PAPER
Cinemaniac
christine_jorgensen_story_poster_02.jpg
Now out on their DVD-on-demand titles is MGM's camp howler The Christine Jorgensen Story, another film on my list that I never thought I'd live to see on DVD. This risible 1970 biopic on the brave transsexual Christine Jorgensen who grabbed headlines with her sex change in the 1950s was directed by Irving Rapper. Rapper also directed Bette Davis in two of her better films, Now Voyager and The Corn Is Green, but has less success here. The actor John Hansen who plays George/Christine is mostly to blame -- he's fabulously terrible. The movie, however, is one of those so-bad-it's-great messes. It tries desperately to be sensitive and brave but it's flat and clumsy and groaningly melodramatic. Make sure, however, to check out Christine's love interest, played by Quinn Redeker. Redeker is better known for his roles on soap opera The Young And The Restless, but was also nominated for an Academy Award for his screenplay, The Deer Hunter.  

Comments...