Harried and unhappy housewife Frances Fishpaw (Divine in terrific overwrought form) has her hands full dealing with her sleazy unfaithful husband Elmer (a nicely slimy turn by David Samson), promiscuous pregnant daughter Lu-Lu (a gloriously vampy portrayal by Mary Garlington), and depraved glue-sniffing son Dexter (Ken King, who's a total pervy hoot). However, much-needed relief materializes in the form of the hunky Tod Tomorrow (smoothly played to the suave hilt by Tab Hunter).

Writer/director John Waters pokes merry wicked fun at everything from puritanical small town mores to campy 50's melodramas to uptight conservative religious bluenoses with his trademark lip-smacking twisted glee while also maintaining a snappy pace and a winningly breezy irreverent tone as well as piles on one outrageous plot contrivance after another with infectious go-for-broke abandon.

Moreover, Divine manages the remarkable feat of making poor beleaguered Francine a genuinely tragic and sympathetic character. In addition, Edith Massey almost steals the whole show as Francine's ditsy, yet always upbeat best gal pal Cuddles, Mink Stole has a ball as Elmer's slinky tramp mistress Sandra Sullivan, Joni Ruth White cranks the sublime snark up to eleven as Francine's snooty mother La Rue, Stiv Bators attacks the juicy role of punk thug Bo-Bo Belsinger with sneering aplomb, and Jean Hill has a hysterical bit as an irate woman who hijacks a bus. An absolute kitschy riot.