Vegas in Space
(1993)
85 mins | Science fiction, Comedy | 27 August 1993
Cast:
Doris Fish, Miss X, Ginger Quest [ More ]Director:
Phillip R. FordWriters:
Doris Fish, Miss X, Phillip R. FordProducer:
Phillip R. FordCinematographer:
Robin ClarkEditors:
Ed Jones , Phillip R. FordProduction Designer:
Doris FishProduction Company:
Fish/Ford FilmsOpening credits state: “Based on the party by Ginger Quest.”
According to publicity materials in AMPAS library files, director Phillip R. Ford met San Francisco, CA, drag queen Doris Fish while he was still a film student, and agreed to direct her feature film debut. Fish collaborated with her friend, Miss X, on the screenplay, and also served as production, set, miniatures, costumes, makeup, and hair designer. The 16 Jul 1992 DV review indicated that filming was completed between 1983 and 1985, “in stops and starts,” as money became available. DV and the 31 Oct 1991 SFChron estimated a budget of $65,000--$70,000.
Fish died from complications related to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) before the film’s release.
Vegas in Space played at several festivals, including the 1992 Chicago Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, and the Boston Lesbian and Gay Film/Video Festival, before its theatrical release the following year. A 27 Aug 1993 LAT advertisement announced an “exclusive engagement” at the Nuart Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, while the 14 Dec 1993 Village Voice reported a New York City release date of 10 Dec 1993.
The 23 Aug 1993 HR reviewer acknowledged that the filmmakers meant to create “a movie so trashy and self-parodying that wayward moviegoers would enjoy laughing it off the screen,” but concluded that the “drag gueen spoof” was a “nightmare of tackiness and amateurism," and “the joke is old in the first 10 minutes.” However, the 29 Aug 1993 LAT critic found the movie “an endearing drag travesty,” and enjoyed its “gossamer-like camp aesthetic” and “rich, bizarre costumes.” ...
Opening credits state: “Based on the party by Ginger Quest.”
According to publicity materials in AMPAS library files, director Phillip R. Ford met San Francisco, CA, drag queen Doris Fish while he was still a film student, and agreed to direct her feature film debut. Fish collaborated with her friend, Miss X, on the screenplay, and also served as production, set, miniatures, costumes, makeup, and hair designer. The 16 Jul 1992 DV review indicated that filming was completed between 1983 and 1985, “in stops and starts,” as money became available. DV and the 31 Oct 1991 SFChron estimated a budget of $65,000--$70,000.
Fish died from complications related to AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) before the film’s release.
Vegas in Space played at several festivals, including the 1992 Chicago Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, and the Boston Lesbian and Gay Film/Video Festival, before its theatrical release the following year. A 27 Aug 1993 LAT advertisement announced an “exclusive engagement” at the Nuart Theatre in Los Angeles, CA, while the 14 Dec 1993 Village Voice reported a New York City release date of 10 Dec 1993.
The 23 Aug 1993 HR reviewer acknowledged that the filmmakers meant to create “a movie so trashy and self-parodying that wayward moviegoers would enjoy laughing it off the screen,” but concluded that the “drag gueen spoof” was a “nightmare of tackiness and amateurism," and “the joke is old in the first 10 minutes.” However, the 29 Aug 1993 LAT critic found the movie “an endearing drag travesty,” and enjoyed its “gossamer-like camp aesthetic” and “rich, bizarre costumes.”
