Crackpot: The Obsessions of
Category: Books,Arts & Photography,Performing Arts
Crackpot: The Obsessions of Details
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. Read more 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. Read more About the Author John Waters grew up in Baltimore, where he still lives, and has been making movies since he was seventeen. His films include Mondo Trasho, Multiple Maniacs, Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, Desperate Living, Polyesther, Hairspray, Cry Baby, Serial Mom, Pecker and Cecil B. Demented. The musical adaptation of his film, Hairspray, won eight Tony awards on Broadway. Read more
Reviews
John Waters at his most glorious. I feel that the original edition of this book flowed a tad better, but this is none-the-less a delightful read. Way back when the original edition first came out, the chapters "Hachet Piece (101 Things I hate)" and "Puff Piece (101 Things I love)" made me cry laughing, and changed my view of the world forever. Those chapters are included in this new edition, and they still make me laugh out loud. It is astounding how much of the world has finally caught up to John Water's perspective (all due to exposure to him- directly or indirectly, without a doubt), now making this book appear almost tame, but believe me, there was nothing else like him back in the day. He saved my life by existing and making art. Thank you, John Waters.
