John Waters: Shock Value (1981)

In honor of John Waters' 63rd birthday today, Monstruos Calientes is proud to bring you the entirety of his 1981 memoir, Shock Value: A Tasteful Book About Bad Taste, as read by the author himself. Long out of print in audiobook format, Shock Value is a hilarious journey through the making of Waters' early films, his observations on the seamier side of pop culture obsessions, and insights into the deranged cinematic universe he's created over the years.

(Divine Trash, d. Steve Yeager, 1998)

I could listen to Waters talk for hours on end about his life, his casts and the incredible stories behind the making of his movies. Of all the DVD commentaries out there, there's none more entertaining, engaging or captivating as the ones he does himself for his own films. As comforting as listening to a favorite uncle recommend which brand of amyl gives the best brainbuzz, or hearing a heartwarming account of visiting Tex Watson in prison, there's simply no one else quite like him out there. Happy Birthday, John, and thanks for all the puke.

John Waters - Shock Value (1981)

01. The Filthiest People Alive (23:50)
02. Why I Love Violence (8:49)
03. Baltimore, Maryland: The Hairdo Capital of the World (20:36)
04. Casting (6:01)
05. Desperate Living (12:33)
06. Sort Of Famous (2:17)
07. Do You Have Parents? (3:45)