Charles Pierce "First Annual Farewell Performance" at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, CA 1982
Ava-Graph’s answer to the TV commercials. In color.
A comedy-drama about vamps, villains, and foreclosure on the Hornsby Farm. In color.
A tour de force for Jolie Derriere in four exciting escapades ala Pearl White in "The Peril's of Paulene". In color.
Female impersonators model the wardrobe of the twenties, with commentary. In color.
A female impersonator giggles and flirts. By the following decade, many female impersonators would be shown doing their acts on the stage and in the movies; the Eltinge Theater on 42nd Street in New York is named for Julian Eltinge, the most famous of them. This was probably the earliest "name" example for the movies. Gilbert Saroni plays an exceedingly ugly woman who coyly flirts with her fan.
Short film, shown with The Last of the Worthingtons. In color.
Vignettes of the twenties showing some of the newer original gowns of the period Ava-Graph has acquired. In color.
Adventures of Lily Lonely, a wicked gypsy and a mischievous boy. In color.
This color film reprises the female impersonator Adrian's nightclub act of the same name: "'Salome and the Dance of the Seven Veils' introduced the Club 82's new season to New Yorkers, in 1958. It was an immediate hit, and Adrian stayed on for four years, delighting audiences that came from all parts of the country and the world to see him. One of the reasons for its success was that Adrian, wanting everything to go perfectly, designed and made his own costume. He discovered a new talent, which he continues to use. The wax head of John the Baptist, which he uses in his act, is the same one which Brenda Lewis used in the Metropolitan Opera." - Avery Willard, Female Impersonators, 1971.
A story about a London vampire, set in the Gay '90s. In black and white.
The story of a nightclub girl of the twenties who meets a handsome swain. In color.
Stars Pudgy Roberts. A satirical short, featuring Pudgy's famous nightclub act. In color.
From transvestites to transformers, we will follow the trail that will lead us in different and famous Parisian music-halls, such as the mythical Alcazar of Paris, La Grande Eugène. Whether they are below or beyond their character, often these men who are looking for themselves look at life with the humor of despair. Why this need to "transform" themselves? Why is it always the men who cross-dress and not the women? Why did the public flock to these shows in the 1970s and 1980s? Interpretations of famous characters such as Diana Ross, Josephine Baker, Billie Holiday, the Peter Sisters, the Andrew Sisters, Zizi Jeanmaire, Judy Garland, Sarah Bernhardt, among others, contribute to making this musical document an essential testimony of this era.
Features underground film makers and stars Jack Smith, Charles Ludlum, and Bill Vehr. A satirical film, comprising a collection of vignettes of the entertainment personalities who were famous during the "Roaring Twenties". Included is a take-off of the Ziegfeld Follies girl-parade, which features Ava-Graph's own pretty girls. Original music of the twenties. In stunning color
A musical featuring favorites of Ava-Graph.
While trying to nab a gang of diamond smugglers, the police are notified by Scotland Yard that the gang's leader, a beautiful Englishwoman who was on her way to the States to take control of the gang, has been caught. Because the American gangsters don't know what their English boss looks like, the police persuade a female impersonator to pretend to be her and infiltrate the gang.
Gay hair stylist Robin Turner does a lot of work for drag queens, all the while dreaming that he'll someday find the courage to perform in drag himself. When his schizophrenic friend, Liza, turns up looking for a place to stay, the two form an increasingly tight bond, Robin helping Liza through an unplanned pregnancy and Liza pushing Robin to develop a successful nightclub act.
Keeping the position of number one son requires a certain amount of ingenuity. Twelve year old Greg has inherited his father's competitive streak. On a family holiday to Fiji they have different ideas about where Greg should focus his talents. When his creative pursuits fail to amuse his father Greg goes to bizarre lengths to win him back.
When Agent Starrbooty's adopted niece is kidnapped, she and Agent Page Turner go undercover as prostitutes to rescue her from Starrbooty's old nemesis.