About Multiple Maniacs

"Multiple Maniacs" is a 1970 American black comedy film written, produced, and directed by John Waters. The plot follows the anarchic adventures of Lady Divine's Cavalcade of Perversion, a traveling troupe of misfits and deviants that perform horrific acts in front of an unsuspecting public.

Plot Summary

Lady Divine is the crazed leader of a macabre troupe of performers, showcasing everything from a 'puke eater' to thieves. After the crowd witnesses these shocking spectacles, they are subsequently robbed by Lady Divine and her gang. When Lady Divine goes on a rampage, a string of outrageous events occurs, leading to robbery, betrayal, and murder.

Making / Production

The plot created by John Waters perfectly encapsulates his signature style of shock-appeal cinema that blends provocative humor with campy horror. Filmed in gritty black and white in the director's native Baltimore, it was produced on a minuscule budget, which is evident in its grainy aesthetics and low-quality sound. Despite this, "Multiple Maniacs" managed to make a significant cultural impact.

Actors

• Divine (Lady Divine): Known best for her collaboration with John Waters, Divine used her unorthodox features to play Lady Divine with an eccentricity that was captivating.
• Edith Massey (Edith): Edith Massey used her unconventional looks and dialogue delivery to portray her character of Edith in a way that's both unsettling and humourous.
• David Lochary (Mr. David): David Lochary projected an over-the-top flamboyant persona for his character 'Mr. David', which suited the walking-on-the-edge atmosphere of the movie.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was considered lost until the negative was rediscovered in 2016.
• It was the first film in which Divine played a major role.
• "Multiple Maniacs" is known to be one of Waters' most controversial films.

Awards

No known awards for this movie.

Quotes

• "I love you so fucking much, I could shit!" - Lady Divine
• "What does an asshole look like, Mr. David?" - Edith

Music & Soundtrack

• "Shame, Shame, Shame" by Smiley Lewis
• "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby" by Louis Jordan