TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR [1995 / 2019] [Blu-ray] [UK Release] Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze and John Leguizamo Are Absolutely Fabulous!
A hilarious comedy starring Wesley Snipes as Noxeema, Patrick Swayze as Vida and John Leguizamo as Chi Chi Rodriguez are en route from New York to Hollywood for a drag queen beauty pageant, they are forced to make an unwelcome detour! Stranded in the tiny Midwest town of Snydersville, the three make the best of an unfortunate situation. Their glitz and glamour shake-up the sleepy locals and the stage is set for an outrageously funny weekend of flamboyant fun and unrefined simplicity, and the quality or state of being simple and sincere the simpleness of the villagers was so disarming that she temporarily abandoned her natural cynicism.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 1996 Golden Globes: Nomination: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture in a Comedy or Musical for Patrick Swayze. Nomination: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for John Leguizamo. 1996 GLAAD Media Awards: Nomination: Outstanding Film.
FILM FACT No.2: The opening and closing scenes were filmed in New York City featuring dozens of its local drag performers and underground stars in small roles or as featured extras. Included in the mix were RuPaul, Joey Arias, Lady Bunny, Miss Understood, Candis Cayne, Flotilla DeBarge, Miss Coco Peru, and Quentin Crisp. The three stars had previously spent some time in the local drag scene while researching their roles. The ending scene, the anticipated Miss Drag Queen USA contest, was filmed at The John S. Phipps Estate in Old Westbury, New York, now colloquially known as Old Westbury Gardens. Much of the rest of the film was shot on location in Montclair, New Jersey; Loma, Nebraska; Lincoln; and Omaha. Though greatly faded, a "Welcome to Snydersville" outdoor mural remains in Loma. Champions Tour professional Chi Chi Rodriguez sued the production company and distributor over the use of his name in the film, eventually settling with undisclosed terms.
Cast: Wesley Snipes, Patrick Swayze, John Leguizamo, Stockard Channing, Blythe Danner, Arliss Howard, Jason London, Chris Penn, Melinda Dillon, Beth Grant, Alice Drummond, Marceline Hugot, Jennifer Milmore, Jamie Harrold, Mike Hodge, Michael Vartan, RuPaul, Julie Newmar, Joel Story, Abie Hope Hyatt, Jamie Leigh Wolbert, Shea Degan, Dean Houser, Joe Grojean, Keith Reddin, Naomi Campbell, William P. Hopkins, Dayton Callie, Ron Carley, Shea R. Bredenkamp, Michael A. Tushaus, Patrick Tuttle, Timothy A. Zimmerman, Tim Keller, Miss Understood (aka Alexander Heimberg), Joseph Arias, Allen Hidalgo, Mishell Chandler, Catiria Reyes, David Drumgold, Clinton Leupp, Lionel Tiburcio, Bernard A. Mosca, Daniel T. “Sweetie” Boothe, David Barton, Susanne Bartsch, Quentin Crisp, Kevin “Flotilla DeBarge” Joseph, Matthew Kasten, Widow Norton, Candis Cayne (aka Brendan McDanniel), Shelton McDonald , Richard Ogden, James Palacio, Steven Polito, Philip Stoehr, Margaret H. Flynn, Billie J. Diekman, Shari Shell-True, Jimmy Ashmore (uncredited), George Costacos (uncredited), Chauncey Duren (uncredited), Marshall Factora (uncredited), Brian Ferrari (uncredited), Alphonso King Jr. (uncredited), The Lady Bunny (uncredited), Jesse Wells Martin (uncredited), Chris Place (uncredited), Channing Roos (uncredited), Johnathan Staci Kim (uncredited), (uncredited), Robin Williams (John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt) (uncredited) and Lito Wilson (Viva Commotion) (uncredited)
Director: Beeban Kidron
Producers: Bruce Cohen, E.J. Foerster, G. Mac Brown, Mitchell Kohn and Walter F. Parkes
Screenplay: Douglas Carter Beane
Composer: Rachel Portman
Costume Designer: Marlene Stewart
Cinematography: Steve Mason, A.S.C., A.C.S. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 (Anamorphic)
Audio: English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 108 minutes
Region: Region B/2
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Universal Pictures / Amblin Entertainment Production / Fabulous Films
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR’ [1995] film and its plot was similar to that of ‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ [1994] and the reviews for the 1995 were decidedly mixed. And, no, the film did not deal with the AIDS crisis. The film ‘TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR’ that had gay characters at its centre, did get made, and by a major production company — Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment. It was then subsequently released by a major studio, and that was Universal Pictures. It was the number one film at the box office when released 1995 in its first two weeks in cinemas. And while the film itself may not have sparked much if any social change, it did have a major impact on the lives of the people associated with its making. For that alone, the film is worth celebrating on its release in 1995.
