Desperate Living
“It isn't very pretty…”
After killing her husband, Peggy Gravel and her murderous maid Grizelda wind up in the crazy town of Mortville, where Queen Carlotta presides over a sleazy collection of misfits.
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Cast
43 people
Liz Renay
Muffy St. Jacques
Also in
The Thrill Killers
Mark of the Astro-Zombies
Mink Stole
Peggy Gravel
Known for
Pink Flamingos
Female Trouble
Susan Lowe
Mole McHenry
Known for
Multiple Maniacs
Female Trouble
Edith Massey
Queen Carlotta
Known for
Pink Flamingos
Polyester
Mary Vivian Pearce
Princess Coo-Coo
Known for
Pink Flamingos
Female Trouble
Jean Hill
Grizelda Brown
Known for
Polyester
Brook Yeaton
Bosley Jr.
Also in
The Wire
Hairspray
Karen Gerwig
Beth
No other roles listed
Jay Allan
Kid
Al Strapelli
Dr. Evans
George Stover
Bosley Gravel
Known for
Nightbeast
WNUF Halloween Special
Turkey Joe
Motorcycle Cop
No other roles listed
John Waters Director · Chris Lobinger Composer Thomas Loizeaux Cinematographer
Budget $65K · United States release May 27, 1977 · Produced in United States
Box office
Budget
$65,000
Production
Charm City Productions
Production
Dreamland
Production
United States
Produced in
Mortville
Working title
Languages
Original language
English
Spoken on screen
English
Release dates
United States · May 27, 1977
Theatrical · Baltimore, Maryland
United States
October 14, 1977 · Theatrical · New York City, New York
May 12, 1978 · Premiere · Seattle International Film Festival
July 10, 1997 · Theatrical · Re-release
July 5, 2021 · Theatrical · Abel Ferrara's Cinema Village
Australia
June 17, 2017 · Premiere · Sydney Film Festival
Brazil
April 21, 2026 · Limited theatrical · Museu da Imagem e do Som ("Mostra John Waters 80 Anos")
Finland
November 2, 2012 · Premiere · Night Visions Film Festival
France
December 4, 1984 · Theatrical
September 8, 2013 · Premiere · L'Étrange Festival
Germany
November 2, 1980 · Theatrical · West Germany
Italy
March 7, 1979 · Theatrical
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Some details come from TheTVDB.