This site is the most comprehensive on the web devoted to trans history and biography. Well over 1700 persons worthy of note, both famous and obscure, are discussed in detail, and many more are mentioned in passing.

There is a detailed Index arranged by vocation, doctor, activist group etc. There is also a Place Index arranged by City etc. This is still evolving.

In addition to this most articles have one or more labels at the bottom. Click one to go to similar persons. There is a full list of labels at the bottom of the right-hand sidebar. There is also a search box at the top left. Enjoy exploring!

13 August 2009

Francis Francine (? - ) film actor.

Frank di Giovanni, elevator operator, was the first of the Andy Warhol transvestite superstars.

Francine had been intended as the star of Flaming Creatures, 1962, but disappeared partway through filming, leaving Mario Montez the throne.

He was given star treatment in the Andy Warhol/Paul Morrissey film Lonesome Cowboys, 1968, as a the transvestite sheriff. The camera lingers as he puts on drag and makeup. This in a cowboy village partly owned by John Wayne.

He is the subject of Coming Attractions, a poignant documentary about growing old without much to look forward to.
  • Beverly Conrad (dir). Coming Attractions. With Francis Francine. US 78 mins 1970.
________________________________________________________________

One wonders if there is any connection with Francis Francine Hodgkiss? Had Frank di Giovanni perhaps caught her show and remembered her name? Maybe.

1 comment:

  1. On YouTube you can listen to Jack Smith read his short story "Les Evening Gowns Damnees" with musical accompaniment by Tony Conrad and Angus MacLise, a hilarious, warped and in the end touching tale of he and Francis - "hermaphrodite performer in carnivals and sideshows" - on a shopping expedition in Miami Beach for said evening gowns courtesy of some millionaire Francis met on the street while in drag. YouTube also has Normal Love, Smith's sequel to Flaming Creatures (a sort of Flaming Creatures down on the farm) which features Francis prominently. They also have a crappy print of Warhol's Lonesome Cowboys with Francine in and out of drag.

    ReplyDelete

Comments that constitute non-relevant advertisements will be declined, as will those attempting to be rude. Comments from 'unknown' and anonymous will also be declined. Repeat: Comments from "unknown" will be declined, as will anonymous comments. If you don't have a Google id, I suggest that you type in a name or a pseudonym.