This is a really funny short. I love to see Divine in action. The art these two used to make (John and Divine) was utterly transgressive and sheerly entertaining.
15 Reviews
John Waters is my religion
Fernando-Rodrigues22 February 2021
Car, Car!
GroovyDoom20 August 2003
This is a "hidden" gem, essential for everyone who has burned out on reciting lines from "Female Trouble". A fictionalized account of Diane Linkletter's suicide, this is a real treat for any fan who can manage to get ahold of it.
Brief but extremely memorable, this features performances from early Dreamlanders Divine, David Lochary, and Mary Vivian Pearce as Diane Linkletter and her parents. "Irreverent" doesn't even come close to describing it, since it aspires to find the humor and pathos in Diane Linkletter's suicide, however the film resembles the reality of Linkletter's death only in passing. Mainly this is amusing simply because of the way it depicts the clash of Diane's hippie culture with the uppity values of the Linkletters. The film shows the Linkletters sitting up waiting for their daughter to come home from "the Strip", then the resulting confrontation when she drifts home stoned and babbling about communes and her boyfriend, Jim.
However it may seem, there is an important commentary embedded in this technically crude film. The truly disturbing aspect of it is the juxtaposition of Art Linkletter's spoken-word 45 "We Love You, Call Collect" on the soundtrack, which was recorded before Diane's death and featured Diane herself performing a spoken-word piece with her father about how teenagers can hide their drug use from their parents. Waters uses it first in the opening credits as "Diane" snorts drugs up her nose and mugs for the camera, then over the shot of her dying body at the short film's conclusion. After researching the actual details of Diane Linkletter's suicide, I discovered that drugs may not have played a part in her death at all. In fact, the medical reports showed no sign of drugs in her system. However, Art Linkletter immediately made a very big show of declaring that 'drugs' killed his daughter, and continues to lecture on the dangers of drugs while using Diane's death as an example of how drugs can destroy. Conversely, even witnesses who were around Diane shortly before her death attest that Diane was not in an altered state when she took her own life, a fact that makes Waters' film especially haunting. By placing Art Linkletter's bizarre spoken-word piece over top of images of Diane's decline and demise, Waters seems to be pointing out the bitter irony of Diane's suicide, suggesting that perhaps drugs did not damage Diane's psyche as much as the denial and disconnection from reality of the parents.
Brief but extremely memorable, this features performances from early Dreamlanders Divine, David Lochary, and Mary Vivian Pearce as Diane Linkletter and her parents. "Irreverent" doesn't even come close to describing it, since it aspires to find the humor and pathos in Diane Linkletter's suicide, however the film resembles the reality of Linkletter's death only in passing. Mainly this is amusing simply because of the way it depicts the clash of Diane's hippie culture with the uppity values of the Linkletters. The film shows the Linkletters sitting up waiting for their daughter to come home from "the Strip", then the resulting confrontation when she drifts home stoned and babbling about communes and her boyfriend, Jim.
However it may seem, there is an important commentary embedded in this technically crude film. The truly disturbing aspect of it is the juxtaposition of Art Linkletter's spoken-word 45 "We Love You, Call Collect" on the soundtrack, which was recorded before Diane's death and featured Diane herself performing a spoken-word piece with her father about how teenagers can hide their drug use from their parents. Waters uses it first in the opening credits as "Diane" snorts drugs up her nose and mugs for the camera, then over the shot of her dying body at the short film's conclusion. After researching the actual details of Diane Linkletter's suicide, I discovered that drugs may not have played a part in her death at all. In fact, the medical reports showed no sign of drugs in her system. However, Art Linkletter immediately made a very big show of declaring that 'drugs' killed his daughter, and continues to lecture on the dangers of drugs while using Diane's death as an example of how drugs can destroy. Conversely, even witnesses who were around Diane shortly before her death attest that Diane was not in an altered state when she took her own life, a fact that makes Waters' film especially haunting. By placing Art Linkletter's bizarre spoken-word piece over top of images of Diane's decline and demise, Waters seems to be pointing out the bitter irony of Diane's suicide, suggesting that perhaps drugs did not damage Diane's psyche as much as the denial and disconnection from reality of the parents.
The Diane Linkletter Story is recommended only for fans of John Waters and/or the off-beat
tavm12 January 2008
Because of another commentator's review of this and the fact it was an early John Waters work, I decided to check out The Diane Linkletter Story. Supposedly the last minutes of Diane's life as portrayed by Divine as she and David Lochary and Mary Vivian Pearce as her parents, we basically see them shout over each other about Diane's boyfriend, the drugs she takes, and the commune she hangs out with before the tragic ending. The parts I found funny (whether intentional or not) were the outdated terms Divine says like "far out" and "out-of-sight". Otherwise, it's just amateurish acting-with little compelling dramatization-as performed by a bunch of friends just starting out. Recommended only to Waters completists or those with a taste of the off-beat.
