The Diane Linkletter Story

     This little gem has been almost impossible to find. It was minimally released with Mondo Trasho when first produced, but not included when Mondo Trasho achieved an actual video release, which was John Waters's first full-length feature film. Thanks to YouTube though, we can now finally get to enjoy it. How it got out is anyone's guess. I always assumed that like all his early short films, you had to be able to snatch it directly from John Waters attic to be able to view it. I haven't seen any other of his shorts on YouTube, but keep a lookout because you never know what will surface. Some others to look for are "Eat Your Makeup", "Hag in a Black Leather Jacket", and "Roman Candles". 

      The Diane Linkletter Story is only about 10 minutes long, therefore it is presented to you in its entirety on the YouTube video below. It was actually only made to test a new camera with sound. Its simplicity is apparent in only being a test take, but it still has a truly creepy ring to it. Mostly due to the fact that it was filmed only one day after Diane Linkletter (Art Linkletter's daughter) committed suicide by jumping out of a window while on the mother of all acid trips. 

      Divine plays Diane Linkletter (naturally) with David Lochary as Art Linkletter and Mary Vivian Pearce as his wife. The parents bicker for about six minutes, Diane comes home high as a kite, she runs to her room crying out for her boyfriend Jim then takes a flying leap out the window, the end. 

      After Dianes' suicide, Art Linkletter released an album addressed to his daughter called "We Love You, Call Collect" which is played repeatedly during Waters' film (creepy). Enjoy!