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Hairspray (1988)

6.7
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Ratings: 6.7/10 from 11,471 users   Metascore: 76/100
Reviews: 59 user | 33 critic | 13 from Metacritic.com

A 'pleasantly plump' teenager teaches 1962 Baltimore a thing or two about integration after landing a spot on a local TV dance show.

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Title: Hairspray (1988)

Hairspray (1988) on IMDb 6.7/10

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Ruth Brown ...
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Velma Von Tussle (as Debbie Harry)
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Michael St. Gerard ...
Leslie Ann Powers ...
Clayton Prince ...
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Storyline

'Pleasantly Plump' teenager Tracy Turnblad achieves her dream of becoming a regular on the Corny Collins Dance Show. Now a teen hero, she starts using her fame to speak out for the causes she believes in, most of all integration. In doing so, she earns the wrath of the show's former star, Amber Von Tussle, as well as Amber's manipulative, pro-segregation parents. The rivalry comes to a head as Amber and Tracy vie for the title of Miss Auto Show 1963. Written by Jean-Marc Rocher <rocher@fiberbit.net>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

A movie with a beat you can laugh to! See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Music | Romance

Certificate:

PG | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

 »
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Details

Country:

Language:

Release Date:

26 February 1988 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

White Lipstick  »

Filming Locations:

 »

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$6,671,108 (USA)
 »

Company Credits

Show detailed on  »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

John Waters' first PG-rated film. See more »

Goofs

The Maryland Governor's Mansion is in Annapolis, not Baltimore. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Tracy Turnblad: Come on! Come on!
Penny Pingleton: Okay, all right.
Tracy Turnblad: Will you hurry up?
See more »

Crazy Credits

During the ending credits, there are footsteps moving to the beat of the song playing in the background. See more »

Connections

Spoofed in That Thing You Do! (1996) See more »

Soundtracks

"The Roach Dance"
Written by Alonzo B. Willis and Kathy Vanetoulis
Performed by Gene and Wendell
Courtesy of Original Sound Entertainment
See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
I'm an integrationist. We shall overcome someday.
23 February 2008 | by (United States) – See all my reviews

It is hard to believe that we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of this film this week. It is even harder to believe that just one week after it opened Divine left the world's stage forever.

But, the star of the show was Ricki Lake in her first year as a film actress. She camped up John Water's script and delivered an enjoyable musical movie with a message that is just as important today as it was 20 years ago.

It was really interesting seeing people like Sonny Bono, Blondie, Jerry Stiller, Pia Zadora, and, of course, writer/director John Waters himself.

A goofy satire that is just as good today as it was then.


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