Polyester
JOHN WATERS: DIVINE FILTH, PART 5
“I wish I could be more like you, Cuddles: always optimistic. I look into my future, and all I see is a long, dark highway, filled with endless toll booths and... no exits.”
On the heels of DESPERATE LIVING — and its disappointing box office — John Waters knew that he needed a hit, and that he needed his leading lady back.
Once again teaming with Divine, Waters set out to make a film that was a little more palatable to mass audiences, one that wouldn't rely on shock value to get its laughs. The resulting film was POLYESTER, released in 1981. Co-starring 50s silver screen heartthrob Tab Hunter, the film would also utilize the infamous "Odorama" scratch-n-sniff card gimmick during its initial release.
In this episode, we'll discuss just how Waters went from the subversive, abrasive DESPERATE LIVING to the Douglas Sirk-esque melodrama of POLYESTER, how he got Tab Hunter (and Debbie Harry!) involved, and how the film was received by audiences at the time.
CAST & CREW
Directed by: John Waters
Written by: John Waters
Produced by: Robert Shaye | John Waters | Michael White
Cast: Divine | Tab Hunter | David Samson | Ken King | Mary Garlington | Joni Ruth White | Stiv Bators | Susan Lowe | Mary Vivian Pearce | Mink Stole | Jean Hill | Cookie Mueller | Edith Massey | George Figgs |
Cinematography: David Insley
Edited by: Charles Roggero
Music by: Michael Kamen | Debbie Harry | Chris Stein
Release Date: May 29, 1981
Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy.
This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop, and Todd A. Davis.
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