‘TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR’ tells of three New York drag queens Vida Boheme [Patrick Swayze] and Noxeema Jackson [Wesley Snipes], who've just won a trip to Hollywood and the national finals of a drag contest. They decide to take newcomer Chi Chi Rodriguez [John Leguizamo] along for the ride and set out across the country in a giant yellow battered old convertible Cadillac that's all style and no horsepower. Somewhere around Pennsylvania the Cadillac car dies, of course, stranding them in the small town of Snydersville. While they wait for the right Cadillac part to arrive, they find themselves entering the somewhat troubled lives of the townsfolk. With the Strawberry Festival coming up and an irate local sheriff on their heels, can they bring a bit of fabulous to this tired old town?
This road trip comedy starring some of the 1990s biggest action heroes in drag works best as a story about three friends who find answers for themselves by helping others. But don't look for a lot of campiness in ‘TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR.’ The focus here is on the three main characters and their effect on each other and the world around them. And while there's some sexiness and some mild romance, it's refreshingly free of sexual relationships among the three friends and between them and the townspeople. They're much more interested in helping people and being good role models.
‘TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR’ is a tribute to the statuesque Catwoman actress (explained by her message scribbled on a photo to a Chinese restaurateur), and revels its high-spirited camp feel-good factor. But the only negative aspect of the film is that they trot out a gay-baiting cop Sheriff Dollard [Chris Penn] for the audience to hiss. Don’t expect any kind sexual content or chemistry, as the film is mainly a typical road movie, completely desexualized heroes. But at least the film contained glimmers of eccentric camp panache and most of the gags are easy one-liners, and almost all of those are references to pop culture when the film was made and released. Throughout the film there are some laughs to be had, and it's all fairly innocent in its treatment, keeping well within the PG-13 limits, which is a shame. And, yes, Julie Newmar does make an appearance — a brief one — in the final scene. Robin Williams on the other hand has an uncredited over the top camp cameo performance as John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt who really put on a truly magical funny amazing moment in the film.
During their travels they meet a variety of people… some of whom are not quite sure what to make of them. However, barriers are broken, laughs are had, and friendships are made in this heart-warming comedy that keeps getting better with each viewing. The film ‘Superman’ was sold on the tagline of “You’ll believe a man can fly,” whereas To Wong Foo could be sold with “You’ll believe Patrick Swayze is a woman,” as after 10 minutes all thoughts of his previous roles have dissipated and you fully appreciate how much he threw himself into the role. A great comedy that guarantees laughs all the way.
With the film we find three people with their travels they meet a variety of people… some of whom are not quite sure what to make of them. However, barriers are broken, laughs are had, and friendships are made in this heart-warming comedy that keeps getting better with each viewing. Superman was sold on the tagline of “You’ll believe a man can fly”, whereas ‘TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR’ could be sold with “You’ll believe Patrick Swayze is a woman,” as after 10 minutes all thoughts of his previous roles have dissipated completely and you fully appreciate how much he threw himself into the role. So for me, the film is a good comedy film that guarantees laughs all the way. So come on folks, sit back and enjoy, and I know for a fact that you will not be at all disappointed and I can tell you that there are some scenes in the film where you will I experience some very magical emotional moments in the film, so have your box of Kleenex tissues ready.
‘TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR’ is a hoot of a movie and a very enjoyable watch. The central actors give fantastic amazing performances and so does Stockard Channing and it’s a totally heart-warming tale of being accepted to those who are different to you. The film also boasts a killer soundtrack and, dare I say, it’s one of the late Patrick Swayze’s best performance. If you’ve never seen the amazing film, you should check out this gorgeous new Blu-ray release instantly, but if like me, you saw it years ago, now is the time to definitely revisit ‘TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR’ again!
TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR MUSIC TRACK LIST
BODY BEAUTIFUL (Written by Bernadette Cooper) [Rap by Cheryl “Salt” James] [Performed by Salt-N-Pepa featuring Bernadette Cooper]
SHE’S A LADY (Written by Paul Anka) [Performed by Tom Jones]
1812 OVERTURE (Written by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky) [Performed by The Hungarian Orchestra] [Conducted by Ádám Fischer]
ZAMPA OVERTURE (Written by Ferdinand Hérold) (Arranged by Charlotte Georg) [Performed by The 1st Generation Masterpiece Symphony]
WHO TAUGHT YOU HOW (Written by Crystal Waters and Eric Kupper) [Performed by Crystal Waters]
NOBODY’S BODY (Written by Heavy D) [Performed by Monifah Dahara]
GOTTA MOVE (Written by Peter Matz) [Performed by Barbra Streisand]
CHINA GIRL (Written by Robert J. Walsh and Wayne Scott Joness)
SUPERSOUNDIC #1 (Written by Ole Georg) [Performed by The Kronborg Strings]
FREE YOURSELF (Written by Sami McKinney, Denise Rich and Warren McRae) [Performed by Chaka Khan]
BRICK HOUSE (Written by Lionel Richie, Ronald La Pread, Walter Orange, Milan Williams, Thomas McClary and William King) [Performed by The Commodores]
WALTZ POMPADOUR (Written by Ole Georg) [Performed by The Kronborg Strings]
THEME from TV Series “Wonder Woman” [1975] (Written by Norman Gimbel and Charles Fox) [From the album "Television's Greatest Hits Volume 3: 70's and 80's"]
THE LADY YOU’RE WITH AIN’T NO LADY (Written by Larry Applewhite, Gene Wisniewski) [Performed by Larry Applewhite]
TURN IT OUT (Written by Shep Pettibone and Steve Feldman) [Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash]
STAND BY YOUR MAN (Written by Billy Sherrill and Tammy Wynette) [Performed by David Allan Coe]
THIS IS A MAN’S WORLD (Written by James Brown and Betty Newsome) [Performed by Sara Hickman]
JE CHERCHE UN HOMME (I Wan't A Man) (French lyrics written by Yves Bruyere) (English lyrics written by Ramon Pina) (Music written by Michel Emer and Georges Pazman) [Performed by Eartha Kitt]
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS (Written by Kenny O'Dell) [Performed by Charlie Rich]
HOLD ME, THRILL ME, KISS ME (Written by Harry Noble Jr.) [Performed by Johnny Mathis]
DO WHAT YOU WANNA DO (Written by Steve Hurley and Tonia Hurley) [Performed by Charisse Arrington]
HEY NOW (Girls Just Want To Have Fun) (Written by Robert Hazard and Lolly Vegas) [Performed by Cyndi Lauper]
(Hey, Won't You Play) ANOTHER SOMEBODY DONE SOMEBODY WRONG SONG (Written by Chips Moman and Larry Butler) [Performed by B.J. Thomas]
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Blu-ray Image Quality – Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment Amblin Entertainment Production and Fabulous Films presents the film ‘TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING JULIE NEWMAR’ with an impressive 1080p image and is shown in the standard 1.85:1 (Anamorphic) aspect ratio and they have treated the film correctly giving it the bright poppy transfer it deserves. The transfer accurately represents the greens of the Midwest along with the colourful outfits everyone seems to wear throughout the film. The grain structure is perfect giving the transfer a more filmic look. Please Note: Playback Region B/2: This will not play on most Blu-ray players sold in North America, Central America, South America, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. Learn more about Blu-ray region specifications.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Universal Pictures, Amblin Entertainment Amblin Entertainment Production and Fabulous Films brings us the film ‘TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING JULIE NEWMAR’ with just one standard 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio experiences. Dialogue is totally excellent with clear articulation and emotional range. The film score is acceptable, offering support with decent instrumentation. The amazing soundtrack songs really enhances the film overall, keeping the 1990’s beat with electronic percussion and especially used to open up soundtrack selections and explore a few open world atmospherics of the film.
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Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: Deleted Scenes [1995] [480i] [1.37:1] [15:02] With this featurette, we get to view some more restaurant augments, used car lot antics, auto failure on a steep mountain road, plenty of small town interactions with the locals, an extended goodbye, and the original ending of ‘TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR.’
Special Feature: Theatrical Trailer [1995] [480i] [1.37:1] [2:11] With this featurette, we get to view the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR.’
Finally, ‘TO WONG FOO, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING! JULIE NEWMAR’ is something I do not just think of it as film, whereas I think it was a very brave decision of Amblin Entertainment and Steven Spielberg at that moment in time to ever contemplate in making a film about three out and proud gay men back in the mid-1990’s, especially with the outbreak of AIDS and the racist homophobic hostility towards the LBGT society at the time, whereas to have a major film studio that was willing to finance the film and release it. What was also so amazing is how one man like Steven Spielberg gave 100% support for the film from day one, without any begging or convincing and had gotten a gay film made, while Steven Spielberg was proud to make the film, and no other film studios saw it quite that way. To some people they say the film is too predictable, but people should just sit back and enjoy the ride throughout the fil, as it is full of camp enjoyment. Some say the storyline is relating to Sheriff Dollard is too much of a stretch. Still, I feel instead the film works very well enough as a close friendship tale, and teens will relate to the characters as they long both for acceptance and for a future that's as fabulous as they are. Trouble is people are always trying compare this 1995 film to the fabulous ‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ [1994], well both films have a similar theme running throughout both films, but the 1995 film have men dressed in drag throughout its 108 minutes and their personal goals are totally different to the 1994 film and a big adventure awaits to all you film fans out there, so come on folks really enjoy yourself and have a really outrageously camp time. Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
