Almost 40 years ago, the decision-makers at Twentieth Century Fox must have been high when they agreed to undertake Myra Breckinridge (grave-digging allusion fully intended). Having recently declared its sexual revolution in the 1960s, perhaps America might be ready for film that climaxes (pun unavoidable) in a transsexual rape scene. They were wrong.

Producer David Brown admits that this gender-bending 1970 film was a mistake from beginning to end. He says he is probably one of only two people in the entire world who actually enjoyed it, the other being his co-producer. But he’s wrong, of course. Despite its monumental flaws, Myra has become a cult classic as the most notorious X-rated flop ever released by a major studio.

It certainly didn’t fail for a lack of star power. Mae West was pulled out of retirement and promised top billing to co-star with Raquel Welch, Rex Reed and John Huston. Director Michael Sarne had his hands full with two divas on the set. West refused to appear in any frame with Welch and tried to dictate her wardrobe. He’s actually lucky that newcomer Farrah Fawcett (who appears semi-nude) wasn’t a star yet, else he would have needed three hands – or more. Look for lively cameos by John Carradine (as a chain-smoking surgeon), Jim Backus and Andy Devine, as well as the film debut of Tom Selleck in a tiny, tiny part as one of Mae West’s studs.

Gore Vidal, author of the book upon which the mayhem is based, is said to have disowned any association with the movie. Pity. It might have benefited from his assistance on the script. But before you get the impression I didn’t like this (so bad it’s good?), let me say that there are two reasons to get hold of the DVD (remastered in 2003): To see/hear Mae West sing “Hard to Handle” and to watch the AMC Backstory feature on the flip side of the disc. Fascinating. Insightful. And dare I say it? Enjoyable!

This doesn’t work on any level – camp, comedy, satire, so “bad it’s good”, even pretentious art film. And it commits the biggest sin of all – it’s boring. But I do give Raquel credit for taking on this role.

I am not sure how this movie was ever made, but with Rachel Welch, playing a transvestite how could you go wrong? The rest of the cast includes John Huston, Rex Reed, Mae West, Farrah Fawcett, and Tom Selleck. Whaaaaat!