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List Price: $19.95 | | Label: Rhino Entertainment
Salesrank: 22698
Released: September 16, 2008 |
| Our Price: $10.37 |
| Used Price: $6.97 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE FABULOUS STAINS never received a formal theatrical release and was only seen on late-night cable, poor-quality bootlegs, or on rare occasions at film festivals. Yet somehow this 1981 film about a trio of misfit teenage girls who start a punk band went on to inspire a generation of female rockers.
SHE CAN T FOOL ALL THE FANS ALL OF THE TIME . . .
Recently orphaned Corrine Third Degree Burns (a 14-year-old Diane Lane) enlists her cousin (Laura Dern) and sister (Marin Kanter) to launch a punk rock band, The Stains. Three rehearsals later, The Stains score the opening slot on a cross-country tour with aging metal act The Metal Corpses (led by Fee Waybill of The Tubes) and British punk rockers The Looters (real-life punk pioneers Paul Simonon from The Clash and Steve Jones and Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols). The Stains meteoric rise (and equally lightening-quick fall) owes more to TV exposure than to talent.
Description of Ladies And Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains:
Some movies just stumble towards cult, mythic status; Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains is one of those magnificent accidents. Besides in-fighting, the few previews shown to the public were unanimously panned, Paramount was at a loss as to how to market it, and the movie had never been available on DVD (or VHS, for that matter). This has just compounded its status as a "lost" film, with the few people who have seen it being evangelical in their gossip about this pseudo punk 'n' roll documentary. Now that it’s here, was it worth the wait? Does it hold up over time? You bet it does. Orphaned girls (Diane Lane, Marin Kanter) along with their cousin (Laura Dern) channel their frustration into a band, The Stains. After a few gigs, the media picks up what they consider a novelty. This leads to a tour with The Looters--idealistic punks from London--and the Metal Corpses (headed by Fee Waybil of the Tubes in a perfectly oblivious performance). Head Looter takes head Stain under his wing, only to become disillusioned as he watches the American media, and by extension American teens, chose popularity over talent (as he sees it). Despite their differing views about how the movie should be handled, both the message of girl empowerment (screenwriter Nancy Dowd) and the idea that all great ideas become co-opted and watered-down (director Lou Adler) resonate throughout the film. The performances, while not uniformly great, work so well within the context of the documentary style that they have their own charm. And Diane Lane, as Stain leader Corinne "Third Degree" Burns, is simply outstanding, simmering with angst that bursts out at all the right points. A young Ray Winstone turns in a fine performance as the lead singer of the Looters, showing both contempt and sensitivity towards the fledgling Stains. Adding to its cult credentials, the rest of the Looters are played by Steve Jones and Paul Cook (Sex Pistols) and Paul Simenon (The Clash). With audio commentaries by not only director Adler, but stars Lane and Dern, this movie is not only great for any fans of Times Square and Rock 'n' Roll High School, but it’s a great addition to any library of music films in general. --Robert Arambel
Ladies And Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains Reviews:
Scattershot and Only Occasionally Entertaining 
2009-12-15 - It's not easy to classify this film. It's part rock 'n' roll/media satire, part After School Special on post-feminism, occasionally silly, occasionally overly earnest. Some decent music, along with some very bad music, a VERY young Diane Lane, Laura Dern and Ray Winstone make the film interesting as a curio, but I doubt this 'band' will rock many people's worlds.
Great Characters, Great Soundtrack 
2009-07-21 - While not without its flaws, this flick features unforgettable dialogue and characters all backed by a rockin' soundtrack that really draws you into the world of the Stains.
I didn't know what to expect when I watched this film for the first time this weekend, but after watching it 3 times in a row I can almost recite it verbatim-it's that memorable.
Although the editing and flow of the story is kind of jumpy, you still can't help but be as captivated by the performances of The Stains and The Looters as their audiences are in the film. Truly captured is the raunch and struggles of the rock world (as we would imagine them) while keeping in touch with the inner struggles of the characters. Also, the supporting characters are played to great effect while never outshining the lead players.
The film isn't a parody like Spinal Tap, but neither is it as serious as something like Walk The Line. Humor is present in the film, being derived more from characterization than one-liners, but mostly the film is a study of rebelliousness fueled by hopelessness and desperation. Overall a very unique film that could only have been made when and how it was as a captured moment in time.
Of the two commentary tracks the one featuring Laura Dern and Diane Lane is by far the most informative and enjoyable. The enthusiasm the women share for the the film 20 years on is infectious and makes you realize that as 13 and 15 year olds these women almost believed they were rock stars, sometimes talking as if they really were on tour at the time.
If you're looking for a one of a kind rock and roll adventure ride, the Fabulous Stains is where it's at. Check it out!
Empowering 
2009-07-16 - I loved this as a teenager, and the girl power theme holds true today. The film played an important role in my formative years. Music by members of the Sex Pistols, The Clash, and The Tubes is a bonus. If you want your teenage girl to feel empowered, this is a great film for opening that discussion.
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!
2009-07-10 - Great film...great music...too bad the sound track has never been released (even though the film's credits say that it's available). Punk out!
An awkward monster
2009-07-04 - I caught this on TCM the same day I saw 'The Filth and the Fury' for the first time, so it was novel to see Paul Cook, Steve Jones, and Paul Simonon (Clash) on the job. But what a strange message. Not that I haven't heard of bands hacking out careers on image alone, or stolen songs--that still happens, but it's hardly a virtue. This movie really only has four songs: intentional crap by the Metal Corpses, a great song by The Looters that is stolen and regurgitated, one more song by The Looters and the obnoxious first ditty by the Stains. So really, just one good song that is overused. Plus some bits of reggae on the bus radio. Ultimately it seems this movie has nothing to do with punk rock, everything to do with coming to terms with your own hypocrisy and the corruption of self and others. It is remarkable to see Diane Lane and Laura Dern at such an age. They were practically kids! But plenty of screen presence. And Ray Winstone is great. But overall, I can barely give it a pass. Seems to be a wasted opportunity. Glad to finally see it, though.
