Sunday, March 22, 2009

Drugs, Anita and Legos


Having watched Milk several times now, I can't help wondering if there are history repeating parallels beyond Proposition 6/Proposition 8. Has anyone thought of Anita Bryant recently, or have we assumed she is completely defanged and living harmlessly in obscurity? Not according to this investigation by Gossip Boy.

In the meantime, I hope you enjoy her 1979 opus Drugs Are Like That. It's really worth watching not just the opening above but also part 2 and the riveting part 3 finale. The surreal influences can be seen right off with the opening shower of drugs/Legos echoing the opening credits for Douglas Sirk's version of Imitation of Life. The child actors were clearly schooled by master class leader Edith Massey at the JWSDA (John Waters School of Dramatic Arts). There is an overarching sense of dread and clear a message that something wonderful might turn out to be horrible, or something that seems horrible might turn out to be great. Basically, the take away message is that no matter what you do in life you'll probably get screwed over. The overall aesthetic, however, most reminds me of Elevator Girls in Bondage, right down to the sound effects, acting, make-up, sets and Legos. And Anita and Rumi's portrayal of Maxine seem to be twins separated at birth.

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10 Comments:

At 8:21 AM, Blogger Steve Reed said...

Wow. That investigation is going to take some time to get through. It's discouraging that Anita is up to her old tricks. And that video IS trippy.

I've always felt kind of sorry for her -- she thinks she's doing the right thing and she's just hopelessly off track and causing all kinds of misery. Talk about delusions!

 
At 8:58 AM, Blogger Ladrón de Basura (a.k.a. Junk Thief) said...

Steve - I might feel a little bit sorry for her if she felt some remorse and hadn't given birth to three decades of organized homophobia.

 
At 12:16 PM, Blogger WAT said...

My mind is spinning. This investigation looks monstrous!

Must I be the new guy to throw a pie at Anita's face?

 
At 12:18 PM, Blogger Ladrón de Basura (a.k.a. Junk Thief) said...

WAT - Get on the next plane to Oklahoma and fling that fruit pie.

 
At 7:38 PM, Blogger marxsny said...

I always thought the pacifier was a substitute for the nipple. So I'm shocked to find that breastfeeding is apparently the equivalent of getting a baby hooked on heroin. Fascinating.

 
At 10:23 PM, Blogger Ladrón de Basura (a.k.a. Junk Thief) said...

Mark - It's also curious how dispassionate Anita is while the baby screams and reaches for the pacifier. All she says is a heartless "Uh, oh," as if she takes pleasure in seeing the baby in pain.

 
At 8:06 PM, Blogger Salty Miss Jill said...

I suppose the Legos could be a metaphor for...something.
Yay, drugs!

 
At 8:11 PM, Blogger Ladrón de Basura (a.k.a. Junk Thief) said...

Jill - Legoland near San Diego is a big hang out for dealers.

 
At 5:17 AM, Blogger mouse (aka kimy) said...

are jigsaw puzzles drugs?

anita byrant....what a warped thing I, by the way yesterday was her birthday.... but no way would I have honored her during my celebration of women's history month... you are right on about how she has been the poster girl for the homophobes

hum, my old neighbor was really into legos, I wonder and he seemed like such a nice guy....

 
At 6:31 AM, Blogger Ladrón de Basura (a.k.a. Junk Thief) said...

Mouse - I wonder how Legos felt about this product placement in a film.

 

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