Myra Breckinridge (1970)

User Rating:

3.7/10   

Director:

Michael Sarne

Writers:

David Giler (writer)
Michael Sarne (writer)

Release Date:

24 June 1970 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Meet Myra Breckinridge. You'll Never Forget Her!

Plot:

Myron Breckinridge is waiting for his sex-change operation while a stoned surgeon stumbles into the operating room...

Plot Keywords:

Hollywood | Alter Ego | Talent Scout | Estate | Sex Change

Cast

Mae West	...	Leticia Van Allen
John Huston	...	Buck Loner
Raquel Welch	...	Myra Breckinridge
Rex Reed	...	Myron
Farrah Fawcett	...	Mary Ann Pringle
Roger C. Carmel	...	Dr. Randolph Spencer Montag
Roger Herren	...	Rusty Godowski
George Furth	...	Charlie Flager Jr.
Calvin Lockhart	...	Irving Amadeus
Jim Backus	...	Doctor
John Carradine	...	Surgeon
Andy Devine	...	Coyote Bill
Grady Sutton	...	Kid Barlow
Robert P. Lieb	...	Charlie Flager Sr. (as Robert Lieb)
Skip Ward	...	Chance

Also Known As:

Gore Vidal's Myra Breckinridge
Il caso Myra Breckinridge (Italy) [it]
Myra - herkkua helmoissa (Finland) [fi]
Myra Breckinridge (Austria) [de]
Myra Breckinridge (Spain) [es]
Myra Breckinridge (France) [fr]
Myra Breckinridge - Die Sexgöttin Hollywoods (West Germany) [de]
To flogero agorokoritso (Greece) [el]

Runtime:

94 min | Spain:91 min (alternate version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Canada:R (Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Germany:12 (re-rating) (2006) | West Germany:18 (original rating) | USA:X (original rating) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Finland:K-16 | UK:18 | USA:R (edited for re-rating) (1978) | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Chateau Marmont - 8221 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

Rex Reed originally refused to say the line, "Where are my tits? Where are my tits?". However, the producers informed him that if he didn't say the line, they would use an establishing shot with a voice impressionist yelling "WHERE ARE MY TITS? WHERE ARE MY TITS?". He reluctantly agreed to say the line.

Goofs:

Miscellaneous: Apparently pieced together from different takes, Myra's blouse collar alternately appears fully outside, partially inside/outside and fully outside her jacket during the scene in which she "depantses" Rusty in her office.

Quotes:

[Letitia has been pulled over by a policeman]
Leticia Van Allen: Don't forget to remind me about the policeman's balls - I mean police show!

Movie Connections:

References The Heiress (1949)

Soundtrack:

Chica Chica Boom Chic

Hilarious - a party favorite

I awoke with the TV still on. A woman dressed curiously like Wonder Woman is strapping a hunk to an examination table as well as something around her waste. What happens next is unbelievable, disturbing, and hilarious. I quickly pop up the menu and select future showings for reviewing. I want to see this flick from the beginning. And I have again and again since. To see criticism of this film saddens me. I am reminded that I still live in a world where minds are half-opened and fearful, if not slammed shut. I disregard the book, the movie is it's own entity. To be a great movie doesn't require perfect segues and outstanding acting (though I have tauted that Herren should get an Oscar solely for the look on his face after the rape scene). A great movie is great for invoking pleasant thought and responses. I totally got this film on first viewing, laughing until tears pooled up in my eyes. The vintage film clips were fabulous, and had to be the model used by HBO's hit series "Dream On" from the '80's. I appreciate the sexual revolution, but only today does this movie make sense to a broader audience - we live this stuff. After leaving this film running in a side room at one of my parties, it was much requested and is now part of a staple rotation. My friends have adopted many lines from the film and hearing them always spawns laughter from those of us in the know. If you have a sense of humor about your humanity, this film is a must see. "Thank GOD I didn't slip her the old 'Buck Loner special!'"