Lady Bunny on the echoes of Mae West in drag culture | American Masters | PBS

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On February 6, 2019, iconic drag performer and artist Lady Bunny chatted with directors Sally Rosenthal and Julia Marchesi about actress Mae West's onstage persona and how she cultivated a legion of queer fans. Interview conducted for "Mae West: Dirty Blonde" (2020).

Chapters:
00:00 Through Mae West reruns Bunny finds a guide for “the tricks of the trade”
02:09 On the persistent rumors around West’s gender and her natural affinity towards drag tastes
03:41 West as a trailblazer in the technology of beauty enhancement
05:26 Mae’s strut and schtick inspires a generation of drag queens
09:18 West’s encounters with the drag scene of the early 20th century
11:16 The enduring legacy of drag balls

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Now in its 37th season on PBS, American Masters illuminates the lives and creative journeys of those who have left an indelible impression on our cultural landscape—through compelling, unvarnished stories. Setting the standard for documentary film profiles, the series has earned widespread critical acclaim: 28 Emmy Awards—including 10 for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series and five for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special—two News & Documentary Emmys, 14 Peabodys, three Grammys, two Producers Guild Awards, an Oscar, and many other honors. To further explore the lives and works of more than 250 masters past and present, the American Masters website offers full episodes, film outtakes, filmmaker interviews, the podcast “American Masters: Creative Spark,” educational resources, digital original series and more. The series is a production of The WNET Group.