Lousy production values BUT an important film--especially for John Waters fans
planktonrules11 January 2008
This isn't an easy film to rate, as it's one of John Waters' earliest films and wasn't meant for theatrical release. Instead, Waters was testing out a new camera with three of his friends (who would go on to be perennial stars in his films) and it was mostly only shown in counter-culture dives.
The names of the characters were chosen in very bad taste. The TV star Art Linkletter's daughter just committed suicide and Waters named the characters after the family members and it appears to be a recreation of this tragedy. However, considering that Divine (who played the tragic daughter) and David Lochary and Mary Vivian Pearce (played the parents) bore absolutely no resemblance to them, it is a very loose interpretation to say the least. In bad taste? Yes, but compared to PINK FLAMINGOS and a few of Waters' other films, this is far from his worst.
Now as for production values, aside from the crappy film work (which looked like it was made with a Super 8 camera), the acting, especially Mary Vivian Pearce's, is just awful. The characters constantly misread their lines, talk over each other and just seem like they were some of Waters' untalented friends having a few laughs--which is EXACTLY what this was. Had Waters never gone on to better things, then this home movie would have never seen the light of day. Because of this, rating the film is really impossible. However, fans of his films will appreciate that so many of the plot elements here were recycled in films such as FEMALE TROUBLE--so this short film was a training ground for future greatness. Well, not for every one--Ms. Pearce never really improved her acting skills much, but her lousy acting actually is part of the charm of a Waters film.
The names of the characters were chosen in very bad taste. The TV star Art Linkletter's daughter just committed suicide and Waters named the characters after the family members and it appears to be a recreation of this tragedy. However, considering that Divine (who played the tragic daughter) and David Lochary and Mary Vivian Pearce (played the parents) bore absolutely no resemblance to them, it is a very loose interpretation to say the least. In bad taste? Yes, but compared to PINK FLAMINGOS and a few of Waters' other films, this is far from his worst.
Now as for production values, aside from the crappy film work (which looked like it was made with a Super 8 camera), the acting, especially Mary Vivian Pearce's, is just awful. The characters constantly misread their lines, talk over each other and just seem like they were some of Waters' untalented friends having a few laughs--which is EXACTLY what this was. Had Waters never gone on to better things, then this home movie would have never seen the light of day. Because of this, rating the film is really impossible. However, fans of his films will appreciate that so many of the plot elements here were recycled in films such as FEMALE TROUBLE--so this short film was a training ground for future greatness. Well, not for every one--Ms. Pearce never really improved her acting skills much, but her lousy acting actually is part of the charm of a Waters film.
Sick, wrong, and essential
joeblev14 September 1998
Made around the time of "Mondo Trasho," this is what Waters calls an "instant movie." He read about Diane Linkletter's suicide in the paper one day, gathered some of his friends, and shot a dramatic recreation of it that same day. In hindsight, this was a precursor to all those "E! True Hollywood Story" specials. It's even in grainy black-and-white, just like those so-called "dramatic re-enactments" we see on TV today. Essential viewing for Waters fans -- the credits alone are worth the effort of tracking it down.
Amateur stage play level
Horst_In_Translation13 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
"The Diane Linkletter Story" is sn American live action short film from 1970, so this one is already 50 years old. It was directed by John (not Roger) Waters and he was also in charge of the script here together with his tragically short-lived actors Divine and David Lochary. This one is based on real events, namely the suicide of a famous TV personality's daughter, so it is a delicate subject and the fact that it got such a weak film made about these events is pretty tasteless and lacks very much respect in my opinion. That's really all one could say. Acting's not good, frequently hammy and over the top. Writing and directing could/should have been far better too. This certainly won't get me interested in Divine's body of work, even if she was a cult icon back then, still may be today to some extent. "Amateurish" is the accurate word to describe this one and I am glad it was this short.
Hooray for John and his Good Bad Taste
weaselvulture27 March 2007
MOST Waters fans will think this is hilarious, though you'll meet the rogue who thinks it's in bad taste. But then, criticizing Waters for making a film in "bad taste" is like criticizing a hippie for smoking the herb: it's just what they do.
The short starts out with a creepy recording of Diane speaking at the beginning, and is repeated at the end; the picture is grainy and makes Divine look wild-eyed and insane(yes!). Divine is really, really funny, and even though David Lochary gets a little befuddled on a couple of his lines, he and Bonnie still do a fine job.
