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Myra Breckinridge

[1970, Movie]

Myra Breckinridge: Review

Extravagantly tasteless, surprisingly inept filming of Gore Vidal's briefly notorious novel about a man (Rex Reed) who has himself surgically transformed into the woman of the title (Raquel Welch). A bizarre mixture of Hollywood camp and mod aesthetics, MYRA BRECKENRIDGE is chiefly of historical interest: like the much superior BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS (released in the same week), it's a reminder of the lengths to which clueless studio executives were prepared to go in the attempt to capture an increasingly youthful audience. Mae West, who returned to the screen after a 26-year absence, provides a few sparks; Farrah Fawcett debuts as a young woman who catches Myra's eye; a young Tom Selleck appears briefly as one of West's stud puppies.