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.
- Director
- Writer
- Stars
- Awards
- 7 nominations
Videos1
Vitamin C
- Amber von Tussleas Amber von Tussle
- (as Colleen Fitzpatrick)
Jo Ann Havrilla
- Prudence Pingletonas Prudence Pingleton
- (as Joann Havrilla)
Alan J. Wendl
- Mr. Pinkyas Mr. Pinky
- (as Alan Wendl)
Josh Charles
- Iggyas Iggy
- (as Josh A. Charles)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
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. —Jean-Marc Rocher <rocher@fiberbit.net>
- Taglines
- It's way beyond Grease.
- Genres
- Certificate
- PG
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaRicki 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.
- GoofsIn 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 creditsDuring the ending credits, there are footsteps moving to the beat of the song playing in the background.
- Alternate versionsThe main title credits in the Italian version misspell Ric Ocasek's name as "Rock Ocasek"
- ConnectionsEdited into I Love the '80s (2002)
- SoundtracksHairspray
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
Top review
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.
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•387
- lisado
- Jan 31, 2000
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- White Lipstick
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- 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
- Runtime
- 1h 32min
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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