Dreamlanders
Dreamlanders refers to the cast and crew of regulars whom John Waters has used in his films. The term comes from the name of Waters' production company, Dreamland Productions. Many of the original Dreamlanders were friends of Waters from his native Baltimore, Maryland, regular customers at the Hollywood Bakery and Pete's Hotel, and students from Maryland Institute College of Art.
Although Waters has attempted to feature many of the same actors and production team in every film, not every Dreamlander is used in each of Waters' films. This is frequently the result of the death of an actor, as was the case with Maelcum Soul, Edith Massey, Divine, and David Lochary. Other actors such as Jean Hill and Ricki Lake have not been used in every film, but appear occasionally.
Typically Waters would discover an actor and continue to use them in subsequent films. Most notably, Mary Vivian Pearce is the only Dreamlander to appear in every one of Waters' films, although her appearance in Cry-Baby was removed. Mink Stole has appeared in every Waters film except for Hag in a Black Leather Jacket (1964), Eat Your Makeup (1967), and The Diane Linkletter Story (1969). Although many Dreamlanders have a prolific history with Waters, the distinction of being a Dreamlander is generally bequested upon anyone who has made more than one Waters film, such as Traci Lords who appeared in Cry-Baby (1990) and Serial Mom (1994). Danny Mills is sometimes considered a Dreamlander despite only appearing in the 1972 film Pink Flamingos.
The Dreamlanders
Actors
- Divine
- David Lochary
- Susan Lowe
- Edith Massey
- Cookie Mueller
- Mary Vivian Pearce
- Channing Wilroy
- Jean Hill
- Maelcum Soul
- Mink Stole
- Danny Mills
- Susan Walsh
- Paul Swift
- George Figgs
- Elizabeth Coffey
- George Stover
- Patty Hearst
Crew
- Pat Moran - casting director
- Ed Peranio - associate design
- Vincent Peranio - production design
- Van Smith - costumes/makeup
- Steve Yeager - photography
References
- All the Dirt on "A Dirty Shame" 2004
- John Waters' DVD Scrapbook 2005
- Curley, Mallory. "A Cookie Mueller Encyclopedia," Randy Press, 2010