Outrageous!

Outrageous!

Year: 1977

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Richard Benner

Comedy

Robin Turner, a gay hair stylist who supplies drag queens, longs to summon the courage to perform in drag himself. His schizophrenic friend Liza shows up needing a place to stay; the two quickly become close. Robin supports Liza through an unexpected pregnancy, while Liza encourages him to launch a nightclub act, propelling both toward their dreams.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Outrageous! (1977)

Trace every key event in Outrageous! (1977) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Robin's dream to perform on stage

Robin Turner is a capable hairdresser who does hair and makeup for local drag shows but longs to get up on stage himself. His dream frames the story and drives his every decision. The setting centers on backstage glam and the desire for a larger platform.

Local hair salon and drag show venue
2

Liza moves in as Robin's roommate

Liza, Robin's best friend who struggles with schizophrenia, leaves the institutional facility and becomes his roommate. The arrangement deepens Robin's ties to the drag world while highlighting the fragility of Liza's condition. Their living situation foreshadows the personal storms to come.

Robin's apartment
3

Liza's delusion: The Bonecrusher and The Other Place

Liza experiences a delusional episode in which she believes 'The Bonecrusher' from 'The Other Place' is on top of her. Robin helps her push the Bonecrusher off and she explains more about the Other Place and her friend Zara who protects her. The scene blends mental illness with elements of imagined danger.

Liza's home
4

Social worker visit and pregnancy warning

A social worker visits Liza and they review her lengthy medication list. The social worker stresses that it would be very dangerous for Liza to become pregnant while on those meds. The moment underscores medical concerns that loom over the characters.

Liza's home / clinic
5

Robin's work life clashes with Liza's fragility

Robin returns home to find Liza excited by functioning with the therapist, but he is upset when a client wanted a bold hairstyle and reacted badly when Robin styled her like Cleopatra. The clash between career ambition and personal stability creates tension for both.

Robin's home
6

Halloween planning with Perry and Martin

Robin meets his friend Perry and Liza's friend Martin. Martin's paranoid delusions surface as he rants about Mao Zedong, while Perry and Robin discuss costumes for an upcoming Halloween party. The conversations set up the upcoming performance centerpiece.

Planning / social hangout
7

Perry's and Liza's costume plans

Perry decides to go as Karen Black as the flight attendant from Airport 1975. Liza suggests that Robin go as Tallulah Bankhead and agrees to make his dress. The planning demonstrates how performance and identity intertwine for the characters.

Planning for Halloween party
8

Halloween night victory and breakthrough

On Halloween night, Robin is a smash at the party, winning first prize in the costume contest and earning a chance to perform regularly. His salon boss is initially reluctant to give him time off but eventually relents. The success marks a major breakthrough in his career.

Halloween night Halloween party club
9

Debut at the club as Bette Davis

Robin debuts at the club as Bette Davis, performing live and mocking Joan Crawford's iconic roles in Mildred Pierce, Autumn Leaves, and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?. He delivers a powerful routine without lip-syncing, signaling a national-style breakthrough.

Shortly after Halloween Local club
10

Therapy continues and pregnancy cautions

Liza continues therapy and keeps a journal of her thoughts and dreams, which she reads to her psychiatrist who again cautions against pregnancy. She resists institutionalization, maintaining a struggle between treatment and autonomy. The medical warnings underscore the stakes of her condition.

Therapy clinic
11

Anne the editor sees potential in Liza's journal

Liza's lesbian editor friend Anne reads through her journal and suggests that some of her stories could be sold. The comment offers a glimmer of possibility for Liza's creative output beyond therapy. It also highlights the intersection of art and personal struggle.

Anne's office
12

New York pursuit and the Bob connection

With bills piling up and Liza pregnant, Robin leaves Canada for New York City to pursue greater success as a female impersonator. He meets Bob, a cab driver who used to be a talent agent and agrees to have Bob represent him. This marks a turning point toward a larger stage and professional network.

Canada to New York City
13

Breakthrough at the Jackrabbit Club

Robin performs 'Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend' while rapidly changing drag personas, ending with an encore as Judy Garland. The performance is a triumph, leading to a regular slot at the Jackrabbit Club in New York City. The sequence solidifies his rising star status.

Jackrabbit Club, New York City
14

Liza's stillbirth and Robin's bid to bring her back

Liza enters the hospital to give birth and tragically the baby is stillborn, plunging her into a deep depression. Robin enlists Bob to drive him to Canada to retrieve Liza, signaling a desperate bid to keep their bond intact in the face of loss.

Hospital; Canada
15

Reunited, ready for the show

Back in New York, Liza remains withdrawn, but Robin encourages that they are alive and 'crazy' together. He has Bob ready Liza for that night's Jackrabbit show, and they join the other performers and patrons on the dance floor as a final affirmation of their shared madness.

New York apartment / Jackrabbit Club

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:23

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Outrageous!

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