Rodriguez, respectively, for the tale of three drag queens who travel across the country for the Drag Queen of America pageant, only to get stranded in a small town after a dangerous encounter with a sheriff who is soon on their trail, looking for revenge.

Veteran drag queens Vida & Noxeema score a major prize by winning the Drag Queen of the Year contest in New York, in a shocking tie, announced by Rachel Tensions (RuPaul Charles). They are given an all-expenses paid trip to Hollywood to compete on an even bigger stage, but when they cross paths with the downtrodden Chi-Chi, Vida convinces Noxy to alter their plans to take the young drag queen with them after getting some inspiration from a signed portrait of actress Julie Newmar. They embark on a road trip to California, taking Chi-Chi under their wing to teach the rebellious newcomer how to become a proper Drag Queen. Comedy ensues, as they contend with several obstacles along the way, and Chi-Chi begins to build her drag skills. When they are pulled over after getting lost, they encounter Sheriff Dollard (Chris Penn), who attempts to get under Vida's dress, literally, leading to a physical altercation that leaves the queens believing he's dead. They flee the scene, unaware that he is indeed still alive and not happy with his close encounter with a "man in a dress."

Their car soon breaks down and Chi-Chi flags down Bobby Ray (Jason London), a young local who delivers them to his small remote town, Snydersville, to get the help of local mechanic Virgil (Arliss Howard). The trio settle into the hotel owned by Virgil and his wife Carol Ann (Stockard Channing), learning it will take the weekend to get the car fixed. They soon become involved in the lives of the bored locals, infusing the quiet town with life and style, while helping the residents through various troubles. Noxy bonds with the movie-loving Clara. Chi-Chi gains an admirer in Bobby Ray who is blissfully unaware that she is a man. Vida bonds with Carol Ann, placing herself squarely in Carol Ann's corner after learning of Virgil's abusive behavior. The queens change the lives of the tiny town, while also gaining new perspective on the course of their own lives and when Sheriff Dollard finally tracks them down, it's Carol Ann who stands up to protect them, joined by the townsfolk, despite Dollard's cries of them being men in dresses. Carol Ann fixes the car, the queens say their goodbyes, and they leave the town behind to finish their journey. The film ends with Chi-Chi's complete transformation as she wins the Drag Queen of America pageant and is presented with the crown by Julie Newmar herself.

Queer Classic Film Facts:

Upon its initial release, the film opened at number one at the American box office, earning approximately $4 million.
The only time that any of the three male leads appear out of drag is within the first two minutes of the film. This is odd, given that drag queens do not typically remain in drag around the clock.
Robin Williams appears in an uncredited cameo early in the film, playing John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt, an acquaintance of Vida's who provides them cash in exchange for their airplane tickets and sets them on their journey to getting a car for their road trip, after some flirtation with Chi-Chi. The scene also features a cameo by supermodel Naomi Campbell.
The film's title references the signature on the photo of Julie Newmar that Vida steals from the China Bowl restaurant. Wong Foo was the head bartender at the actual China Bowl restaurant in New York, which was frequented by many celebrities, leading to their photos peppering the walls of the place. The China Bowl closed in 1993, before this film was released.
Director Beeban Kidron was pregnant during filming of the movie, and actually gave birth to her first child on the last night of filming. Her son was credited with the film's crew as "Best Baby."
Patrick Swayze and John Leguizamo were both nominated for Golden Globe Awards for their performances in the film. Swayze was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) and Leguizamo was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy).
Famed drag queen and 13-time Emmy Award winner RuPaul Charles appears in the film as Rachel Tensions, the previous winner of the Drag Queen of the Year. Prior to the film, Charles had appeared in the popular films Crooklyn and The Brady Bunch Movie.
The pageant scenes feature several real-life drag performers including Lady Bunny, Candis Cayne, Coco Peru, and Hedda Lettuce.
The film's performance sequences were choreographed by Kenny Ortega, who would go on to direct popular film and television series like Hocus Pocus, High School Musical, Ally McBeal, Gilmore Girls, and the Michael Jackson concert film This is It.
Julie Newmar visited the set for one-day to watch the filming of the movie, leading to her brief cameo. As a result, she had no actual dialogue in the film.