Hairspray (film)
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The American movie Hairspray (1988) (also known by its code title, White Lipstick) was written & directed by John Waters. It is a cult classic known for an unusual portrayal of racial issues through Waters' characteristic edgy humor.
The film itself can be considered monumental when compared to Waters' earlier works. Hairspray earned a 'PG' rating from the MPAA; all of Waters' earlier films had been rated X with the exception of Polyester, which was rated 'R'.
Hairspray was the last of Waters' films to star Divine. Months after the premiere, Divine died in his sleep.
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[edit] Plot summary
The film is told from the perspective of teenager Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake) in 1962. Although, in her own words 'pleasantly plump', Tracy achieves her ambition of joining the regular dancers on The Corny Collins Dance Show, which airs daily in her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland, although having to deal with the constant "raggings-on" of rival dancer Amber von Tussle, who will do everything in her power to see that Tracy fails in her efforts. However, after referring to Tracy, in front of Corny Collins as a "Trash-Can", she is given demerit points and loses her on-air crush, Link Larkin, to Tracy. Tracy uses her new-found fame to champion the cause of racial integration and, along the way, finds True Love with handsome fellow-dancer, Link, as well as winning the coveted title of Miss Auto Show 1963.
The amusement park scenes in the movie were filmed at Allentown, Pennsylvania's Dorney Park.
[edit] Cast
- Sonny Bono .... Franklin von Tussle
- Ruth Brown .... Motormouth Maybelle
- Divine .... Edna Turnblad/Arvin Hodgepile
- Debbie Harry .... Velma Von Tussle
- Ricki Lake .... Tracy Turnblad
- Jerry Stiller .... Wilbur Turnblad
- Colleen Fitzpatrick .... Amber von Tussle
- Michael St. Gerard .... Link Larkin
- Leslie Ann Powers .... Penny Pingleton
- Clayton Prince .... Seaweed
- Mink Stole .... Tammy
- Shawn Thompson .... Corny Collins
- Josh Charles .... Iggy
[edit] Miscellaneous
In 2002, the film was adapted into a Broadway musical, also called Hairspray. The Broadway musical will be re-adapted as a musical film in 2007, as has happened in the case of The Producers and Little Shop of Horrors. It will star John Travolta and Queen Latifah as Edna Turnblad and Motormouth Maybelle, respectively.
The Corny Collins Dance Show was modeled on the Buddy Dean Show, which appeared on local television in Baltimore and was similar to American Bandstand.
The film marks the first screen appearance of Josh Charles, who went on to star in Dead Poets Society and Sports Night.
[edit] External links
fr:Hairspray (film) ja:ヘアスプレー ru:Лак для волос (фильм) sv:Hairspray
