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Hairspray

  • 19881988
  • PGPG
  • 1h 32min
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
21K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,682
319
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Hairspray (1988)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:10
1 Video
40 Photos
ComedyDramaFamily

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

IMDb RATING
6.9/10
21K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,682
319
  • Director
    • John Waters
  • Writer
    • John Waters
  • Stars
    • Sonny Bono
    • Ruth Brown
    • Divine
Top credits
  • Director
    • John Waters
  • Writer
    • John Waters
  • Stars
    • Sonny Bono
    • Ruth Brown
    • Divine
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 72User reviews
    • 56Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 7 nominations

    Videos1

    Hairspray
    Trailer 2:10
    Hairspray

    Photos40

    Divine and Jerry Stiller in Hairspray (1988)
    Divine, Debbie Harry, Ricki Lake, and Vitamin C in Hairspray (1988)
    Hairspray (1988)
    Hairspray (1988)
    Divine, Debbie Harry, Ricki Lake, and Sonny Bono in Hairspray (1988)
    John Waters, Divine, Ricki Lake, Jean Hill, and Mary Vivian Pearce in Desperate Living (1977)
    Hairspray (1988)
    Divine, Debbie Harry, Ricki Lake, and Sonny Bono in Hairspray (1988)
    Hairspray (1988)
    Hairspray (1988)
    Hairspray (1988)
    Hairspray (1988)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Sonny Bono
    Sonny Bono
    • Franklin von Tussleas Franklin von Tussle
    Ruth Brown
    Ruth Brown
    • Motormouth Maybelleas Motormouth Maybelle
    Divine
    Divine
    • Edna Turnbladas Edna Turnblad…
    Debbie Harry
    Debbie Harry
    • Velma Von Tussleas Velma Von Tussle
    Ricki Lake
    Ricki Lake
    • Tracy Turnbladas Tracy Turnblad
    Jerry Stiller
    Jerry Stiller
    • Wilbur Turnbladas Wilbur Turnblad
    Vitamin C
    Vitamin C
    • Amber von Tussleas Amber von Tussle
    • (as Colleen Fitzpatrick)
    Michael St. Gerard
    Michael St. Gerard
    • Link Larkinas Link Larkin
    Leslie Ann Powers
    • Penny Pingletonas Penny Pingleton
    Clayton Prince
    Clayton Prince
    • Seaweedas Seaweed
    Mink Stole
    Mink Stole
    • Tammyas Tammy
    Shawn Thompson
    Shawn Thompson
    • Corny Collinsas Corny Collins
    Ric Ocasek
    Ric Ocasek
    • Beatnik Cat (special apperances)as Beatnik Cat (special apperances)
    Pia Zadora
    Pia Zadora
    • Beatnik Chickas Beatnik Chick
    Jo Ann Havrilla
    • Prudence Pingletonas Prudence Pingleton
    • (as Joann Havrilla)
    Alan J. Wendl
    • Mr. Pinkyas Mr. Pinky
    • (as Alan Wendl)
    Josh Charles
    Josh Charles
    • Iggyas Iggy
    • (as Josh A. Charles)
    Jason Downs
    Jason Downs
    • Bobbyas Bobby
    • Director
      • John Waters
    • Writer
      • John Waters
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

    Storyline

    Edit
    '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. —Jean-Marc Rocher <rocher@fiberbit.net>
    campyoverweight teenagerpsychotronic filmnerdcult director61 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • It's way beyond Grease.
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Drama
      • Family
      • Music
      • Musical
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Ricki Lake began rapidly losing weight due to the intense dance lessons she had to take for the film. She reportedly had to "eat like crazy" in order to stay plump.
    • Goofs
      In his advertising spot on the Corny Collins show, Mr. Pinky states that his 'Hefty Hideaway' "clothes for the ample woman" are "available in size 12 to 26", which, in 1988, would have been considered 'plus size'. However, in 1962 sizing, a size 12 was not a 'plus size'. In fact, the approximate measurements, in 1962, for a size 12 dress would have been 32-25-34.
    • Quotes

      Tracy Turnblad: Oh, Link I wish I had dark skin.

      Link Larkin: Tracy, our souls are black, though our skin is white.

    • Crazy credits
      During the ending credits, there are footsteps moving to the beat of the song playing in the background.
    • Alternate versions
      The main title credits in the Italian version misspell Ric Ocasek's name as "Rock Ocasek"
    • Connections
      Edited into I Love the '80s (2002)
    • Soundtracks
      Hairspray
      Written by Rachel Sweet, Willa Bassen, and Anthony Battaglia

      Performed by Rachel Sweet

      Produced by Kenny Vance

      Courtesy of Studio 900 Music, Sweet Rebel Music, and New Line Music

    User reviews72

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    See This Movie!
    I saw it when it first came out, I've seen it several times since, and my last viewing was just a few weeks ago. It never seems flat or old.

    It takes a look at an issue that doesn't necessarily seem to be a goldmine of laughs (racial difficulties in the early '60s) and turns it into just that without robbing it of any dignity or sense of importance. John Waters seems to have pulled out all the stops to insure this outcome, and it really paid off.

    The "pleasingly plump" pre-talk show Ricki Lake turns in a great performance in a role that's an inspiration to "chunky" girls everywhere.

    As always, Waters picks cameo and supporting actors that are dead-on perfect. His own turn as a psychologist is an absolute scream! Brimming with hysterical lines and set-ups, this is a comedy you need to see, if you haven't already.
    helpful•38
    7
    • lisado
    • Jan 31, 2000

    FAQ1

    • Both "Hairspray" films are rated PG. Why is this version more crude than the 2007 one?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 26, 1988 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • White Lipstick
    • Filming locations
      • Perry Hall High School - 8100 Ebenezer Rd, Perry Hall, Maryland, USA
    • Production companies
      • New Line Cinema
      • Stanley F. Buchthal
      • Robert Shaye Production
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $2,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $6,671,108
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $577,287
      • Feb 28, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $6,673,032
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 32min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Ultra Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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