I went nuts trying to figure out how I'd see this short for a very long time. Some angel posted it on medicinefilms.com; they say they're John Waters, which makes me both skeptical and desperate.
So... go watch it and decide for yourself.
The short starts out with a creepy recording of Diane speaking at the beginning, and is repeated at the end; the picture is grainy and makes Divine look wild-eyed and insane(yes!). Divine is really, really funny, and even though David Lochary gets a little befuddled on a couple of his lines, he and Bonnie still do a fine job.
I went nuts trying to figure out how I'd see this short for a very long time. Some angel posted it on medicinefilms.com; they say they're John Waters, which makes me both skeptical and desperate.
So... go watch it and decide for yourself.
Any Waters fan must see this film!
Casey-5229 April 2000
Any film with David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pearce, and Divine is a signal to rejoice! This is a VERY hard-to-find short released on video as "Divine" in the 80s on a double bill with the Divine off-Broadway play "The Neon Woman". Lochary and Pearce are the Linkletters, the Hollywood couple with a troubled daughter. Of the 15 minute short, the majority of it is improvised footage of the two complaining about their daughter and wondering where she is and what to do with her. Divine stars in the opening credits and makes quite an entrance as the drugged-out Diane Linkletter. Divine is fantastic, either in a drunken stupor, having temper tantrums, or crying uncontrollably in her room over her boyfriend Jim! The end shots of Divine laying on the ground, a suicide from jumping out a window, are better examples than usual of Waters' cinematography. If you find this movie, rent it, buy it, steal it, anything! This is essential viewing for any John Waters/Divine/underground movie fan. A lot of people find it in bad taste because Waters filmed it the same day of the actual news break of Diane's suicide, but I think it's very intelligent and a brilliantly funny parody of the seamy underside of Hollywood! To top it off, the soundtrack is Art Linkletter's 45 "Call Collect", a spoken-word record he put out a few weeks after the event! It is black comedy at its best!
Strange Short from Waters
Michael_Elliott4 January 2017
The Diane Linkletter Story (1970)
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Art and Lois Linkletter (David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pearce) are waiting on their daughter Diane (Divine) to get home. The parents are worried and once the daughter gets home it leads to a very big argument, which then turns to tragedy.
This short from John Waters was apparently made so that the director could try out a new camera. When viewing it today it perfectly fits in with his bad taste cinema because the names used were real people and the film pretty much spoofs a real event. Art Linkletter was a successful television star and his daughter Diane killed herself. That's pretty much what was re-enacted here.
On a technical level there's nothing ground-breaking here but I actually thought the 9-minute short was at least entertaining. The performances aren't the greatest but they're fun enough in that bizarre John Waters world. After all, you're watching people who would play a big part in PINK FLAMINGOS. Fans of Waters will want to check this out for certain.
** 1/2 (out of 4)
Art and Lois Linkletter (David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pearce) are waiting on their daughter Diane (Divine) to get home. The parents are worried and once the daughter gets home it leads to a very big argument, which then turns to tragedy.
This short from John Waters was apparently made so that the director could try out a new camera. When viewing it today it perfectly fits in with his bad taste cinema because the names used were real people and the film pretty much spoofs a real event. Art Linkletter was a successful television star and his daughter Diane killed herself. That's pretty much what was re-enacted here.
On a technical level there's nothing ground-breaking here but I actually thought the 9-minute short was at least entertaining. The performances aren't the greatest but they're fun enough in that bizarre John Waters world. After all, you're watching people who would play a big part in PINK FLAMINGOS. Fans of Waters will want to check this out for certain.
The disgusting SLUT!
sirarthurstreebgreebling II3 May 2002
Scream's a teased haired David Lochary upstairs to Divine in the role of Diane Linkletter.
The parents are at home, and waiting for the return of their errant daughter, she turns up "tripping" and high on everything, and she announces her love for all things carnal.
Like most teenagers she gets sent to her room while Art and his wife try to sort the problem, we hear a crash, a scream and then see the mushed up Diane on the pavement "call collect" goes the soundtrack.
A superb short by John Waters, Divine's first screen role and David Lochary and Mary Vivian Pearce are on top form as well.
Some say its "bad" taste, nothing compares with the LP Art Linkletter released of his daughters suicide.
Find a copy now!
The parents are at home, and waiting for the return of their errant daughter, she turns up "tripping" and high on everything, and she announces her love for all things carnal.
Like most teenagers she gets sent to her room while Art and his wife try to sort the problem, we hear a crash, a scream and then see the mushed up Diane on the pavement "call collect" goes the soundtrack.
A superb short by John Waters, Divine's first screen role and David Lochary and Mary Vivian Pearce are on top form as well.
Some say its "bad" taste, nothing compares with the LP Art Linkletter released of his daughters suicide.
