In Role Models, one of my role models, John Waters, shares his list of people that molded him into the cult film making, cultural icon we know and love. His list of influencers includes a variety of unexpected folks. (How about Little Richard, Tennessee Williams and Saint Catherine of Sienna? Just to name a few.) Each named role model comes complete with a colorful explanation of why they made the list. This is intertwined with interesting and revealing reminiscences on Water’s beloved Baltimore, career and alternative views on life.

A somewhat forgotten, but equally interesting protégé and colleague of John’s is Cookie Mueller. Her life is chronicled in Chloe Griffin’s Edgewise: A Picture of Cookie Mueller. Like John, she grew up in 1950’s suburban Baltimore and could not wait to leave. Name a subversive cultural hot spot of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s and she was there. Water’s film aficionados will know her as “Cookie the Spy” in Pink Flamingos. Her life’s story is told through the remembrances of family, friends and lovers.