Rape is never funny, except when Divine is being raped by a lobster. That’s just one of the many highlights in John Waters’ difficult-to-find cinematic calamity Multiple Maniacs, a 1970 offering that also stars Dreamlanders Mink Stole, Cookie Mueller, and Edith Massey (in her first-ever film role.) Upon viewing the film, Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Joseph H. H. Kaplan notoriously summarized it thus: “Horrendous. Sickening. Revolting. Most distasteful.”
Related: Legendary Cult Actor Mink Stole On John Waters, Divine And Tapping Into Catholic Anger
Until now, the trash epic has never been released on DVD or Blu-Ray, and the only way to see it was by tracking down a 1994 VHS tape, rough prints, or 16mm reel. Now, Janus Films is giving the film its long-deserved theatrical premiere in New York City on August 5th. A Criterion release can’t be far behind.
If you’ve never acquainted yourself with Lady Divine and Her Cavalcade Of Perversion, this is the perfect time.
Related: John Waters To Release Family-Friendly Remake Of Pink Flamingos, You Know, For Kids
Watch the infamous Divine vs. Lobstora scene here:
Watch the official trailer, courtesy of Vanity Fair, here:
Invader7
I LOVE Divine. Saw her in concert @ Numbers 300 Westheimer Rd., Houston, Tx 77006- in the early 1980’s. She was awesome. Saw her as Glenn Milstead later that night a local restaurant. Loved all of Divines subversive films. Had a Divine movie fest on rainy,winter Saturday with friends and smoke good smoke. I was never the same after that overload!!
Brian
Rape is not something to joke about.
barkomatic
@Brian: Except when it’s a lobster!
ErikO
Too funny! But why is this LGBT news? John Waters has not made a good movie in a long time.
wld8hrt
You haven’t lived until you’ve seen the “scare-o chair”!