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Shock Value

A Tasteful Book About Bad Taste

Shock Value Open the full-size image

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Contributors

By John Waters

Foreword by Simon Doonan

Formats and Prices

On Sale
Apr 5, 2005
Page Count
256 pages
Publisher
Running Press
ISBN-13
9781560256984

Price

$20.00

Price

$26.00 CAD

Format

Trade Paperback

Format:

Trade Paperback $20.00 $26.00 CAD

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To me, bad taste is what entertainment is all about. If someone vomits watching one of my films, it’s like getting a standing ovation. Thus begins John Waters’s autobiography. And what a story it is. Opening with his upbringing in Baltimore (“Charm City” as dubbed by the tourist board; the “hairdo capital of the world” as dubbed by Waters), it covers his friendship with his muse and leading lady, Divine, detailed accounts of how Waters made his first movies, stories of the circle of friends/actors he used in these films, and finally the “sort-of fame” he achieves in America. Complementing the text are dozens of fabulous old photographs of Waters and crew. Here is a true love letter from a legendary filmmaker to his friends, family, and fans.

Genre:

  • Nonfiction
  • Biography & Autobiography
  • Entertainment & Performing Arts

John Waters has written and directed twelve films, including "Pink Flamingos," "Polyester," "Hairspray," "Cecil B. DeMented," and the Fall '04 release "A Dirty Shame." He's also written four books and been referenced in countless others. The 2003 Broadway production of "Hairspray" was nominated for thirteen Tony Awards and won eight, sweeping the main musical categories with best musical, best actor, best actress, and best direction. The runaway success of "Hairspray" has put Waters squarely in mainstream American culture.

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John Waters

About the Author

John Waters is a filmmaker, writer, actor, and visual artist best known for his films, including Pink Flamingos, Serial Mom, and Hairspray, which was adapted into a long-running Broadway musical. The author of seven books, among them the New York Times bestsellers Role Models and Carsick, he performs his one-man, spoken-word shows regularly in the United States and abroad. Waters lives in Baltimore, Maryland.

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