Flaming Classics: Queering the Film Canon

"Surrender Dorothy" read the Wicked Witch's jet exhaust, leaving the startled Munchkins to wonder what the message meant. So you think you know all about film classics? Guess again. Flaming Classicsturns the heat up on the movies we love best. In his wicked readings of film favorites, Alexander Doty takes us to the queer side of criticism, offering fresh and controversial views of the stars, the plots, and the directors of our best loved and most iconic films. Arguing against the assumption that only explicitly gay films are subject to gay readings, he looks at six classics and reads them for their queer potential. With both affection and scholarly rigor, he teases out the lesbian fantasy inherent inThe Wizard of Oz,the gay nightmare narrative ofThe Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,the bisexual erotics ofGentlemenPrefer Blondes,the queerness of Norman Bates, and even makes a compelling argument about Citizen Kane's dying word, "Rosebud." (Who knew?) seasoned critic with a personal voice, Alexander Doty is a scholar-fan who writes with both readerships in mind. This lively, opinionated, and playful look at the movies is a must-read for film buffs, and for anyone interested in gender, sexuality, and popular culture. One thing's for sure. After readingFlaming Classicsyou'll know you're definitely not in Kansas anymore.