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:

He's a doll. He's a dreamboat. He's a delinquent.

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

In an interview about the movie, Traci Lords emotionally recalls how the entire cast rallied together to make her feel welcomed and safe. While being investigated by the FBI during filming, John Waters and others would hide Tracy because the 22 year old was so terrified about the ordeal. Afterwards, she speaks about how they all told embarrassing stories they had about run-ins with the law to show that she wasn't alone.

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Goofs

When Cry Baby signals for Allison to come sing with him, his hand leaves the guitar strings but you can hear the guitar playing.

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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

To avoid a 15 certificate for its UK cinema release, some uses of the word 'fuck' were bleeped. The cinema release was rated 12, but the video release was still rated 15 (because the 12 certificate wasn't used for video recordings until 1994). The current UK DVD release has all uses of 'fuck' unbleeped, and is rated 15.

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Connections

Referenced in The Late Show with Stephen Colbert: James Marsden/Jimmie Johnson/John Waters (2016)

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Soundtracks

GEE!
Written by Wiliam E. Davis and Morris Levy
Performed by The Crows
Courtesy of Rhino Records Inc.
Additional vocals by James Intveld

User Reviews

I Love... It so totally ROCKED!!!....It Johnny Depp Looked Awesome!!!!

This movie i loved it. Johnny Depp is one of my most Favorite actors in the world. JOHNNY DEPP U ROCK!!! It kind of reminded me of Grease accept it was like a thousand times better than Grease. It kept me interested throughout the hole movie. I liked parts of it on the TV so much that I had to buy it. I give this double thumbs up. The songs in this movie I loved them my favorite song was "KING CRY-BABY" along with "PLEASE MR. JAILER", "DOIN TIME FOR BEIN YOUNG" and "HIGH SCHOOL HELLCATS". The only thing i didn't like was the ending cause i don't think a girl no matter who it is could land that lightly on someone after being flung off a motorcycle go at i don't know what speed. But I LOVE IT ANYWAY!!!

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