IMDb > Hairspray (1988)
Hairspray
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Hairspray (1988) More at IMDbPro »


IMDb Holiday Movie Guide

Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   7,930 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 3% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
John Waters (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Hairspray on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 February 1988 (USA) more
Genre:
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. more
Plot:
A 'pleasantly plump' teenager teaches 1962 Baltimore a thing or two about integration after landing a spot on a local TV dance show. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
7 nominations more
User Comments:
Truly a classic more (53 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
White Lipstick (USA) (working title)
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Runtime:
92 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

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) more
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. more
Quotes:
Tracy Turnblad: I'm an integrationist. We shall overcome someday.
Beatnik Chick: Not with that hair, you won't.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in This Filthy World (2006) more
Soundtrack:
Pony Time more

FAQ

Both "Hairspray" films are rated PG. Why is this version more crude than the 2007 one?
Outline and a semi-official detailed chapter headings
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7 out of 12 people found the following comment useful.
Truly a classic, 11 June 2003
10/10
Author: diamondtiger59 from Waterdown, Ontario Canada

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.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Hairspray (1988)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
FILMED AT MY HIGH SCHOOL!!! joymariah
Line from this film used in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles zeno1138
definitely not for kids! ironicshowchoir
Pia Zadora ahersh17
Am I the only one who loved both versions (1988 + 2007)? BroadwayLovex3
The Two Du-Tones... 'The Bird'??? magic-dick
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