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The Great Masquerade

Name: The Great Masquerade
Director: Alan Ormsby
Released: 1974
Duration: 85 min

Representation Score

4.9/10

Fair

1974

Director

Alan Ormsby

Runtime

85 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The Great Masquerade offers a unique perspective on gender performance for its time by centering its plot on a drag beauty contest. This provides visibility into gender-bending subcultures that were often sidelined in 1970s cinema. However, the film remains tied to traditional crime genre conventions. The use of an undercover law enforcement narrative suggests that queer elements may serve primarily as plot devices rather than deep explorations of identity. While it disrupts traditional gender roles, the lack of visible racial diversity and the absence of disability representation limit its overall impact on inclusivity.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Great Masquerade have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film focuses on a drag-queen beauty contest, highlighting non-traditional gender expressions. However, the undercover cop storyline might portray these queer spaces as merely settings for crime rather than authentic communities.

How does The Great Masquerade portray gender?

Good

By focusing on drag performances, the film challenges traditional masculine authority through parody. Even though the subversion serves a crime procedural plot, it still disrupts conventional gender roles.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Great Masquerade?

Limited

The film seems to follow the homogeneous casting practices typical of mid-1970s studio productions. There is no indication of a diverse or non-Anglo-Saxon majority cast.

How does The Great Masquerade represent religion and culture?

Fair

The cruise ship setting acts as a liminal space where social norms are suspended. The plot explores the tension between legal institutions and underground subcultures through drug smuggling activities.

Does The Great Masquerade include disability representation?

Minimal

There is no visible evidence of characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Present on Screen

Focuses on drag performance and non-traditional gender expressions.
Challenges traditional masculine authority through gender-fluid presentation.
Uses a liminal cruise ship setting to explore social subversion.

Limited or Absent

Relies on undercover clichés that may marginalize queer spaces.
Lacks evidence of racial or ethnic diversity in the ensemble.
Provides no representation for characters with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Official Synopsis

In order to infiltrate a gang of drug smugglers, a cop is sent undercover to participate in a drag-queen beauty contest aboard a cruise ship.

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