Barbra Streisand, Katharine Hepburn, Martin Lawrence, Charlie Chaplin, Tyler Perry, John Travolta, Nathan Lane, Gael García Bernal, Angelina Jolie and Tom Hanks. That’s not just a list of some megastar performers—every single one of them has been in drag in the movies. The term “drag” was first used in the late 1800s to describe the action of performing in clothes that differ from one’s own gender (and not in Shakespearean times, as is commonly believed). Over the past century, the art of drag has gone through constant variations. In the 21st century, drag has transitioned from an underground expression of gender and artistry into the mainstream, thanks to shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Drag has been part of cinema since the very beginning. The Countess Charming is thought to be the first feature film featuring drag, though it’s sadly lost. But filmmakers like Alice Guy Blaché toyed with gender roles in the 1900s in shorts like The Consequences of Feminism. Film has consistently explored gender through drag, dabbling in every genre imaginable. And there are countless different ways drag is used in cinema, and plenty tap into the idea that the act of cross-dressing is an opportunity for a glorious, fulfilling transformation.
This starter pack, however, is dedicated to films that celebrate the possibilities of drag, from stories exploring the life of a drag queen to those about people who want to express themselves in a new way. For some of these films, drag is a curiosity to see how the other half lives; for others, it’s a vital part of their own gender expression. Drag doesn’t have to mean donning elaborate gowns or impossibly high heels. It’s a way to discover a new part of yourself by becoming someone different.
As Stop! That! Train!, a shimmering new comedy overflowing with drag queens roars into cinemas, there’s no better time to get into drag cinema.
