Westerns with a Twist: Transvestite Tales

Description: While not a traditional western, its cult status and the character of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, who embodies gender fluidity, make it a unique addition to this list.

Fact: It's one of the longest-running theatrical releases in film history, with midnight screenings still popular today.

Description: While primarily a comedy, "Tootsie" includes elements of the western genre in its narrative, particularly in the soap opera scenes, and features a male actor playing a female role.

Fact: Dustin Hoffman's performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. The film also inspired a Broadway musical.

Description: This film, set in 1930s Paris, involves a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman, which resonates with the theme of gender fluidity and performance in the western context.

Fact: The film was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and Julie Andrews won the Golden Globe for Best Actress.

Description: Although set in Australia, this film's journey through the outback has a western feel, and its focus on drag queens and transvestites makes it a fitting inclusion.

Fact: The film won an Academy Award for Best Costume Design and has become a cult classic for its vibrant portrayal of drag culture.

Description: This film features drag queens on a road trip through small-town America, offering a western-like journey with themes of acceptance and identity.

Fact: The film stars Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, and John Leguizamo, and it was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

Description: While not set in the Wild West, this film's story of a shoe factory owner and a drag queen making boots for men who dress as women has a similar theme of challenging gender norms.

Fact: The film inspired a successful Broadway musical, and Chiwetel Ejiofor received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance.

Description: While not strictly a western, this film includes elements of the genre and features a transvestite character, making it an intriguing addition to this list. It explores themes of identity and performance.

Fact: The film was directed by Robert Aldrich, known for his work on "The Dirty Dozen." It was one of the last films of Kim Novak, who plays a dual role.

Description: Although not a western, this film's exploration of gender identity and its twist ending make it a compelling watch for those interested in the theme of transvestitism.

Fact: The film won the Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards, and its twist ending became a cultural phenomenon.

Description: This film tells the story of Josephine Monaghan, who disguises herself as a man to survive in the harsh environment of the American West, offering a unique take on gender roles in a western setting.

Fact: The film was inspired by the real-life story of Josephine Monaghan, who lived as a man in the 1800s. It was directed by Maggie Greenwald, known for her focus on strong female characters.

Description: This film, set in the 17th century, explores the transition from male actors playing female roles to women taking the stage, echoing themes of gender performance found in westerns.

Fact: The film stars Billy Crudup and Claire Danes, and it was based on the play "Compleat Female Stage Beauty."