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Hairspray

  • 1988
  • S
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
23K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,740
1,558
Hairspray (1988)
Official Trailer
Play trailer2:10
1 Video
76 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.

  • Director
    • John Waters
  • Writer
    • John Waters
  • Stars
    • Sonny Bono
    • Ruth Brown
    • Divine
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    23K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,740
    1,558
    • Director
      • John Waters
    • Writer
      • John Waters
    • Stars
      • Sonny Bono
      • Ruth Brown
      • Divine
    • 76User reviews
    • 57Critic reviews
    • 77Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 7 nominations

    Videos1

    Hairspray
    Trailer 2:10
    Watch Hairspray

    Photos76

    Divine and Jerry Stiller in Hairspray (1988)
    Divine, Debbie Harry, Ricki Lake, and Vitamin C in Hairspray (1988)
    John Waters and Divine at an event for 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)
    Christina Ricci and Edward Furlong in Hairspray (1988)
    Hairspray (1988)

    Top cast

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

    Storyline

    Edit

    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
      When Tracy Turnblad and her friends are in Motormouth Maybelle's record shop, The Supremes album "Supremes A Go-Go," from 1966, is behind them.
    • Quotes

      Tracy Turnblad: Oh, Link. This is so romantic. l wish - l wish l was dark-skinned.

      Link Larkin: Tracy, our souls are black, even 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 reviews76

    Review
    Review
    Featured 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•37
    7
    • lisado
    • Jan 31, 2000

    Top picks

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    FAQ1

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

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 2, 1988 (Finland)
    • 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(should be 4601 Ebenezer Road, Perry Hall, MD)
    • 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
      • $6,675,931
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 32 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Ultra Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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    Hairspray (1988)
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