A neurotic society woman murders her husband with the help of her maid and, on the lam, escape to Mortville, a homeless community ruled over by a fascist queen.
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Title: Desperate Living (1977)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Liz Renay | ... | Muffy St. Jacques | |
| Mink Stole | ... | Peggy Gravel | |
| Susan Lowe | ... | Mole McHenry | |
| Edith Massey | ... | Queen Carlotta | |
| Mary Vivian Pearce | ... | Princess Coo-Coo | |
| Jean Hill | ... | Grizelda Brown | |
| Brook Yeaton | ... | Bosley Jr. (as Brook Blake) | |
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Karen Gerwig | ... | Beth |
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Jay Allan | ... | Kid |
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Al Strapelli | ... | Doctor Evans |
| George Stover | ... | Bosley Gravel | |
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Turkey Joe | ... | Motorcycle Cop |
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Willie Brooks | ... | Pieman |
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James Yeaton | ... | Dead Bum |
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Ed Peranio | ... | Lieutenant Wilson |
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Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
A rich housewife murders her husband with the help of her overweight maid, and the two go on the run, ending up in Mortville, a town providing refuge for criminals. They shack up with a lesbian ex-wrestler and her murderess lover, before running into the tyrannical Queen Carlotta, ruler of Mortville... Written by Michael Brooke <michael@everyman.demon.co.uk>
Taglines:
It isn't very pretty.....Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
27 May 1977 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Mortville See more »Edit
Box Office
Budget:
$65,000 (estimated)Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
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Babysitter: I don't know; I'm trippin'.
Muffy St. Jacques: TRIPPUN? Where's Freddy?
Babysitter: I think I put him in the kitchen!
Muffy St. Jacques: The KITCHUN? Oh, Freddy!
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The cockroaches that Jean Hill and Mink Stole are forced to eat in the castle are actually raisins. See more »Goofs
When Mole first meets Peggy and Grizelda she tells them that there are no toilets in Mortville, but at the lesbian bar there are toilets, where Peggy is harassed by the 'bathroom pervert'. See more »Quotes
Muffy St. Jacques: [finding her babysitter nude in bed with a boy] OH MY GOD! What have you done with my baby?Babysitter: I don't know; I'm trippin'.
Muffy St. Jacques: TRIPPUN? Where's Freddy?
Babysitter: I think I put him in the kitchen!
Muffy St. Jacques: The KITCHUN? Oh, Freddy!
See more »
Crazy Credits
In the closing credits, both Lieutenant Wilson and Lieutenant Williams are credited as being played by Ed Peranio. See more »Alternate Versions
In Italy, the film was heavily dubbed, censored, and retitled "Punk Story." See more »Frequently Asked Questions
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Possibly more depraved than "Pink Flamingos", if that's possible, "Desperate Living" is a paradox for the senses. Although tasteless and shocking, it is ultimately warm hearted and uproariously hilarious. Those familiar with John's style know that these contradictions work splendidly within the context that he intended them to. Never mean spirited, the outrageousness lends itself to an overall statement on the callousness of society itself. Mink Stole is simply incredible as Peggy Gravel. Her ranting and raving throughout the film is side splitting. Special mention to Jean Hill as Grizelda, Liz Renay as Muffy, and of course the ever demure (ha!) Edith Massey as Queen Carlotta. Leave all inhibitions at the door and enjoy this twisted fairy tale roller coaster ride of a good time! A definite 9/10!!