With POLYESTER, John Waters cleaned up his act — well, sort of. This 1981 melodrama spoof marked a major turning point in Waters’ career: a bigger budget, a suburban setting, and his first taste of (semi-)mainstream success. It was also the first time he cast 1950s teen idol Tab Hunter, a move that shocked audiences and opened doors.

In this episode, we explore how POLYESTER emerged from Waters’ desire to move beyond pure shock and into broader satire. We’ll talk about his collaboration with New Line Cinema, his use of William Castle–style gimmickry with the infamous “Odorama” scratch-and-sniff cards, and why POLYESTER might be the most deceptively subversive film of his early career.

Theme Song: "There's Still a Little Bit of Time, If We Hurry and I Mean Hurry" by Slasher Film Festival Strategy.

This episode was written, produced and edited by Gary Horne, Justin Bishop, and Todd A. Davis.

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