Influential Cult Classic LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE FABULOUS STAINS Makes Long-Awaited DVD Debut
The 1981 Film Stars Diane Lane and Laura Dern Alongside Punk Rockers Steve Jones and Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols & Paul Simonon of the Clash.
First Title from Rhino's Rock 'N' Roll Cinema Series Due September 16
LOS ANGELES -- LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE FABULOUS STAINS received a limited initial theatrical release and has been seen only on television and occasionally at film festivals. The movie has never been released on home video or DVD. Yet this 1981 film about a trio of misfit teenage girls who start a punk band went on to inspire a generation of female rockers like Bikini Kill, L7 and Courtney Love. On September 16, Rhino will revive this lost classic with the DVD release of LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE FABULOUS STAINS. The DVD will be available through Ryko Distribution. The pre-order date is September 5.
Directed by Lou Adler (Up In Smoke) and produced by Joe Roth, the film stars Diane Lane and Laura Dern as members of The Stains, along with Steve Jones and Paul Cook of The Sex Pistols, Clash bassist Paul Simonon, Fee Waybill of the Tubes, Black Randy from Black Randy and The Metrosquad, plus Ray Winstone and Christine Lahti.
Surly and sexy in one of her earliest starring roles, Lane is the archetype riot grrl. Sporting a memorable skunk hairdo, she sings songs like "I'm A Waste Of Time," verbally assaults the audience and leads her legion of adoring female fans in the chant, "We don't put out!"
Filled with great rock and roll, it's no surprise that much of the film's underground following consists of musicians. Bikini Kill drummer Tobi Vail has said: "It is the most realistic and profound film I have ever seen."
The DVD will feature the film restored from original vault elements as well as special new audio commentaries from Diane Lane, Laura Dern and Lou Adler.
Rock 'n' roll movies have existed for almost as long as rock 'n' roll music. When they perfectly capture the mood of the moment -- or a star-making performance -- these films take on a life of their own. Rhino's new Rock 'N' Roll Cinema line spotlights the best of these features, and THE FABULOUS STAINS is the perfect film to kick-start the series.
The cast of this indie gem is what first sticks out: Diane Lane as leader of the all-female Stains; bandmate Laura Dern; a punk band featuring Paul Simonon, Steve Jones, and Paul Cook; Fee Waybill fronting a dreadful Kiss knock-off; and Christine Lahti as the alcoholic aunt who has an unexpected moment of Learning And Growing.
Fabulous Stains is the kind of rock n’ roll satire that ranks up there with The Girl Can’t Help It. The Stains set out from their dreary industrial town seeking fame and, as can only happen in the movies, find it virtually overnight; their new fashion look, a song pinched from a rival, and a dose of well-timed TV exposure provide the basis for a bona fide movement. Ah, but at what cost? Predictably, it’s the backstabbing, rip-offs and fickle fans (but, oddly, no substance abuse). Yet smartly updated for the post-punk/new wave era with an additional obstacle of sexism. And there’s another scene you’d never see in these PC times: a pregnant teen knocking back a shot of liquor. Classic in every sense.
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