Cry-Baby (1990)

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

Stars:

Johnny Depp, Ricki Lake, Amy Locane

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	...	Toe-Joe
Troy Donahue	...	Hatchet's Father
Mink Stole	...	Hatchet's Mother
Joe Dallesandro	...	Milton's Father

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.

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Plot Keywords:

1950s | forbidden love | dysfunctional family | greaser | teen movie | 

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Taglines:

Good girls want him bad. Bad girls want him worse.

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to an interview, Amy Locane was only 17 when she played the part of Allison and said she was young and didnt have much kissing experience. She said Johnny Depp basically taught her how to French kiss.

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Goofs

The movie is set in 1954 (given away by the banner in the gymnasium during the polio vaccinations that reads "Congratulations Class of 54!"). However, Milton is seen reading a copy of "Tales To Astonish #12" in Ramona's house. That comic came out in October 1960.

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Quotes

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

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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.

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Alternate Versions

In the original version, the courtroom scene has an exchange between Wanda (Traci Lords) and her mother and father (Patricia Hearst and David Nelson) where Wanda asks her parents to get her out of the situation. Specifically, she asks them to get her "the fuck" out of here. "Fuck" is beeped out when Wanda initially utters it, and subsequent uses of the word are beeped as well when Wanda's mother asks her husband what the F-word means. The beeping-out continues until Wanda's mother asks the judge if she can take her daughter "the fuck home," uncensored, causing the courtroom audience to chuckle. In a version being aired on "Indie" channel in November, 2007, the scene is intact, but the word "fuck" is not beeped out.

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Connections

Featured in MsMojo: Top 10 Most Underrated '90s Teen Movies (2019)

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Soundtracks

JAILBIRD
Written by Bruce Morgan
Performed by Sonny Knight
By Arrangement with Deck Records c/o Original Sound Entertainment

User Reviews

A brilliant performance

I admit, on first hearing about this film even I (the major Johnny Depp fan) was a bit skeptical to view it. But, I figured, hey, it's JD, why not? And, I now must say, that is goes down as one of my favorite movies. Why? because it's an amazing spoof my John Waters. As a lover of old musicals from the 50s and 60s, it's just amusing to watch a spoof of them, especially one done so well as this. My fav scene (don't worry..no spoilers..) is one where Crybaby (JD) performs a song in a comedic Elvis Presley fashion, which shows how dynamic JD is as an actor. what else makes this movie great? The music. There's not one boring song where you feel like it'll never end, because you don't want it to end. (yes, i own the soundtrack..i'm pathetic, i know). It's just a great movie..well, if you like a musical that spoofs other musicals.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 April 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cry-Baby

Filming Locations:

USA

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Imagine Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min 91 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1