peter johnson
Frightening Fanatic of Horrible Cinema
Karma: 107
Posts: 1489
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« Reply #16 on: November 27, 2007, 03:13:20 PM » |
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Nobody's really attempted to respond to RCMerchant's request for a definition of "camp" -- I will attempt said: As context of the aforementioned films can imply, humour, both intentional and unintentional, plays a huge part in any consideration of the term. However, I think that the best "camp" always implies some sort of gay humour or gay context. For example: Robot Monster is appealing to a gay theatrical sensibility due to the sheer blithering absurdity of the cosutmes & dialogue. At the same time, you need not necessarily be gay or like gay people to understand that overdone makeup, overdone hair, overdone costuming, etc. etc., can be a prime source of humour. Here I think is another factor of "camp" -- It must be waayyy over the top/overdone/full of unnecessary lights and whistles and bells. For example, Mommy Dearest -- I did NOT see "Mommy Dearest" on the list/Is it there? -- is "camp" not only for the over-the-top performance of Faye Dunnaway, but her David Gest Frightmare makeup as well. Had she not been so heavily made up, I don't think it would be considered quite so camp. Also, waving wire coat hangers around -- completely unnecessary to the plot or story -- see what I mean? Any film with Charles Birch is camp. Almost any film with Paul Bartel is camp, as he winks at the audience even while being eaten by pirahnas. "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavara" is camp camp camp: "Dance, Animalia, Dance!!" could not be more a more overdone bit even with a Mariachi band & a conjuerer, to quote John Cleese. All that being said, all camp is not created equal, re. the enjoyment factor. Personally, I found "Moulon Rouge" to be a boring bit of camp, despite Nicole Kidman bleeding from her cute nose, dying grandly from TB. Bored me to death. Go figure . . . Cross-dressing & gay presence helps, but doesn't clinch the deal. For example, I don't find "La Cage A Folles" to be particularly campy, as the overdone character of the gay boyfriend/fake wife is actually central to the plot & given the context is not overdone. It's a farce, but not a particularly camp farce. "Victor/Victoria" becomes repellant camp, if for no other reason than it tries too damn hard to be outrageous, and it shows. Yes, I suppose it could be considered campy, but one other element of real "camp" is fragility: The whole illusion could be easily blown or ruined. Pay no attention to the drag queen behind the evening gown!! There must be some magic to surrender to -- "Victor/Victoria" has none. "Batman: The Movie" is one of the best examples that people have come up with here, and lays the ground for one of my personal faves: Danny Elfman's "The Forbidden Zone!". Anyone still in doubt as to what "camp" is need only view the angry, shouting, 3-ft. tall, poorly acted King of the Underworld, beneath his skeletal chandelier, raving to his fat queen, played with all his heart by Herve Velleschez, on a quality cardboard/hand-painted set . . . I can say no more . . . peter johnson/denny camp crane
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