Gene Hackman was a brilliant actor. So many good juicy roles and he sank his teeth into every one them. From the time I saw him in The French Connection and Bonnie and Clyde I was hooked. But I have to admit the two scenes alone from the birdcage use to have me in stiches. Especially when he emerged from the back of the stage in full drag!!!! Gene Hackman in drag??? And he looks like so many local queens from many cities I met. I don't think there was a role he was afraid to take.
"No one will dance with me. I think it's this white dress. I told them white would make me look fat.
Gene Hackman
January 30,1930- February 27, 2025
Excellent clips, and showed a fun side to him.He was 66 when this film came out, an absolute legend.
ReplyDeleteYour right, great scenes from his career and over looked. As a Gene Hackman fan and watching him and all of his movies portraying dignified and leadership roles, these ending sequences at the dinner and later with him dressed in drag and trying to sing the chorus to Sister Sledge" We Are Family" will go down as one of the most memorable moments in his cinematic history. What adds to the greatness of actors is them appearing in RARE, unexpected form. That will always be a laughable sight to see.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky enough to see this in theaters when it came out. The entire theater SCREAMED with laughter when Senator Keeley appeared in drag. It was a fun moment.
ReplyDeleteVery sad. Okay, so he was 95, and died in (currently) mysterious circs, but even so...... A light has gone out - yet another one.
ReplyDeleteGene Hackman was my Aunt Florence’s friend Betty. Except for better make-up. Gene’s not Betty’s. But Betty had the same wig... in red. I forgot about the rest of the amazing cast in The Birdcage!
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