Friday 11 September 2009

Massey Love



I haven't updated the blog in ages, so I thought maybe today could be a tribute to one of my favourite 'Dreamlanders' (the weird and wonderful stars of John Waters' movies)... Edith 'The Egg Lady' Massey. She is hilarious and touching in every role she has played, especially as Cuddles in Polyester and the evil Aunt Ida in Female Trouble.
Her personal life was as mad and colourful as any film she starred in; she was raised in an orphanage, running away at 15 to travel across the States, working as a tap dancer, b-girl and a barmaid. She met John Waters while working in a waterfront bar in Baltimore and he immediately cast her in Multiple Maniacs.
She continued working with Waters up until her final role in 1981 as Cuddles in Polyester, all the while running her own thrift store in Baltimore called Edith's Shopping Bag.
In the 80s she toured with her punk band, Edie and the Eggs, covering songs like Big Girls Don't Cry ...


In 1981, she also featured in the video to John Mellencamp's song This Time, where she plays his true love after a series of failed romances with beautiful women. Here it is:

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