David Weissman and Bill Weber's documentary traces the ascent and subsequent descent of the Cockettes, an equal-opportunity troupe composed of women, men and children who performed in drag at San Francisco's Palace Theater in the late '60s and '70s. Known as much for their flamboyance as for their talent, the Cockettes and their high-flying act failed to soar in the pressure tank of New York's theater scene.



Rated R 1 Hour 40 Minutes 2002

3.5 stars (Dale-4, David-3) Fun, interesting. Wistful-yet-honest interviews with cast members who survived the drugs and who avoided AIDS are intercut with wonderful footage of their performances and backstage “preparations.”