Well, there was that gangster movie with all the characters played by children.

Bugsy Malone was great fun (Betsy already pointed out the bloop guns). And, it was directed by Alan Parker, who also directed one of my all-time faves, The Commitments.

"We tripped the light fantastic, turned cartwheels 'cross the floor, I was feeling kinda seasick, but the crowd called out for more. 'That's very profound, Jimmy--what does it mean?' I'm fooked if I know!"

And Jodie Foster as the Mae West character. Rrrrrrrow!

Bugsy Malone: Life on the Street?

What's Stage Beauty about, juliana? I vaguely recall seeing a review that made it look interesting, but I can't remember anything about it.

Not Juliana, but it's about Billy Crudup as an Elizabethan actor who spends most of his time in drag, IIRC.

And for that reason it's at the top of my list. mm-mmm.

IIRC it's about the time when having female stage actors was legalized.

Oh yeeeessssss. I definitely want to see that one.

Not Juliana, but it's about Billy Crudup as an Elizabethan actor who spends most of his time in drag, IIRC.

Indeed. To be precise, he's the last great male actor of female roles on the English stage. His dresser is Claire Danes, and she's the first female onstage after Charles Stuart makes the declaration. Sort of A Star Is Born meets Shakespeare In Love. The real draw, however, is Crudup. He's bloody amazing. Watching as he switches gender in his head and seeing the control he has over his body was an entire lesson on acting.

NPR did something on this. Apparently the Claire Danes character does a good imitation of Crudup's character's impersonation of a woman. Which actually works badly, as Crudup's character exaggerates female characteristics so much (like a drag queen) that when she does it it just comes off wrong.

In'eresting....

Oh! Also, Rupert Everett plays King Charles, and there is a scene wherein His Majesty is in full drag. Fantastic.