Banned by the Carpenter Estate, Todd Haynes' experimental biopic Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story - which uses dolls to narrate the tragic life of the American singer - has attained significant cult status due to its illegality and lack of availability. This study details the film's fascinating history: its production and initial reception, the journey through the courts, and the subsequent bootleg circulation amongst fans. Superstar's rich, provocative and moving content is also explored, with attention focused on the film's aesthetics, generic form and its cultural position as a hybrid text.