Crackpot: The Obsessions of John Waters [Paperback]

John Waters (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 30, 2003

Crackpot, originally released in 1986, is John Waters' brilliantly entertaining litany of odd and fascinationg people, places and things. From Baltimore to Los Angeles, from William Castle to Pia Zadora, from the National Enquirer to Ronald Reagan's colon, Waters explores the depths of our culture. And he dispenses useful advice along the way: how not to make a movie, how to become famous (read: infamous), and of course, how to most effectively shock and make our nation's public laugh at the same time. Loaded with bonus features, this new special edition is guaranteed to leave you totally mental.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Beneath the lewd exterior of punk filmmaker John Waters lies the discipline of gay novelist Jean Genet, and below that lies a tender humanity that some might even call saintly. In Crackpot, a reissue of Waters' 1986 collection of rants and reviews, originally published in Rolling Stone and elsewhere, the sweetness of the auteur's alleged perversity shines through on every page. Whether discussing the life story of Pia Zadora ("Pia Zadora is my kind of movie star. She's got balls") or the success of "Hairspray" on Broadway ("The real reason I'm praying that Hairspray...succeeds is that if it's a big hit, there will be high school productions, and finally the fat girl and the drag queen will get the starring parts"), Waters exhibits a moral heart buried in the garbage of celebrity culture. In his career as filmmaker, gallery artist, journalist and professional wit, Waters has always championed the loser with irrefutable panache. This document of his clever, searching mind will inspire old fans to laugh with renewed affection, and may win him a few new admirers.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Interview John Waters has done more than any living American to give bad taste a good name.

Jonathan Yardley The Washington Post A treasure chest of arcane knowledge, all of it delightful, and all of it deliciously described.

William S. Burroughs John Waters is the Pope of Trash and his taste in tacky is unexcelled.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: Scribner; Rep Sub edition (September 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743246276
• ISBN-13: 978-0743246279
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #183,392 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Waters is an American filmmaker, actor, writer, and visual artist best known for his cult films, including Hairspray, Pink Flamingos, and Cecil B. DeMented. He lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soda will come out of your nose!, September 5, 2007

By 

J. Arena (Williamsburg, VA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Crackpot: The Obsessions of John Waters (Paperback)

I have been a fan of John Waters for years. I read Crackpot: The Obsessions of John Waters while sitting at a coffee bar near Bloomingdale's in NYC. I was surrounded by "the ladies who lunch." The book made me snicker, chuckle, guffaw, and produce a series of embarrassing noises produced when you try to suppress hysterical laughter in an inappropriate place. The embarrassing sounds made me laugh even more, and the looks of disgust from disapproving shoppers ultimately sent Diet Pepsi through my nose.

I could not offer a finer tribute to anything produced by the mind of John Waters. God bless you, John.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Goldmine, February 1, 2008

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Moving (In transit - currently moving) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Crackpot: The Obsessions of John Waters (Paperback)

This book is so well-written, I think if John Waters hadn't become a film director he would have made an even better author. This book is so funny, but it is also a goldmine. There are so many references to obscure and interesting movies, books...all sorts of things. I learned so much! I had never heard of the film "Christmas Evil" before, but read about it in the book and was delighted to find it on netflix! It was insane!!! What a gem!

You could literally keep a notepad to scribble down movies to rent, books to read and things to google while reading this book. Lots of fun to read, and tons more to discover after you are done.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book by the infamous writer, director, pruducer,actor...................... John Waters., August 10, 2006

By 

Jacob "Jake" (Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crackpot: The Obsessions of John Waters (Paperback)

A great entertaining litany of odd and fascinating people, places, and things from John Waters home in baltimore to his favorite vacation point in los angeles.