After making Super-8 films as a teenager, Phillip R. Ford enrolled in San Francisco State University’s film program. While attending class, Ford met Philip Mills, better known as Doris Fish, a drag queen originally from Sydney. One night, Ford showed Fish and her wife, Lori Naslund, Trouble in Paradise, a Super-8 short he had filmed back in 1981. Doris was so impressed with Ford’s short film that she agreed to star in his next project, Rollercoaster to Hell. The student movie got tons of attention and was shown on KTVU’s Creature Features, where Ford announced his next film. Doris had aspirations of making it big in Hollywood and pitched Ford an idea for an outer-space musical comedy. Filming lasted between 1983 and 1984, but post-production took an additional seven years due to a lack of funds. After everything was said and done, Vegas in Space finally premiered in October 1991.
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Synopsis
In the 23rd century, Captain Dan Tracey (Doris Fish) and his Space Cadets receive a critical mission. Vel Croford, Empress of Earth (Miss X), instructs them to travel to the planet Kleetoeres to solve a jewel heist. However, only women are allowed on Kleetoeres, so Tracey and his men must take sex reassignment pills to blend in. Now, as women, Captain Tracy Daniels, Lt. Sheila Shadows (Ramona Fischer), and Lt. Debbie Dane (Lori Naslund) visit the Empress. According to Empress Nueva Gabor (Ginger Quest), her Girllinium gems, which maintain the planet’s orbit, have been stolen. The prime suspect is Veneer (Miss X), the planet’s queen of police, who agrees to work with Daniels. Helping out the ladies is Nueva’s Vice Empress, Princess Angel (Tippi), who secretly has an agenda. Who stole the Girllinium gems, will the ladies stop them, and what else will happen in Vegas in Space?
Review
Vegas in Space certainly earns its cult status just for how weird it is, especially with its intentionally tacky aesthetic. This movie was a labor of love, from the homemade sets and colorful costumes to the intentionally cheesy tone. Even if this was initially made as a vanity project for Doris Fish, you could tell the filmmakers cared. They spent the better part of a decade trying to get this film made, and that commitment is admirable. While made for a small budget, the filmmakers created a distinct, albeit tacky style that lends to the movie’s charm. The performances are over-the-top and campy, but that’s the vibe they were going for, and it works. The late Doris Fish shines as Dan Tracy/Tracey Daniels, the enigmatic leader who’s both strong and sassy. Her cohorts, Ramona Fisher and Lori Naslund, are appropriately ditzy and bubbly, which goes well with Fish’s attitude.
However, as goofy as the movie is, and while the people involved had fun, it’s a bit of a mess. For a film that’s 85 minutes long, there’s a lot of padding to reach feature length. There are several scenes where nothing plot-related happens, and characters talk endlessly, dragging the pacing to a crawl. Some jokes land, but unless you’re familiar with drag culture, most of the humor will be lost on you. It’s also weird to call this a musical since there’s only one musical number toward the movie’s end. Plus, the film plays it a bit too safe, considering it’s made by drag queens for drag queens. If you’re a fan of campy sci-fi, you might get some enjoyment here, but there are better options. Overall, Vegas in Space might appeal more to drag fans, but it’s only watchable as a curiosity.
Buy Vegas in Space from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UUvQPb.
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