To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar S3E2 Cade and Kit

Season 3 of Cade & Kit is all about “Stories That Stick” — and this week, Cade brought a bold, joyful, and unexpectedly moving pick to the table: To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. Kit had never seen it. Cade swore it would hold up. What followed was a glowing, sequin-filled surprise.In this 1995 cult classic, three drag queens — Miss Vida Boheme (Patrick Swayze), Noxeema Jackson (Wesley Snipes), and Chi-Chi Rodriguez (John Leguizamo) — embark on a cross-country road trip that breaks down (literally and emotionally) in a small rural town. What begins as a fish-out-of-water comedy slowly reveals itself as a story about dignity, transformation, and chosen family.🎥 The FormatThis episode follows the Season 3 structure: one host picks a film that shaped them, and the other watches it for the first time. The magic lives in the friction — and in this case, the joy of rediscovery. Cade shares why this film meant so much as a teenager and reflects on what it feels like to watch it decades later, with fresh eyes.✅ What Makes It WorkLet’s start with the cast. All three leads are playing against type — and thriving. Swayze brings depth and gentleness to Vida that’s unexpected but utterly sincere. Wesley Snipes leans into charisma and comedy as Noxeema. And John Leguizamo steals the show with Chi-Chi’s radiant vulnerability.The performances never tip into caricature. Cade notes how groundbreaking it felt at the time to see drag queens as protagonists with full emotional arcs. The film is steeped in tenderness. It's not interested in mockery. It’s interested in grace — and giving its queens space to heal and to help.Kit was surprised by the structure. The town of Snydersville becomes the real stage, and the queens’ presence transforms it. Instead of action or plot-driven stakes, it’s about micro-connections — the shy woman regaining her confidence, the local mechanic opening his heart, the cop who gets exactly what he deserves.The script has its 90s quirks but leans earnestly into kindness. Even the film’s name — a line scribbled on a framed photo of Julie Newmar — becomes a thesis. Glamour can be guidance. Joy can be generosity.⚠️ What Doesn’t LandThere are a few rough patches. Some jokes feel dated. The pacing in the third act wobbles. The town’s transformation happens a little fast to be fully believable. And the film skirts around deeper queer identity politics that might be more explored in a contemporary retelling.🎯 The VerdictCade cried multiple times. Kit said, “This is what comfort cinema looks like when it also wants to say something.” The film manages to be celebratory without being naïve. And it reminded both hosts how powerful it can be to walk into a room — or a town — as your full, unapologetic self.📺 Where to WatchTo Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar is currently streaming on Apple TV and Amazon Prime (rental). Physical copies are out there too — with some glorious DVD bonus features.🍿 Pair This Movie With...A lavender cocktail, a mirrorball, and someone who makes you feel like you can say the thing you’ve been holding in all week. Or maybe a rewatch of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert if you want to keep the drag road trip vibes going.Next week, Kit returns the favor with a pick of her own: a movie Cade’s never seen — and one that might bring up just as many feelings. See you then.This episode was brought to you by...https://fayahathletics.com/en-caValerie Dyke— Combined Insurance https://www.combinedinsurance.com/us-en/https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-dyke-116333259?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app🎧 Spotify: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2kaH2BpUcEouX5LWCUQ7ed?si=ff1e2b355c5944e1🍏 Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cade-and-kit/id1771553610📸 Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://instagram.com/cadeandkithttps://[email protected]