Historic Films Stock Footage Archive: LB-9

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00:53:08 2.72	Slate NY Nite Life Barkley 5-15-80
00:54:50 104.27	PANS TO ALEX & CORY, TWO BLACK MALE TRANSVESTITES.DRAG. CROSS DRESSER. FEMALE IMPERSONATOR DRINKING CHAMPAGNE AT DISCO
00:57:02 236.27	Slate and two Black male tranvestites in drag, Alex and Cory. Interview begins with Lynn Barkley (unseen)
00:57:04 239.02	Speaker 1 All right now, we, I have a couple of interesting questions I'd like. Can you smile at all Speaker 2 Alex I'm not going to. Speaker 1 That's a damn lie. Speaker 2 Alex I'm not going to Speaker 1 That's a damn lie. Let me ask you though, what compels you to dress up in woman's clothes? Speaker 2 Alex To me it's like walking advertisement to advertise that I'm jealous in New York. I'm a designer who designs evening wear Speaker 1 How long does it take you to design something like this? Speaker 2 Alex it all depends on what I'm designing. Something like this. It can take me anywhere from two to three hours. Speaker 1 Does it turn you on to wear women's clothes? Speaker 2 Alex Not really, but I love turning some other people on Speaker 1 You don't get excited by it. Speaker 2 Alex not really. unless i'm going to probably like close my own fashion show something and then I get excited doing that.
00:57:05 239.27	ALEX AND CORY, 2 BLACK MEN DRESSED AS WOMEN. DRAG QUEEN. CROSS DRESSER. FEMALE IMPERSONATOR. TALK ABOUT SPANDEX. WHAT KEEPS PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE ROPES? COMPLAINS THAT IMMIGRANTS ARE GETTING HIS JOB. BITTER DRAG QUEEN. CLOTHING DESIGNER.
00:57:47 282.15	Speaker 1 And why do you wear women's clothes Cory? Speaker 3 Cory Because it makes me feel free and happy. And then I'm Alexander's model. House model Speaker 1 At his house or out in public . Do you ever feel intimidated by going to public places like this dressed like that? Speaker 3 Cory No, no, Speaker 2 Alex no because my friend gives me a surprise birthday dinner at Tavern on the Green. And this is my birthday dress that I wore and the people they were intimidating especially a guy who was very upset because he couldn't do drag. Speaker 3 Cory very upset. Speaker 1 Made straight men get turned off by Speaker 2 Alex No some get turned on please Speaker 3 Cory some like to talk give phone numbers, and we still turn them away. Speaker 2 alex Like I met one here who when they meet it and Cory both leave with him but I refused because he said he wanted us to go to breakfast and he wants to see us for brunch. And he wants us to be random dressed in daytime. I do not do this in the daytime and I don't come out every single night in a dress
00:58:48 342.47	Speaker 3 Cory this is only for advertising for Alexander. And that's only at night but not in the daytime. Speaker 1 Well, how do you dress in the daytime? Speaker 3 and 2 regular mail. Regular male drag. Speaker 1 That's how you dress in the daytime? Yeah, I mean conservative male. Yeah. Do you ever fall in love in a disco? Speaker 2 Alex Disco? No. Speaker 1 What do you find? It is ah Speaker 2 Alex lovely people but not love. You don't find love in a disco? It's like a one night thing? Speaker 3 Cory Yeah. Speaker 2 Alex boom boom. 1,2,3. That's it. Of all the people that I know that found love in a disco Let's say out of the 50% maybe 10% are together now. Speaker 1 Well, what do you find in the disco at night? Speakers 2 & 3 Freaks? Freaks. That's all Speaker 1 Freaks in what manner? Speaker 2 Alex Fun, free. F Speaker 1 Fun freaks. Why do you design clothes? And who do you design them for??
00:59:45 399.82	Speaker 2 Alex I design clothes to make a living. And I designe for special customers. Like I have five good women that I design for. And I'm working on two or three more. And I have a wedding to do June 7th. Speaker 1 What would you classify these clothes as? Speaker 2 Alex high culture. Speaker 1 Say that again? Speaker 2 Alex High couture Speaker 1 Campy? Speaker 2 06:57 No, not campy. when I'm in them theyre campy. But other than that, high couture.. Speaker 1 You once said to me that you I mean I want you to relay this back to me. you oncet said to me that the reason you wear your clothes is because you can't find any women to wear them as sexy as you do. Now, if you can say that back to me, it was really beneficial. Speaker 2 Alex True true. . I mean I can't find the girl, I can find the girls, but I just can't get the girls to come out as often as I do to wear them. So I just said when I had a fashion show at Xenon, I decided well, I would put some clothing in the show and then Howard Stein said to me why don't you wear one of your own pieces. And I was kind of leery but then I said oh what the hell. And I let Cory open up the show for me. And then I closed it and everyone loved it. So I said well, from now on when I do disco fashion shows I'll let Cory open and I'll close it. And the latest show that I did was at Magique, here at Magique, where Cory opened it up for me and then I send the girls down behind Cory and then I closed in a bridal gown which went over very well because the Soho News called me the next day and wanted to know to know who and whether it was I who did that.
