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Cry-Baby (1990)

PG-13 | | Comedy, Musical | 6 April 1990 (USA)
In 1950s Baltimore, a bad boy with a heart of gold wins the love of a good girl, whose boyfriend sets out for revenge.

Director:

John Waters

Writer:

John Waters
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Popularity
2,099 ( 371)

Photos

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Johnny Depp ... Cry-Baby
Amy Locane ... Allison Vernon-Williams
Susan Tyrrell ... Ramona Rickettes
Polly Bergen ... Mrs. Vernon-Williams
Iggy Pop ... Belvedere Rickettes
Ricki Lake ... Pepper Walker
Traci Lords ... Wanda Woodward
Kim McGuire ... Mona 'Hatchet-Face' Malnorowski
Darren E. Burrows ... Milton Hackett
Stephen Mailer ... Baldwin
Kim Webb ... Lenora Frigid
Alan J. Wendl Alan J. Wendl ... Toe-Joe
Troy Donahue ... Hatchet's Father
Mink Stole ... Hatchet's Mother
Joe Dallesandro ... Milton's Father
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Storyline

Allison is a "square" good girl who has decided she wants to be bad and falls hard for Cry-Baby Walker, a Greaser (or "Drape" in John Waters parlance). Spoofing Elvis movies and Juvenile Delinquency scare films of the '50s, this movie follows the adventures of Cry-Baby who, though he is sent to juvie, is determined to cross class (and taste) boundaries to get Allison back. Written by Linda (& Moo)

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Good girls want him bad. Bad girls want him worse. See more »

Genres:

Comedy | Musical

Certificate:

PG-13 | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Due to the huge success of Hairspray (1988), John Waters got offers from all the big studios to finance his next movie. The budget for this movie was twelve million dollars, while Hairspray (1988) was made for 2.5 million dollars. See more »

Goofs

When all of the drapes are being taken into the courthouse to see the judge, Allison comes in with handcuffs on. The next time we see her, she has the handcuffs off. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Wanda's mother: Hi Kids. Remember, always look both ways before crossing.
Wanda: [embarassed] Mother!
See more »

Crazy Credits

The film begins with an old-fashioned 50's style Universal logo. It's also accompanied by 50's doo-wop music. A stage curtain opens up the movie. See more »

Alternate Versions

The USA cable network version has a few extra scenes, including two extra songs, "Chicken" and "The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane":
  • Hatchetface's parents selling cigarettes by the school
  • Toe-Joe's does a "work-with-me" spiel instead of thanking his "Nudie Cutie"
  • an added act of a flexible little girl in the RSVP charm school talent show
  • extra footage of Hatchtface chasing Snaredrum and Susie Q around Ramona's front lawn
  • Lenora's "gunboats" are now "goldmines"
  • The third verse of Allison's song, "Teenage Prayer," is included
  • Extra footage of Cry-Baby driving his motorcycle to the charm school, a cop chasing him and an air raid drill that interupts Allison's act
  • Cry-Baby combs his hair instead of adjusting his crotch when he gets off of his motorcycle;
  • "Lay That Pistol Down" dance number is included
  • Cry-Baby arrives during "So Young" instead of before the song beginning, as in video version
  • In the movie, Hatchetface says, "Ain't ya got tits? Stick 'em out for God's sake!" In the USA Network version, she says, "Ain't ya got a figure? Show it!"
  • There is a longer scene with Wanda, her parents, and Inga, the Swedish exchange student
  • The showdown is at Turkey Point instead of at the press conference in front of the prison
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Connections

Referenced in Fresh Bait (1995) See more »

Soundtracks

JUNGLE DRUMS
Written by Ernesto Lecuona, Carmen Lombardo and Charles O'Flynn
Performed by Earl Bostic
Courtesy of G.M.L. Inc.
By Arrangement with Celebrity Licensing
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User Reviews

 
Troubled Love
28 September 2005 | by Cassi_HaywardSee all my reviews

The movie "Cry Baby" is about a young boy and girl from opposite sides of the track falling in love. Wade "Cry baby" Walker (Johnny Depp) is considered a drape and a juvenile delinquent, and Alison (Amy Locane) is considered a square and a perfect angel. In their time Drapes and Squares were not seen together. Cry Baby fights with all his heart going up against an ex-boyfriend, a concerned grandmother, and even jail to keep his love with Alison.

Baldwin (Stephen Mailer), Alison's ex-boyfriend, does everything in his power to keep Alison to himself and away from Cry Baby. He picks fights and gets his gang together to vandalize the drapes property.

Alison's grandma (Polly Bergen) is like the leader of the squares and in the beginning worries that Cry Baby will be the downfall of her grandchild. Since she is left with Alison's care, she is over protective; but she wants Alison happy more than anything. In the end she comes around and tells Alison to choose the man her heart loves.

I believe director John Waters made a new twist to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and this provides a happy ending. Through his movie, Waters tells us that love happens when it happens and that no matter what background we come from, we should fight for love with all our hearts.

I love this movie. The first time I saw this movie as a four year old girl, I said I was going to marry Cry Baby. I recommend this movie to everyone. It has action for men and romance for women. I think that it transports us back in time and helps us see the conferences of the two social classes and feeds our belief that love really can conquer it all. I have probably watched this movie a thousand times and will probably watch it a thousand more. It definitely is worth the eighty-five minutes it takes to watch.


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Frequently Asked Questions

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 April 1990 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Cry-Baby See more »

Filming Locations:

USA See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$11,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,004,905, 8 April 1990

Gross USA:

$8,266,343

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$8,266,343
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Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

| (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »

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