Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story / Todd Haynes

The experimental filmmaker Todd Haynes burst upon the scene two years after his graduation from Brown University with his now-infamous 43-minute cult treasure "Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story" (1987). Seizing upon the inspired gimmick of using Barbie and Ken dolls to sympathetically recount the story of the pop star's death from anorexia, he spent months making miniature dishes, chairs, costumes, Kleenex and Ex-Lax boxes, and Carpenters' records to create the film's intricate, doll-size mise-en-scene. The result was both audacious and accomplished as the dolls seemingly ceased to be dolls leaving the audience weeping for the tragic singer. Unfortunately, Richard Carpenter's enmity for the film (which made him look like a selfish jerk) led to the serving of a "cease and desist" order in 1989, and despite the director's offer "to only show the film in clinics and schools, with all money going to the Karen Carpenter memorial fund for anorexia research," "Superstar" remains buried, one of the few films in modern America that cannot be seen by the general public.

• Category

  Film & Animation

[PDXNTV]

Thanks for posting the entire movie, rather than parts (I've been looking for years). I saw this soon after its release, I think at the Portland Art Museum.

Question: any idea why the video transfers are all so dark? It looks like just one was made (poorly) years ago, and that's what we're stuck with. Bummer.

[OutcastingTube]

Depends what format it was shot on and what it was transferred to. Maybe something got lost in the transfer?

[teeohpee]

I saw this at The Pyramid Club, in the 80's. A night of a 1000 Karen Carpenter's. Thanks for uploading the whole film, I thought it was banned from ever being shown again.

[OutcastingTube]

I think the ban only applies to broadcasting in the USA. The video seems to have passed through the YouTube screening process so it can be left on here until YouTube decides otherwise.

[teeohpee]

I'm gay and I've never understood how liking certain things, like music or wearing certain colors, means anything other than you like it. There's only one thing that determines whether you are gay. I think the Carpenter's had a too wholesome American image, and Richard with his issues, to fit into the gay icon category. Maybe if Karen had been solo that would've made a difference, though good music will attract many fans - gay or straight.

[GloriaD5767]

The part where's she's in the studio, then the camera pulls away and it looks like she's on a stage with a spotlight was one of the best scenes in this movie.

[camillelyon]

Did you watch the whole thing? It's quite touching and painful.

[Amberly Ashes]

Yeah, I know loads of straight guys that love Cher and Liza Menalli(sp?). I don't think "gay icon" means "oh this group of people have to love them" it just refers to a flamboyant performer in most cases.

[Elizabeth Figueroa]

sooooooooo stupid, did a child do this?

[KristalynJ]

is this made with barbies? wtfffff........ok........LMAO

[Shaung1231]

was that jean harlow?

[IVIIIVV]

I bought this years ago and still love it.