Multiple Maniacs

Underground cinema meets gleefully outrageous home movie in this notorious 1970 cult film that was shot on b&w 16mm film on a tiny budget by John Waters (who was not just writer and director but also cameraman and editor) on the streets of Baltimore with a cast and crew of friends. Multiple Maniacs begins with dandy carnival barker Mr. David (David Lochary) in front of a tent that is pitched in a suburban park, hawking "Lady Divine's Cavalcade of Perversion," which is described as "the sleaziest show on Earth." Divine (the drag incarnation of Harris Glenn Milstead) stars as Lady Divine, a flamboyant crime queen who lures victims into her sideshow in order to rob them, blackmailing David to remain as her lover and partner in crime. But David plots with his secret girlfriend to murder Lady Divine. Over the course of this ragged production, Divine is seduced in a church while visions of Christ play onscreen, raped by a giant lobster, and foams at the mouth like a rabid animal when she embarks on a killing spree. It's not exactly a classic but it is notorious and has a following among trash cinema buffs for its aggressively tasteless parade of taboo-breaking scenes (the film was originally rated “X”). Debuting on DVD and Blu-ray, this Criterion Collection edition has been remastered and features extras including audio commentary by director Waters, cast interviews, and a video essay by film scholar Gary Needham. A strong optional purchase for more adventurous collections. (S. Axmaker)