X-Rated John Waters Film ‘Multiple Maniacs’ At Cinestudio

In 1970, a Baltimore circuit court judge ruled that John Waters’ film “Multiple Maniacs” was “obnoxious but not legally obscene.” The MPAA ratings board obviously felt otherwise, slapping the film with an X rating. Film distributors seemed to agree with the MPAA: “Multiple Maniacs” was never picked up for theatrical distribution.

The intervening 46 years have ruled that “Multiple Maniacs” is enough of a classic to merit a 4K restoration. That restoration will be shown in a one-time-only screening on Thursday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m. at Cinestudio, at Trinity College in Hartford.

“Multiple Maniacs” tells the story of “Lady Divine’s Cavalcade of Perversion,” a smarmy sideshow, and its proprietor, played by the legendary transvestite star Divine. Divine’s boyfriend cheats on her, sending her on a surreal criminal rampage.

Another unusual offering at Cinestudio is a 4K restoration of the French New Wave classic “Elevator to the Gallows.” Louis Malle’s 1958 directoral debut stars Jeanne Moreau as a woman whose plot to kill her husband goes awry. “Elevator to the Gallows” will be shown Dec. 11 to 15 at 7:30 p.m. each day, with a 4:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday.

Rounding out the alternative screenings are a presentation of two National Theatre Live shows: an encore presenation of “War Horse” on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 1 p.m., and a live simulcast of Harold Pinter’s “No Man’s Land,” starring Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, on Thursday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. An encore of “No Man’s Land” will be shown Saturday, Dec. 17, at 1 p.m.

Admission is $10, $8 seniors and students. cinestudio.org.