#287: Female Trouble

Release Date: October 11th, 1974

Format: DCP (Frida Cinema in Santa Ana, CA)

Written by: John Waters

Directed by: John Waters

4 Stars

I had a ball watching John Waters’ 1981 film, Polyester, a few months back, and tonight at the Frida with Dakota, I had just as much fun watching his 1974 film, Female Trouble.

Despite a miniscule budget of $25,000, Female Trouble is infused with energy, love, and filthy fun. It’s more primitive than Polyester, with bad sound and simplistic camera set ups, but this only lends more charm to the tragic story of poor, poor Dawn Davenport (Divine), who after dropping out of high school joins a gang, prostitutes herself on the streets of Baltimore, and conceives a child by the side of a highway, with a slovenly stranger on a disposed mattress.

This child, Taffy (Mink Stole), grows up to be the rebellious teenager that Dawn was, and no amount of threats or beatings that Dawn gives her seems to help. What is she to do!?

Salvation seems to arrive in the form of Donald and Donna Dasher (David Lochary and Mary Vivan Pearce, respectively), salon owners and aspiring artists who want to feature Dawn in a series of portraits that show the connection between crime and beauty. 

What a perfect situation for the sociopathic, fabulous Dawn Davenport! 

Under the Dashers’ tutelage, Dawn’s crimes and appearance grow to monstrous proportions. Will it be enough for Dawn to achieve the fame she always felt she was destined for? Or will she end up strapped to the electric chair for her crimes against humanity?

Divine is a total showstopper in Female Trouble. Every line, every misfortune from Dawn Davenport elicited a laugh from the audience that somehow seemed equal parts sympathetic and schadenfreude. We love Dawn, but we also love to see Dawn suffer.

As for John Waters, the auteur, he’s such a joy to be around. No matter the depravity you’re witnessing on screen at any given moment, you just love spending time in his little, disgusting world. 

Cheers to The King of Camp! The Prince of Puke! The Pope of Trash!