I n the 1959 movie "Some Like It Hot", Jack Lem- mon and Tony Curtis play a couple of jazz musicians who accidently witness the St. Valentine's Day massacre. On the run from the mob, Jack and Tony dress up as Daphne and Josephine and join an all-girl band. Soon they become best friends with the band's vocalist, Sugar Kane, played by the voluptuous Marilyn Monroe.

One of the most popular movies of the following year was "Psycho," in which Anthony Perkins murders the beautiful Janet Leigh in a shower at the Bates Mo- tel, before retreating to his mother's house and donning her clothes.

In 1982, Dustin Hoffman had one of his most fa- mous roles, as a cranky and difficult actor with whom producers refuse to work. In desperation, he dresses as "Tootsie" and auditions for a female part, which he wins. Along the way, he falls in love with the incredibly lovely Jessica Lange. See a pattern here? Beautiful women seem to be drawn to cross-dressing men. At least in the movies.

Since 2007, I've been try- ing to make that magic work by participating in the Men's Drag Races - the most popular part of the most popular event in Dayton: All Wheels Weekend.

Over those years, I've dressed as Lois Lane, a female mercenary, a nun and a bobbie-soxer in a poodle skirt. Some of the other ladies who have taken part have ranged young babes in mini-skirts to old hags with beards smoking cigars. We've had fairy princesses, French maids and brides in their bridal gowns.

Over those years I've also been in charge of recruiting participants for the Drag Races. I've spent countless hours asking, cajoling, even begging men in Dayton to participate. This year I've decided to play the trump card: Hey guys, women love men in dresses!

OK, I can't say that the babes came flocking when I was frantically peddling my tricycle down Dayton's Main with my habit flapping in the breeze. But I saw a lot of them laughing.

Actually, the best part of taking part in the Drag Races happens behind the scenes. For an hour before the races start, all the ladies gather in the Liberty Theater Annex to prepare. Wives and girlfriends help with bras and pantyhose and wigs and makeup. And trust me, it's hard to put on makeup when you're laughing hysterically.

And I have to give a spe- cial thanks to the wonderful help we get each year from Mary Luce, who digs into the costume collection at the theater to help all of us girls look our best.

So here's the deal. A cou- ple of our regular ladies are going to be out of town this year, and we need some fresh blood. You can bring your own "things", or we can fix you up when you get there.

GIRLS' DAY OUT: Stephanie, Helen, Fran and Barbie (a.k.a. Steve Martin, Doug Hinds, Chuck Amerein and Ken Graham) hang out at Thresher's after the Men's Drag Races during All Wheel's Weekend 2012.

Check out the picture we took last year at Thresher's after the races. You can't see them, but we were sur- rounded by babes. And those weren't fruity cocktails we were drinking either. (And yes, the blonde cutie on the right needs to work on her muscles.)

If you're a virile guy and you think you'd like to give the Men's Drag Races a try, email me at editor@waits- burgtimes.com, or give me a call at 509-540-2752. It'll be the manliest thing you do all year.