Multiple Maniacs | 
| Director: John Waters
Actors: Divine, David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pearce, Mink Stole, Cookie Mueller
Studio: Falcon Home Video
Buy New: $120.00
New (1) Used (6) Collectible (1) from $24.95
Rating:  23 reviews
Sales Rank: 6698
Format: Black & White, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: X (Mature Audiences Only)
Media: VHS Tape
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 6303223052
UPC: 768738027231
EAN: 9786303223056
ASIN: 6303223052
Release Date: September 20, 1994
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new -- sealed in factory shrinkwrap
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| 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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...
 Filthy but nice! April 22, 1999
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
Multiple Maniacs is not Waters' best film, that honor goes to his Female Trouble (due for re-release sometime this year), but is full of typical Waters surprises. Divine stars as Lady Divine and stands out as the best performer in the film. What makes this film stand out the most is the fact that the performers don't sound like they're reciting dialogue (like in his other films), but they're just rambling whatever comes to their mind. Unfortunately, the movie's most famous scene, the rosary job, is too offensive to view for most, me included. I could stand the dog poop in Pink Flamingos, but not this! Catholics are fore-warned. The lobster scene is hilarious and bizarre. The ending is well-acted, surprising, and a sad reflection on America's view on violence in 1970. By far the most interesting thing about this movie is its fictional link to the Manson murders, which is historical and interesting. It also gives the viewer insight into Waters' fascination with crime! Those who don't like sloppy cinematography and have only seen his polished color films are given a fair warning.
 Wow... February 28, 2000
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
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.
Weakest Of His Early Films, But Still Gotta Have It ! July 24, 2000
JOHN SPOKUS (BALTIMORE, MARYLAND United States)
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
Multiple Maniacs is Waters' first "talky" and it seems that he was a little inexperienced at writing dialogue at this point. Some of the lines are just way too silly or practically imcomprehendable (even for him !). While the acting has always been intentionally corny (in his early films)it goes beyond that in this one. Divine doesn't even seem as confident here either.It's predecesor, Mondo Trasho (1969) is miles above this, even though it's mainly like a silent film (occasionally a line or two is dubbed in)with a soundtrack, mainly of rock n'roll oldies, pre- rock n'roll pop, and trashy Catholic religous recordings. Maybe even the larger downfall is the thin plot of Multiple Maniacs. Some scenes like "the rosary job" (w/ the stations of the cross) go on a little long and may be time wasters.The Lobstora attack just comes out of nowhere is out of place. Maybe Waters was torn between Warhol's art world and making true comic trash at this point. You still need to see it if you're a fan.
This is the show you want! The sleaziest show on Earth!! April 7, 2004
Kent Graovac (From an old, cold, run-down tenament slum)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
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.
 The horror, the horror July 29, 1999
2 out of 5 found this review helpful
Oh god! I recently sat down with a group of film students to watch what will Haunt my dreams for the rest of my days. This movie was outright horrible. It wasn't shocking, wasn't offensive (ok, to me at least, maybe for your Mom) and wow did it make me wanna die. I have never felt so strongly about a movie before. I hate Multiple Maniacs with my entire soul. You gotta see it.
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