Find a copy now!
Almost John Waters' Best Film
Kelv-14 June 2002
"The Diane Linkletter Story' is an essential for any true John Waters fan. Where else do you get to see David Lochary as a concerned parent? The plot follows Mister and Misses Linkletter( David Lochary and Mary Vivian 'Bonnie' Pearce) who are waiting for their daughter Diane( Divine) to return home. When she does, she is drunk and stoned out of her mouth. David Lochary gives the best and funniest performance of his career and Divine and Mary Vivian are sensational as well! A must-see!!!! Ten out of ten stars!
Great early Waters short
mikehyer18 September 2000
The Diane Linkletter story is an oddity on video and not easy to find, but it is definitely worth checking out. Divine looks so young in it, it is frightening and David Lochary and Mary Vivian Pierce are hysterical as the Linkletter parents. A must see for all fans of Water's early works.
Crudely shot, the script and acting carry this short.
Crudely shot, the script and acting carry this short.
A well done short film
leftysalminen13 December 2004
This film was distasteful in parts. John Waters has an ironic, irreverent sense of humor of course. It seemed realistic through most of it, and had kind of a documentary feel to it. It was a good social commentary. Diane's parents were portrayed as quite judgmental. They were talking about her, and especially they were judging her friends, as they were waiting for Diane to come home. Her parents seemed to not want to listen to Diane, only to judge. The part at the beginning with Diane smoking drugs was distasteful, yet funny. As was the hokey warning message from the father to his daughter. Soft music plays during this melodramatic line, "Come back. Come back before you are trapped in a life that daily becomes more aimless and unreal."
IN POOR TASTE!
FORREST1367 August 2001
Following the tragic death of Art Linkletters daughter Diane.this sick demented movie was made! I have always loved John Waters films but this one was out of wack! Making fun of a tragedy is not right! No wonder it has disappeared into obscurity!
Made 4 decades ago, this Waters short film is still controversial...
cinema_universe1 July 2008
I hear more people talking about this short film now, than when it was made, or at any time since it's production.
I first saw it when I purchased a VHS tape of Divine's live stage show, "THE NEON WOMAN."
That show was taped on 1960's B+W videotape (NOT the same kind of tape on VHS cassettes) in 1967.
When home video first became available to the public, "THE NEON WOMAN" was published on VHS by the New York Film Annex. To fill out the tape, the NYFA included Waters' short film, "The Diane Linkletter Story." That was more than 20 years ago.
Whether or not you like Art Linkletter, the unvarnished truth of the matter is that he conspired with the Nixon administration (in the latter's "anti-drug" campaign) to allow the public to think that Diane jumped out of that upper-story window to her death, while on LSD. The truth is, she had not taken LSD for over a year before she died, and the drug had absolutely nothing to do with her death. Furthermore, an autopsy showed that she had no drugs, whatsoever, in her body at the time of her death. Stretching the truth (to put it mildly) was a common practice by Nixon and his followers (of which, Art Linkletter was one).
When I first purchased it, I knew that this NYFA-published VHS tape was a special treasure. I don't foresee any possible DVD release of this film coming any time soon, although I would love to see the film made available on disc, so others can see it, and own it.
Perhaps, some day, Waters will be able to get it published on DVD, with an explanation of Art Linkletter's shameful "use" of his daughter's suicide to further right-wing anti-drug propaganda.
I first saw it when I purchased a VHS tape of Divine's live stage show, "THE NEON WOMAN."
That show was taped on 1960's B+W videotape (NOT the same kind of tape on VHS cassettes) in 1967.
When home video first became available to the public, "THE NEON WOMAN" was published on VHS by the New York Film Annex. To fill out the tape, the NYFA included Waters' short film, "The Diane Linkletter Story." That was more than 20 years ago.
Whether or not you like Art Linkletter, the unvarnished truth of the matter is that he conspired with the Nixon administration (in the latter's "anti-drug" campaign) to allow the public to think that Diane jumped out of that upper-story window to her death, while on LSD. The truth is, she had not taken LSD for over a year before she died, and the drug had absolutely nothing to do with her death. Furthermore, an autopsy showed that she had no drugs, whatsoever, in her body at the time of her death. Stretching the truth (to put it mildly) was a common practice by Nixon and his followers (of which, Art Linkletter was one).
When I first purchased it, I knew that this NYFA-published VHS tape was a special treasure. I don't foresee any possible DVD release of this film coming any time soon, although I would love to see the film made available on disc, so others can see it, and own it.
Perhaps, some day, Waters will be able to get it published on DVD, with an explanation of Art Linkletter's shameful "use" of his daughter's suicide to further right-wing anti-drug propaganda.
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