End credits include the acknowledgments: “For their generous contributions and support, the producers wish to extend a very special thank you to: Laura Milligan; Paul Joseph; Earl and Camille Ford; Robert Hawk; Greg Foss; Dalton Bradley Chandler II; Mark Elliott; Randy West; David Lindsey; In-Camera Film and Video; Mark Oram; Full Frame Productions; Meredith Mac Intosh; Rob Foster; David Hopkins-Moore; Julie Hopkins-Moore; Raymond Keebaugh; John Canalli; Ron Pennington; Film Arts Foundation, San Francisco; West Graphics; San Francisco,” and, “Also thanks to: Greg Bonnell; Deborah Brubaker; Yvette Bozzini; Carmela Carlyle; Patrice Catanio; Douglas Conrad; Shirley Cope; Sanda Counts; Ken Coupland; Caroline Cunningham; Brain Driscoll; Scott Fallin; Mark Finch; Dan Goldstein; Marga Gomez; Steve Hagen; Marc Huestis; Brad Johnson; Toni and David Kafton; Robert and Caki Kennedy; Ira Kleinberg; Scrumbley Koldewyn; Mick La Salle; Bambi Lake; Phil Lortie; Eric Mason; John Mason; Jan Mauro; Marina McDougal; Joe McHenry; Peirre Merkl; Scott Miller; Randy Musgrave; Toni Navarro; Anne O’Toole; Esther K. Paik; Stephen Parr; Diet Popstitute; Lu Read; Jeff Rosenstock; Frances Rowell; Ambi Sextrous; Philip Justin Smith; Rico Schwartzberg; Shanti Project; Dan Stormes; Theater Artaud; Claire Tompkins; Gwyn Waters; Michael Weber; David Weissman; Kevin White; Ted White; Bob Zygarlicky.” A dedication also reads: “For Doris, With Love, August 11, 1952 – June 22, 1991.”
Vel Croford, Empress of Earth, sends a team of male space cadets to respond to a distress call on the planet Clitoris, home of the glitzy resort complex known as “Vegas in Space.” Because males are banned from the planet, the travelers take gender-reversal pills and go undercover as mid-twentieth century showgirls sent to entertain the Clitorian ruler, Nueva Gabor, at her annual sleepover party. As they transform, the crew adopt female names: Captain Dan Tracey becomes Captain “Tracey Daniels,” while Lieutenants Mike Shadows and Steve Dane choose to be called “Sheila” and “Debbie.” On the planet’s surface, Vice Empress Princess Angel gives them a tour and introduces them to Nueva Gabor. The empress informs the agents that they have been summoned to the planet to investigate a recent surge in crime, including the theft of her precious “Girlinium” gems, which are essential to maintaining the planet’s orbit around the sun. Without them, the resort is in danger of being destroyed by progressively violent seismic activity. Although considered the prime suspect, Clitorian Queen of Police Veneer is equally worried about the planet’s fate. During Nueva Gabor’s sleepover, Sheila uncovers Princess Angel’s hidden boudoir, filled with strange masks and gadgets. Queen Veneer chases Angel through the party, but an earthquake strikes and knocks Angel to the ground. The impact causes her head to pop off, revealing that she is actually an animatronic doll, and the Girlinium stones are hidden underneath her wig. With the planet’s safety restored, Nueva Gabor and the citizens rejoice. Queen Veneer decides to take a long overdue vacation to planet Mexico, and Tracey steps in as her temporary replacement. Accompanied by two new recruits, Sheila and ...
Vel Croford, Empress of Earth, sends a team of male space cadets to respond to a distress call on the planet Clitoris, home of the glitzy resort complex known as “Vegas in Space.” Because males are banned from the planet, the travelers take gender-reversal pills and go undercover as mid-twentieth century showgirls sent to entertain the Clitorian ruler, Nueva Gabor, at her annual sleepover party. As they transform, the crew adopt female names: Captain Dan Tracey becomes Captain “Tracey Daniels,” while Lieutenants Mike Shadows and Steve Dane choose to be called “Sheila” and “Debbie.” On the planet’s surface, Vice Empress Princess Angel gives them a tour and introduces them to Nueva Gabor. The empress informs the agents that they have been summoned to the planet to investigate a recent surge in crime, including the theft of her precious ���Girlinium” gems, which are essential to maintaining the planet’s orbit around the sun. Without them, the resort is in danger of being destroyed by progressively violent seismic activity. Although considered the prime suspect, Clitorian Queen of Police Veneer is equally worried about the planet’s fate. During Nueva Gabor’s sleepover, Sheila uncovers Princess Angel’s hidden boudoir, filled with strange masks and gadgets. Queen Veneer chases Angel through the party, but an earthquake strikes and knocks Angel to the ground. The impact causes her head to pop off, revealing that she is actually an animatronic doll, and the Girlinium stones are hidden underneath her wig. With the planet’s safety restored, Nueva Gabor and the citizens rejoice. Queen Veneer decides to take a long overdue vacation to planet Mexico, and Tracey steps in as her temporary replacement. Accompanied by two new recruits, Sheila and Debbie return to Earth for their new mission.
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