Product Details

• Actors: Divine, David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pearce, Mink Stole, Cookie Mueller
• Format: Black & White, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: X (Mature Audiences Only)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: American Home Entert
• VHS Release Date: September 20, 1994
• Run Time: 81 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303223052
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #160,241 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video

If you don't enjoy circus freaks, transvestites, and the idea of intimate relations with arthropods, then you probably won't get the humor in Multiple Maniacs. If, on the other hand, you enjoyed John Waters's infamous Pink Flamingos ("the filthiest film ever made!"), then check out this earlier attempt to shock even the most jaded moviegoer.

The story, such as it is, revolves around Lady Divine's Cavalcade of Perversions, a smutty sideshow featuring such depraved attractions as armpit lickers and "actual queers, kissing on the lips." Divine plays a homicidal dominatrix who slaughters hapless suburbanites lured by the carnival's cheap thrills. The filming, like the subject matter, is crude, but shows hints of Waters's keen eye for visuals, as in Divine's first scene, when the colossal drag queen wallows nakedly, ample backside to the camera, delivering his/her lines into a makeup mirror. Things really get going when emcee Mr. David decides to leave Divine for a more petite woman... and Divine's wrathful revenge is diverted by an apparition of the Christ Child of Prague. Before it's over, rabies, Charles Manson, and giant, randy lobsters all come into play. To enjoy Multiple Maniacs, there's just one strategy--sit back and take it. --Grant Balfour

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow..., February 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Multiple Maniacs [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Multiple Maniacs is an experience of its own. There's no category for this movie. You'll be shocked, which John Waters is famous for. And don't worry, the shock in Multiple Maniacs is not, and will never be, dated. There can never be another more shocking movie than Multiple Maniacs, unless you're talking about another movie done by the amazingly talented Mr. Waters.

The movie is, well, funny. There's no other way to put it. It's a hilarious voyage through the trash that is, get this, circus freaks. Mr. Waters takes you through the adventures of Lady Divine, a huge, un-humble, and strangely attractive 300 pound transvestite. You can see lesbians, you can see the infamous puke-eater, and the most notorious actual queers! They kiss on the lips, like lovers!

But, of all the excellent qualities of Multiple Maniacs, there's nothing like a 90 minute dose of Divinity. Seeing her (him?) parade around in seemingly skin-tight and sexy, flamboyant dresses, talking about the murder of Sharon Tate, and smearing the fabulous Mink Stole's face with black lipstick is simply a miracle. The rosary job is, well, amazing. Shocking! Horrific! Revolting! Hilarious! Great!

It comes down to this: Multiple Maniacs is a must see. A must see for all. Whether you love it or you hate it, (there is no inbetween,) you've got to see it. There's no other movie quite like Multiple Maniacs. And, rest assured, you'll get quite the kick out of seeing Divine, especially if this is your first 'divine' experience. So, stop reading this, you won't hear anything new, and see it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is the show you want! The sleaziest show on Earth!!, April 7, 2004

By 

Kasey G (Toronto, ON) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Multiple Maniacs [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Multiple Maniacs is on par with John Waters' Pink Flamingos when it comes to sleaziness and filth, though not quite as polished. The black-and-white cinematography gives the film a certain raw and crude quality, but that outrageous, hilarious Waters' dialogue, though in its infancy stages here, is already wielding an undeniable power over those of us who love trash cinema. Some scenes drag on a little longer than necessary, such as David and Bonnie lounging around in bed, or Cookie and Steve talking about riots but there are others, such as the opening in the circus tent, and the "rosary job" that more than make up for it. Be sure to look and listen for Divine and Cookie flubbing their lines, Divine's wig almost falling off as he is being violated by Lobstora, and Mink Stole trying not to laugh as a male pedestrian walks by when she and Divine are discussing the murder of Mr. David and Bonnie. All in all, I recommend watching this only AFTER you have seen Hairspray, Polyester, Female Trouble, Pink Flamingos, and Desperate Living, in THAT order. By that time you will have decided if you are a true John Waters fan or not.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Oh My!, November 23, 1999

By 

"rdb05" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Multiple Maniacs [VHS] (VHS Tape)

You will never look at seafood or a Rosary the same again! Other recovering-Catholics will either be amused or terrified! No more side shows for me, that's for sure (unless they would let me join) :-)