Deckchair Cinema Series Opens with Punk Rock Cult Classic (June 27)

Polygon Gallery’s summertime outdoor Deckchair Cinema series opens on Thursday, June 27 at 9:30 p.m. with the low-budget, high-energy cult classic, “Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains” (LGFS). Made in Vancouver in 1980 the film stars fourteen-year-old Diane Lane and Laura Dern,13, as members of a fictional all-girl punk band, The Stains. Marin Kanter, at 20, made her film debut a memorable one as the third Stain. Bratmobile, Bikini Kill and other riot grrrl-era feminist punks claim LGFS influenced them to start their own bands.

The film was directed by LA music legend Lou Adler, from a script by (“Slap Shot,” “Coming Home”) screenwriter Nancy Dowd with UK journalist Caroline Coon as creative consultant. The latter documented the punk scene for the UK press and was the reason why Steve Jones and Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols, Paul Simonon from the Clash, and Vince Welnick and Fee Waybill from the Tubes were all part of the LGFS cast. Adler, who has been a mover and shaker on the music scene since the 1960s, only has one other directing credit, Cheech and Chong’s 1982 stoner comedy “Up in Smoke.”

Location shooting for the film included scenes at the newly built Coquitlam Centre Mall, Viking Hall (828 East Hastings Street), and The Penthouse nightclub. The production was unique from so many story angles that a documentary was made about the making of the movie. Sygma Photo News journalist Jean-Pierre Laffont also visited LGFS during production and shot a series of behind-the-scenes stills. The Deckchair Cinema series is presenting al fresco film screenings every Thursday night through Aug. 29. Admission is by donation.