Writer-director-star Timothy Carey -- "a rough-hewn, riveting beastie" -- took on his messianic project after slathering his twisted intensity over supporting parts in The Killers, Paths of Glory, One-Eyed Jacks and the immortal 1957 four-waller Poor White Trash.

No words can do it justice, but The World's Greatest Sinner captures ego on the rampage for both its protagonist and its maker. It's a breakneck parade of omnivorous blasphemy that's been called "the most inspiring depth-charge ever put on film."

Straight outta El Monte (the L.A.-'burb where this low-budgeter was filmed), Carey plays an insurance salesman who uses rock and roll to present himself as a new god, through spellbinding rhythms that inspire riots, a presidential campaign and underage sex. If that weren't wild enough, the outrageous movie's music comes courtesy of Frank Zappa, when this mother of invention was just 22 and beginning his career as a "musical bicyclist." (Zappa promotes "the world's worst movie" to Steve Allen in the vintage TV talk show clip here.)

Watch Carey mesmerize his rock flock: