"Superstar in a Housedress"

"Jackie was speeding away. Thought she was James Dean for a day..."

The Jackie in Lou Reed's song was Jackie Curtis underground performer and superstar. Craig Highberger made a documentary on the life of Jackie Curtis called "Superstar in a Housedress". Narrated by Lily Tomlin, the film along with an accompanying book tells Jackie's story, his rise and then his eventual demise through the words of his friends and contemporaries.
Jackie's life was filled with glamour and sadness and the film is as well.
Jackie Curtis, if you don't know who he was, performed on stage in New York during the 60's, 70's and 80's but is most remembered for his connection with Andy Warhol and his films. Jackie grew up on the lower east side of Manhattan when it was the lower east side and not chic. His grand mother Slugger Anne owned an eponymously named bar on 12th St. Curtis was raised by Slugger Anne after his parents divorced. He would go to the movies and spend hours watching the old film stars and in time became them in his own way. He performed both in male and female persona. Jackie's drag was a different kind of drag. It was a drag that challenged what drag of the time was. He wore old housedresses and torn stockings sometimes not shaving but still somehow pulled it off. He was also a playwright and his plays were performed downtown often at La Mama ETC. Jackie Curtis died in 1985, he was only 38.
Jackie was one of the big three, the Warhol drag superstars, Jackie, Holly Woodlawn and Candy Darling. All three appeared together in the movie "Women in Revolt". Holly the sole survivor of the three gives a sad and touching interview but leaves you laughing.
If you are at all interested in this period then this documentary is a must see.