Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean

Inside a decrepit Woolworth’s five-and-dime store 90 miles outside Marfa, Texas, a group of women, formerly the “Disciples of James Dean” fan club, reunite on the 20th anniversary of the actor’s death. Alternating between the present 1975, and intermittent flashbacks to 1955, a dirge of secrets, confessions, and breakdowns unfurl in dazzling, phrenetic, drunken hysteria. Adapted from Ed Graczyk’s stage play, the film features a youthful Cher as the town slut, Kathy Bates as a blow-hard bully, and arguably Sandy Dennis’ most stunning (ie: unhinged) performance. Karen Black’s ‘shocking’ reveal that she was formerly Joe, now Joanne, adds to the frenzy of dated “welcome to the freak show” vibes. Our presenting artist, poet CAConrad, has seen this film over 110 times.