The Diane Linkletter Story (1970)

A John Waters film where Divine plays Diane Linkletter, daughter of Art Linkletter and commits suicide.

Director:

John Waters

Writers:

Divine, David Lochary,

Stars:

David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pearce, Divine

Cast

Cast overview:
David Lochary	...	Art Linkletter
Mary Vivian Pearce	...	Mrs. Linkletter
Divine	...	Diane Linkletter

Storyline

This improvised film is based on the true-life suicide of TV personality Art Linkletter's daughter, Diane. Mr. and Mrs. Linkletter fret about their daughter's recent behavior, which includes taking drugs and dating a lowlife named Jim. Eventually, the parents confront Diane... with tragic consequences.

---

Plot Keywords:

john waters | cult film | independent film | based on true story | character name in title

---

Genres:

Comedy | Short

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 April 1970 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dreamland

Technical Specs

Runtime:

10 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The opening music and ending music to the movie is a rare 45 released by Art Linkletter shortly after his daughter's death called "We Love You Call Collect."

---

Quotes

Diane: I am what I am! I'm doin' my own thing in my own time, Daddy!

---

Crazy Credits

Divine "hosts" the credits, presenting cue cards with actors' names and doing the "Diane Linkletter" by sniffing up cocaine.

---

Connections

Referenced in A History of Sex (2003)

---

Soundtracks

"We Love You Call Collect"
Art Linkletter

User Reviews

Hooray for John and his Good Bad Taste

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.