Craig Highberger
Jackie's play "Glamour, Glory and Gold: the Life and Legend of Nola Noonan, Goddess and star!" (which has to be the longest title ever) was written and originally produced in 1967 and also 1968 featuring Candy Darling and Robert DeNiro in their first major roles on the stage. The 1974 revival at the Fortune Theater opened the night of Candy Darling's wake – she had died of cancer the night before. The play is very derivative of old movies, but is at times both a satire and a tribute. The lead character Nola Noonan tastes of fame and is immediately hopelessly addicted (which is really Jackie's story). In the 1974 revival, Jackie played Nola and Douglas Fisher (billed as Estelle R. Dallas) played her sidekick, Toulouse de la Beaupres. Ron Link, who directed Jackie in "Glamour, Glory and Gold" and in "Cabaret in the Sky" was from Columbus, Ohio and was an extra in a scene shot at the gay bar Julius for the film version of "Boys in the Band". Ron, who was also known for directing Divine in "Neon Woman", left New York for Hollywood in the 1980s where he directed plays. He died tragically in 1999 after routine gall bladder surgery.
I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to videotape the entire play over several nights in May 1974. Jackie's stage presence was phenomenal. With his hair grown out and died red, some pancake makeup, false eyelashes and lipstick and a 1930s thrift shop dress Jackie became a completely believable feminine presence. The revival opened to glowing reviews. Critics praised Jackie's perrformance as perfectly nuanced and the script as worshipful, understanding and devastating honest about its source material. One reviewer called the show a penetrating analysis of what it's really like to live a dream 24 hours a day, never quite reaching the ring on the merry-go-round.That was Jackie's life and it is very sad that the play hasn't been performed in more than two decades.
I went out with Jackie and Douglas many times for late night partying after performances of "Glamour, Glory and Gold". Jackie was a powerhouse of energy holding court at Max's Kansas City's backroom – maybe he was high on amphetamine or something other than booze, maybe he was over-the-top loud and boisterous sometimes, but who cared? Jackie was the best live entertainment in the world and swept you up in his magic. Both men and women were attracted to Jackie, but when he was not in drag many straight men were put off by his feminine qualities. However, when Jackie was in drag they wouldn't hesitate to interact with him.
Superstar in a Housedress, the award winning film [DVD] and book documentary set is available through amazon.com or look in the sidebar links for lots of fabulous Jackie Curtis material including posters signed by Highberger and Holly Woodlawn
Photograph: Jackie Curtis, 1983(c) Craig B. Highberger.
Excerpt from "Superstar in a Housedress" by Craig B. Highberger (c) 2005, used by permission.