Bootleg Betty
Today In History: Divine Madness Premiered At Toronto Film Festival
By Mister D
Sept. 17, 2025
Divine Madness is a 1980 concert film featuring Bette Midler, capturing her electrifying live performance at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in February 1979. Directed by Michael Ritchie, the film showcases Midler’s larger-than-life persona, blending comedy, music, and theatrical flair. It premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on September 17, 1980, and was released in theaters in the US on September 26, 1980, by Warner Bros. Following her rise to fame as a singer, actress, and comedian.
The movie features performances of hits like “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,” “The Rose,” and “Stay with Me,” alongside comedic sketches and monologues that showcase her iconic character, Dolores DeLago, the “Toast of Chicago.” Backed by the Harlettes, her backup singers, Midler’s show is a mix of camp, vaudeville, and raw emotional ballads, highlighting her versatility. The film also features her bawdy humor and audience interaction, which were hallmarks of her live shows.
Shot over four nights, the performances were edited into a 94-minute film, emphasizing Midler’s stage presence and vocal power. It was her first major concert film, capitalizing on her success following the release of “The Rose” (1979). Critics praised her charisma but noted the film’s loose structure, as it leaned heavily on the live experience rather than a polished cinematic narrative. The soundtrack, released in 1980, peaked at #34 on the Billboard 200.
Divine Madness grossed around $5 million at the box office, a modest success, and later became a cult favorite on home video and cable. It’s a time capsule of Midler’s early career, showcasing her as a boundary-pushing performer before she transitioned to more mainstream film roles in the ‘80s. The film’s raw energy and Midler’s unapologetic style make it a standout document of her “Divine Miss M” era.
