This week on Queernundrum, we’re sharpening our swords and polishing our boots—or heels—for a deep dive into one of the campiest cult classics of the early ’80s. We won’t spoil the title (yet), but here’s a hint: it involves twin brothers, capes, color-coordinated costumes, and a whole lot of sass.

We explore how this outrageous comedy flipped the script on traditional heroism, bringing camp, queerness, and coded resistance to the silver screen—whether Hollywood was ready or not. We dig into the layered performance of George Hamilton, the brilliance of Brenda Vaccaro, the menace of Ron Leibman, and the cool glam of Lauren Hutton, tying it all to a time when queer representation had to sneak in through the back door of comedy.

And speaking of injustice—Gary doesn’t hold back when we talk about the recent and infuriating decision to rename the U.S. Navy ship originally dedicated to Harvey Milk. During Pride Month, no less. We reflect on what Milk’s legacy means today, how erasure still shows up in military and political spaces, and why visibility still matters—campy movies included.

Topics Covered:

• Queer-coded characters in 1980s films

• LGBTQ+ cinema history

• George Hamilton and dual roles in comedy

• The cultural impact of Zorro, The Gay Blade

• Camp as resistance

• Pride Month controversies

• Harvey Milk and LGBTQ+

Intro music by Jahzzar “Please Listen Carefully” “Jahzzar (betterwithmusic.com) CC BY-SA” and Outro music by Scott Holmes “Acoustic Indie Folk” @ scottianholmes@live.com.

Editor: H. Greystone via FinalCut Pro

Writer: G. Thoren

🎧 Stream now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your sassy social justice with a side of cinema.

💬 Follow us on BlueSky, Instagram, and Facebook—and don’t forget to guess the movie before the masks come off!

#Queernundrum #QueerCinema #PrideMonth #CampCulture #HarveyMilk #LGBTQHistory #ZorroButMakeItGay #PodcastWithPurpose

This week on Queernundrum, we are dialing into the mystique of the one and only Miss Cleo—the 90s TV psychic icon with a Jamaican accent, dramatic flair, and an unforgettable catchphrase: “Call me now!”

But behind the turbans and tarot cards was Youree Dell Harris, a queer Black woman, actress, and survivor who crafted a character that became both beloved and controversial.

Was Miss Cleo an empowering queer trailblazer or an exploitative figure wrapped in spiritual drag? Or… was she both?

Join us as we unravel:

• Miss Cleo’s true identity and late-in-life coming out
• Her unexpected role in leading Pride parades and representing queer resilience
• The tension between performance and deception in the name of survival
• Her place in the glittering, messy lineage of queer icons, divas, and camp legends

This episode is part queer history, part cultural autopsy, and part love letter to complicated legacies. Grab your crystal ball, press play, and let’s explore the queernundrum that is Miss Cleo.

Was she the oracle we needed? Tune in and find out.

In this episode of Queernundrum, we delve into the captivating story of Liz Carmichael, a transgender entrepreneur who, in the 1970s, promised to revolutionize the auto industry with a three-wheeled car called The Dale. Amid the energy crisis, Liz's Twentieth Century Motor Car Corporation claimed the vehicle would achieve 70 miles per gallon, capturing national attention. However, as media scrutiny intensified, so did questions about the car's viability and Liz's past.

We explore the intricate layers of Liz's life: her transition during a time of widespread transphobia, her run-ins with the law, and the media's obsession with her gender identity over her business dealings. The HBO docuseries The Lady and the Dale sheds light on how Liz's story was sensationalized, often overshadowing the systemic biases she faced as a trans woman in a male-dominated industry.

Join us as we discuss:

• The intersection of gender identity and entrepreneurship
• Media portrayal of trans individuals in the 20th century
• The fine line between innovation and deception

Resources & References:

• The Lady and the Dale – HBO
• Geraldine Elizabeth Carmichael – Wikipedia