PEACHES CHRIST: THE MONDO CELLULOID INTERVIEW

It’s good to have role models…

When I launched Mondo Midnights, it was with a healthy dose of inspiration from two beloved cinephiles - Monsieur Phil Blankenship of New Beverly Midnights, and San Francisco’s favorite drag phenomenon-turned-cult cinema programmer and emcee, Peaches Christ.

Ms. Christ is the genius behind Midnight Mass, a screening series of camp classics that has seen revivals of everything from Teen Witch to The Apple, with special guests ranging from Mary Woronov, Mink Stole, and everyone’s favorite that-crazy-80’s-kid, Joshua Miller. As if juggling this film series, heavy promotion and public appearances, and her own career as a filmmaker isn’t enough, Peaches is bringing her signature blend of class and camp to Los Angeles for the first time next weekend with screenings of Jawbreaker and Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, which Cassandra “Elvira” Peterson herself will be attending.

I had the pleasure of speaking to Peaches Christ about her series, her idols, and that strange brand of cinema we both love.

Mondo Celluloid: A question I hear all the time is “What makes a movie “camp”?”   Camp always seems hard to define without bringing up specific movies. What do you think elevates a movie to “Camp”, and what do you think are some quintessential movies that define “camp” ?

Peaches Christ: I definitely think there’s more than one definition of “camp”, and I try to think about it a certain way even though the definition has become so broad that people use it to mean all different stuff. I get that and understand what people mean. I think about “camp” as something that unintentionally becomes comedic, hilarious, or legendary in a way it was never supposed to. I think some quintessential examples include Mommie Dearest and Showgirls. These are two revered movies that are celebrated in ways the filmmakers never intended. I’d argue this makes them even more fabulous than if they were conceived to be comedies. If they “worked” when they came out, we’d not be screening them at midnight twenty years later attracting thousands of rabid audience members.

The other idea about “camp” that I tend to talk about is the way that Mary Woronov describes her acting style. She says that she’s a “camp actress” and argues that because she delivers such fabulously over-the-top performances, they’re considered “camp”. She embraces this, but points out that actors aren’t rewarded or commended for such performances if they’re defined as camp. Al Pacino is revered for his performances, and they’re definitely “camp”. Just check out Scarface again!

MC: What inspired you to launch Midnight Mass?

PC: Midnight Mass began in the summer of 1998. I wanted to create a show that merged my love for drag and performance with my love for b-movies and cult cinema. I was inspired by Rocky Horror and San Francisco’s 70’s drag troupe The Cockettes. San Francisco has a great history of unique movie-going experiences and we just sorta created our own version of the midnight movie. Over the years we’ve done all sorts of shows. Highlights often include getting to work with my idols. I’ve done shows with Mink Stole, Tura Satana, John Waters, Elvira, and more! I’m a fan first and I love my idols. Actually, San Francisco really LOVES their idols and really rolls out the red-carpet for our cult heroes.

Other highlights include the really theatrical pre-shows I get to do with my drag friends- our musical “Trannie” before the film Annie was a real favorite. We created a full-blown musical stage-show about a little girl that couldn’t get adopted because she had a penis.

MC: That sounds awesome! Is there video of that somewhere? Will you be doing it again?

PC: Sadly, I don’t have a video of Trannie but there might be something on YouTube. We might do it again this summer!

MC: I went to your screening of Elvira Mistress of the Dark at Comi-Con a few months back and am totally excited that you’re bringing it to L.A. on January 17th. What inspired you to bring your show to L.A. ?

PC: Well, after all these years of traveling shows we’d still never come to Los Angeles! I think I was saving it for something really special. The 20th Anniversary screening of Elvira, Mistress Of The Dark with Elvira herself in-person could not be any more special and I’m hoping that folks embrace us. We’re actually doing two shows at two theatres in one BIG Midnight Mass Los Angeles weekend- On Friday night before Elvira, I’m holding the first-ever L.A. Convention Of Bitches preceding a screening of Jawbreaker at The Nuart.

MC: Cassandra Peterson looked fucking fantastic in San Diego, and seemed to have a great attitude and appreciation of her fans. At the risk of burning bridges, have you approached anyone who’s been less-than-enthused about appearing at your screenings, or of their legacy in a cult classic? Or have you always had luck landing your great guests?

PC: We’ve had AMAZING luck landing incredibly enthusiastic, fabulous guests. Definitely anyone I mention in an interview is someone we bonded with and had lots of fun with and I’d do another show with. However, there are a few that shall remain un-named until my book comes out that were more… challenging. I’ll leave it at that.

MC: Has Cassandra given you any tassel-twirling training? And if so, will you be showing it off at the L.A. screening?

PC: She has definitely shown us how to tassel-twirl but sadly I suck at it. Perhaps I should ask her to demonstrate and instruct us all at the L.A. screening. Then you’ll get to see how hard I suck.

MC: Which do you think would be the most unlikely - Jane Fonda showing up for a Barbarella screening, or Faye Dunaway showing up for a Mommie Dearest screening?

PC: Definitely Faye Dunaway.

MC: Seriously though - how great is Mommie Dearest?

PC: It’s brilliant! Truly genius. Probably one of my all time favorite movies, and sadly I think Faye gives a legendary performance that was too good to be understood. I wish she’d embrace it now. It’s truly what makes that film remarkable and I’d love to celebrate with her someday, but I’m not holding my breath.

MC: Do you have any advice for a fledgling cult cinema series programmer?

PC: Go with what you know! If you really love it with a passion and keep a sense of humor and levity about what your doing, like-minded folks will find you. Stick with it! People still want to see movies in theatres but it takes time to “cult”-ivate your audience.

JAWBREAKER
Friday, January 16th
Landmark’s Nuart Theatre, 11272 Santa Monica Blvd.
Peaches Christ and Writer / Director Darren Stein In Person, Midnight, $10.50
ONLINE TICKETS: http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/LosAngeles/NuartTheatre.htm

Get ready ready for L.A.’s first ever “Convention Of Bitches” preceding the show. Prizes awarded to the bitchiest, meanest audience members. Don’t miss Peaches’ onstage interview with writer / director Darren Stein, as well as, a special live performance by Jawbreaker’s self-proclaimed 1 fan Thomas Dekker (TV’s Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles). All preceding the screening of a gorgeous 35mm print of Jawbreaker.

ELVIRA, MISTRESS OF THE DARK
Saturday, January 17th
The Vista Theatre, 4475 Sunset Dr.
Peaches Christ and Elvira In Person, Midnight, $15
ONLINE TICKETS:
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/52030

Peaches Christ proudly presents you to her ultimate hero and icon, the world’s most famous horror hostess Elvira IN-PERSON! This is a very special and rare screening celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Elvira, Mistress Of The Dark. The film will be screened from the only known original print in existence! Don’t miss Peaches’ hilarious and insightful onstage interview with Elvira, audience Q&A, and lobby autograph signing.