Hairspray (1988)

Director:

John Waters

Writer:

John Waters (written by)

Release Date:

26 February 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Music

Tagline:

Baltimore, 1962. The heyday of hair-dos and hair-don'ts, Heartthrobs and hefty girls, hot dates and hip talkers, beatniks and hair hoppers, and one magical potion that keeps it all together.

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Integration | Dance | One Word Title | Baltimore Maryland | Teenage Girl

Awards:

7 nominations

Cast

Sonny Bono	...	Franklin von Tussle
Ruth Brown	...	Motormouth Maybelle
Divine	...	Edna Turnblad / Arvin Hodgepile
Deborah Harry	...	Velma Von Tussle (as Debbie Harry)
Ricki Lake	...	Tracy Turnblad
Jerry Stiller	...	Wilbur Turnblad
Colleen Fitzpatrick	...	Amber von Tussle
Michael St. Gerard	...	Link Larkin
Leslie Ann Powers	...	Penny Pingleton
Clayton Prince	...	Seaweed
Mink Stole	...	Tammy
Shawn Thompson	...	Corny Collins
Ric Ocasek	...	Beatnik Cat (special apperances)
Pia Zadora	...	Beatnik Chick (special apperances)
Joann Havrilla	...	Prudence Pingleton

Also Known As:

White Lipstick (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

92 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:PG | Finland:S | UK:PG | USA:PG | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

New Line Cinema

Trivia:

Remade on the Broadway stage in 2002 as a musical starring Harvey Fierstein (and later, Bruce Vilanch, Michael McKean and John Pinette) in the role of Edna Turnblad (played in the film by Divine) and 'Marissa Jaret Winoker' in the role of Tracy Turnblad (played in the film by Ricki Lake)

Goofs:

Factual errors: During the dodge ball scene at Mervo High, bleachers are seen in the schoolyard. The bleachers actually did not go up until 1968. This film was set five years earlier.

Quotes:

Tracy Turnblad: I'm an integrationist. We shall overcome someday.
Beatnik Chick: Not with that hair, you won't.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in This Filthy World (2006)

Soundtrack:

Pony Time

Truly a classic

This movie is terrific. It oozes John Waters even though it is very toned down compared to his earlier films. I love the storyline because it has to do with very realistic themes that were happening in those times. It's sad to know that this was Divine's last movie but he went all out in it. Obviously, this movie was good enough to have a musical made out of it. Of all the musical type films out there, Hairspray remains one of my favourites.