01:01:11 485.66	Speaker 1 How would you classify yourself? Are you a bizarre character? Alex Yes. Speaker 1 Can you tell me that? Cory Yes, I'm a very bizarre character. Speaker 1 How about you Cory? Speaker 3 Cory I'm avant garde. Speaker 1 That's great. Okay, one second. Dancing on the dance floor. All the spin and turn in the body's movements. Do you think thats sexually stimulating Do you think it's a put on or do you believe it's at all real directed for one another? Speaker 2 Alex It's not sexual stimulating for me maybe for someone looking at me. Because I find some people that I watch dancing you know the average person including myself can get attracted to by the way the dance Speaker 1 so you get turned on to people by the way dance. (Alex: right) Does is it sexually stimulating to you and your partner if you dance provocatively with one another? Alex Not that I know of Speaker 1 Cut.
01:02:09 544.23	Slate Alex & Cory take 13
01:02:12 546.84	Speaker 1 Let me ask you something Cory. What effects do the lights have on you? Speaker 3 Cory They make me look good. That are being Oh yes. I look too good. Speaker 1 Does it turn you on?. (Cory: Yes). The music and lights pulsating back and forth together does that stimulate any sexual urges or drives in you Alex sexual urge? Cory Me no Alex lies. sexual urge on this one? No.
01:02:42 576.7	Speaker 1 Does he get excited when the lights pop on Cory too excited. Speaker 1 What kind of effect does it have on you? Cory Alex. He wants to be too cute. Let's put it that way. Speaker 2 Alex It's just that when I wear something loud and colorful, it works well. Speaker 1 Where do you where do you position yourself in a room full of flashing lights? 09:55 Any places where I can be in a single spot just start spinning around in the air Alex Any place where i can be in a spot where i can start spinning around in the air. Cory Be seen Speaker 1 He's an exhibitionist then. Alex Well you can say that but. Speaker 1 Oh you;re not? I've seen your stand in spotlights down there and the only spot that's on, you find it. Isn't it a fact that you want to be an exhibitionist? Alex Yes. Speaker 3 he knows he has a fabulous, fabulous dress. And he knows he looks good. So of course, he must stand up under this bright bright spotlight but don't try it Speaker 1 Is this like your moment to to jump up on stage and be a star for a moment? Alex No. Oh, oh wait a minute, yes. Yes. That's what I'm talking about.(Speaker 1 I don't know.) Yeah, it is my moment. I mean, other than being in my house and his bedroom coordinating a dress, I mean, this phone rings and they say Alex there is a party or something going him in the clouds and I open up the closet
01:03:59 654.19	Film cuts out to white. then Slate, Alex and Cory, Take 14
01:04:07 661.68	Speaker 1 What effect do you think disco nightlife has had on the fashion industry? Alex It's had a great effect. Speaker 1 In what manner? Speaker 2 Alex Spandex clothing for instance, I mean, they made so much money by doing a lot of spandex outfits, very colorful, very bright. But me, I hate spandex. I hate it. Disgusting. You have to have the perfect body for it. Speaker 1 You think disco started a trend at all in the entire industry of fashion. Alex It started a sort of a trend. Yeah. Speaker 1 Well, prior to that everybody was wearing Brooks Brothers suits and so forth Speaker 2 Alex exactly, until mainly with Studio because Studio 54 believe it or not was my first disco that I'd been to. the very first. And that's when I got started with a lot of the tulling costumes as everybody else is getting excited and getting dressed outrageous. So why not join in the fun? Speaker 1 Yeah, it was a great period of self expression wasn't it? Speaker 2 Alex right. And a lot of people expressed it very good. And so did I and Speaker 1 is that basically when you started to come out? Speaker 2 Alex What do you mean by come out? Oh, do you mean an outfit? Oh, yeah. Speaker 1 Basically, studio 54 allowed you certain liberties. Speaker 2 Alex Right, Getting dressed up in a costume and coming out and feeling free to do it. Being seen and I did just that.
01:05:36 750.27	Speaker 1 What do you think studio? What what who do you think the impact of Studio had on the New York nightlife? Alex A Great impact. But uh it had its limits. Speaker 1 Well, I mean, for the first time 1000s of people were there able to participate and be a part of a scene and walk into an atmosphere that allowed yourself and many others to totally sign freedom, right? Yes. No. How did that give you? I mean, what happened to you? What impact did it have on you? Alex That same impact to just let myself go. Just let it all hang out. Cory To be free. Alex Hang loose, carry on. Cory Have fun. Speaker 1 Were you ever dancing to that degree before? Speaker 2 Yes. But I carried on like at big social affairs. As far as at affairs that my mother and father used to go to. I would carry on like that in a suit or a tuxedo. And at several times I wanted to go in something outrageous, but they wouldn't allow it. Speaker 1 So basically, disco gave you that? Alex: right and I got to meet a lot of people who wanted the same thing. So it was like, we had our own little clique. Speaker 1 And do you think disco nightlife has allowed you to become a designer who designs whatever you consider a design> Speaker 2 Alex Yes, yes. Because when certain parties come up, I said I need certain outfits. And I went to the store buy fabric and make the outfit. Speaker 1 Do you go through a lot of preparation in getting ready to go out for a night? Alex Other than picking up something I'm going to wear and doing makeup no Speaker 1 I mean, you don't go through a lot of preparation. (Alex: NO) You just have a whole closet full of these dresses.
01:07:27 861.42	Alex Yeah. Speaker 1 You do? Alex I just pull open the closet door and then all the kind of linen, taffeta, and chiffon just explodes. And then I start and then models will call me up for the same thing and I'm on the phone in the closet. And then it's a fashion show for my grandmother who I live who is 82 years old. Speaker 1 Do you have a phone in your closet? Alex No it's right next to the closet. Speaker 1 I see. Uh what do you think about, do you ever go into a ladies bathroom? Speaker 2 Alex All the time. Cory: Not to use it. Speaker 2 Alex I go into there to gab with the girls. Speaker 1 What do you talk about in the ladies room? Speaker 3 Cory Men. What else do you talk about in the ladies room? Speaker 2 Alex Cory talks about men and I just look at the women that coming in there and now and their outfits and they look at me and give me attitude, I look at them and give them attitude. And then I read them Speaker 1 What do you mean by read them? Speaker 2 & 3 Tell him that about themselves and what they look like Speaker 2 and what they should look like. I tell them I am what you're supposed to look like when you come out. And it's a shame. Speaker 1 How do they receive your comments? Speaker 2 Alex Very, some take it as an insult. Others take it as well we should follow your advice, make me something that we wear out. Cory: True
01:08:39 934.21	Speaker 1 So you think they should be more flamboyant, more expressing themselves Speaker 2 Alex flamboyant, but comfortable. Because every outfit I wear it is not comfortable, believe me. Cory But it's lovely. Speaker 1 It is lovely. What effects is lights have on you when you're out dancing? I asked you that question, but I want to repeat it. Speaker 2 15:55 It has a good effect. I mean, it picks up the colors in the outfit and the way I spin and carry on. So Right. I try not to get in the right light. Speaker 1 Is there anywhere else you'd rather live than New York? Alex Paris, where I'm going in September Speaker 3 Cory Rome. Because it's quiet. And I'm tired of the city hustle and bustle day to day life of the city. I really can't take it. Alex But you don't get the same men that you get here, Speaker 3 Cory But they're lovely in Rome, the men. Speaker 1 What do people come to discos for? Speaker 2 Alex 1:09:36 Some people come to look, some come to meet people, especially these girls that they can pick up the young girls Speaker 3 And trying to meet to meet a rich husband to take them away from whatever they're doing. Speaker 2 And some just come just to come and have a good time. But those who come to have a good time are the ones that they leave outside the velvet rope. Speaker 1 Is that true? Speaker 2 Yeah I think so. Because those are the ones that come in and stand at the bar and they drink and look and they a Speaker 3 Cory cruise around.
