Making of 'Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains' (2004 TV Short) User Reviews

A neat little retrospective documentary on the early 80's rock'n'roll cult favorite

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 20 November 2008]

This short'n'sweet little 12 minute documentary offers an enjoyable and informative look back at "Ladies and Gentleman, the Fabulous Stains," a funky teen rock'n'roll romp that flopped at the box office during its limited art-house theater release, but went on to amass a huge cult following due to several late-night cable TV airings in the early 80's. Various cast and crew members have interesting stories to share about the movie. Screenwriter Nancy Dowd admits she was inspired to write the script by both her own childhood and after seeing the Ramones in concert, plus candidly discusses being grossly mistreated by several crew members on the set of the movie (she eventually attributed her script credit to the pseudonym Rob Morton). Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols confesses he had a heroin habit when he did the film and Fee Waybill of the Tubes likewise reveals he smoked pot during the shooting of the picture. Diane Lane relates that her inability to sing helped her portray the rebellious character of insolent adolescent punk singer Corrine "Third Degree" Burns and was mortified by her revealing skimpy wardrobe. Noted punk journalist Caroline Coon talks about her role as consultant; she devised the look and costumes for the Stains. Actress Christine Lahti gets the biggest laugh when she admits she has yet to see the picture in its entirety (!). Director Lou Adler took over a year to edit the film in post-production and future horror scream queen Debbie Rochon was twelve and homeless when she got a gig as an extra in the flick. Moreover, this movie's cult status with punk musicians (Courtney Love is a major fan of this film!) is also addressed. Essential viewing for all you fans of the Stains (I know you're out there, I can hear you shrieking "Waste of Time").

About the claim of molestation ...

[oldog73 · 6/10 · 12 January 2019]

I worked on the movie that this doc is about as a focus puller on B camera. Nancy Dowd indicated an interest in me at one point and I was flattered and went for it. We had a thing during the movie and for a brief time afterwards. She claims in this doc to have been molested by a "camera operator," which was news to me. I don't know how this could have happened without me knowing about it as we were together most of the time away from set, and of course I was there on set all the time. She never said anything to me about it. I don't know if this is an attempt to deny our "affair," but if it is she got my position wrong, among other things. And also if it is there's no question of any "molestation," she initiated, and we went on for a few months. Don't know what the story is here.