01:10:06 1021.04	Speaker 1 What do you think keeps people on the outside of the rope? Speaker 3 Cory Their looks. Speaker 2 Alex I think about that from time to time. I really, really do. Speaker 1 IWhy do you think certain people get in and certain people don't Speaker 2 Alex I think certain people get in because they look as though they can come in and make the place look lively and jump. I mean, really have a good time. And some Speaker 3 Cory just look like they want to come in just to spectate. to see what's going on. Speaker 2 Alex and then some look like they would come in to goof Speaker 1 Cory, what do you come to discotheques for? Speaker 3 Show off Alexander's dresses, and to have a good time Alex that's not true. Speaker 1 What do you come to discotheques for Alexander? Speaker 2 Alex To meet people and to have a good time Speaker 1 What do you consider having a good time? Speaker 2 Alex Carrying on, (Speaker 3 meeting people) getting ? to stop spinning which some people getting very upset. Because I've had it happen here several times with a couple of people here in the club.
01:11:06 1080.27	Speaker 1 How late do you stay up in the discos dancing. Speaker 2 Alex It all depends on the party, the crowd and the music. Sometimes I'll stay up in a disco at least until 4 - 430. Speaker 1 Could you say that again? Alex Till 4 - 4:30. 5:00 Speaker 1 you don't walk out when it's daylight? Alex Daylight? Yeah, sometimes daylight Speaker 1 Cory do you always talk in that tone of voice. Cory Yes. Of course. People can't believe it. Speaker 1 What? What do you do in the daytime? Speaker 3 Cory I'm a social worker. And I go to, I'm a student in school Speaker 1 What do you study in school? Cory Social Work, and I'm about to graduate next semester .
01:11:50 1124.95	Speaker 2 Alex Can you believe that, social work? And I think he's straight. Speaker 3 Cory My voice. Speaker 2 Alex And they think he's straight. Cory Definitely. Are you ready? Tell me how they can people be? 1:12:02 Slate Take 15 Speaker 2 Alex okay, she's a scream. (Cory:She loves it.) When are you gonna get dressed up and walk out the house and I'm gonna sit by the window and watch the people follow you across the street Speaker 3 cory for me I go home dressed up and my parents have a fit, they hate it but I don't care. I'm still going to do it. Speaker 2 Alex I mean it's something that they have to live there he says oh please pay mistake please mistake paying Yeah, she's 82 years old. I mean she has nothing else to do but to complain about the sewing threads and madness in and out of the room. And um oh, that's nice, that's too much nothing like that. Everything that I make I put it on, I walk in to the room and I let her see it. And she looks she'll tell me whether something is too much or shows too much. it needs a skinny girl, somebody as skinny as me to wear it, somebody tall. Why can and she's always like, why can't you sell that stuff in New York? Why can't you sell it? I mean look at the magazines, but I try to explain to her those people in magazines and books are people have a name in order to get accepted. You know, as far as being a high Fashion Designer with only women's evening wear and this outrageous. I mean, you're gonna have to go away someplace and come back with a really strong name and a really strong line. But other than that my mother and my father they look and say carry on.
01:13:21 1215.86	Speaker 1 Why is there more freedom to express oneself in New York nightlife than anywhere else in the world? Speaker 2 Alex I don't know about the New York nightlife, because I haven't been anyplace else but in New York, so I really can't answer that question. Speaker 1 Don't you feel there's a lot of freedom in New York Alex Yes, too much freedom. Speaker 3 Cory That's why I stay in New York, New York. Speaker 2 Alex Too much freedom. I mean, people have came from other European countries that came here and found designers jobs that I can't get, and I get up 11 o'clock every day, unless I have something to do as far as seeing photographer or shooting or something like that with some models and I just can't believe how they can just come over here and swipe up a job and I'm born and raised over here, and I still can't get. But it can be expressed in many different ways, many different ways.
01:14:13 1268.12	Speaker 1 I've got a question. If there's any no, I'm not. We're still talking. Is there anything that you'd like to say about the disco world? Speaker 4 Unknown interviewer What if you went someplace and you didn't have nightlife? Like, let's say you went Alex I'll die. I'll die. If I went someplace and didn't have nightlife? I'd have a fit. I would absolutely have a fit. I mean, I'd stay busy. I mean, sketching and cutting, but then I couldn't, Speaker 1 you'd have no way to express yourself. Alex Exactly. Speaker 1 If you tell me that it'd be much better. Speaker 2 Alex Exactly. Well, I wouldn't have no place to express myself if there weren't discos or disco night life. No way. Unless I walk the street like that in the daytime which would be a good goof. Cory The best of my people Speaker 1 It would be great. Speaker 2 Alex Which I plan on doing when I go to Paris because when I go to Paris, I'm going to dress like this and I'm going to all the big shows and I'm going to jump on the runway and wear my own dress, Cory and I both. Speaker 1 Fabulous fabulous Alex I'm just so that's something you'll be looking for
01:15:21 1335.87	End