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Hairspray
1987
Baltimore, 1962. Ample, energetic teen Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake) wants nothing more than to get on hip local TV dance programme THE CORNY COLLINS SHOW. When she finally gets her way, her lively dance moves and bubbly personality are met with unexpected popularity, along with the ire of a fellow dancer, scheming Amber Von .. Read more
| Starring | Divine, Michael St. Gerard, Ricki Lake, Deborah Harry |
|---|---|
| Director | John Waters |
| Genres | Comedy, Music/Musical, Teen |
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Hairspray
Baltimore, 1962. Ample, energetic teen Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake) wants nothing more than to get on hip local TV dance programme THE CORNY COLLINS SHOW. When she finally gets her way, her lively dance moves and bubbly personality are met with unexpected popularity, along with the ire of a fellow dancer, scheming Amber Von Tussle (Colleen Fitzpatrick). Furthermore, when she witnesses firsthand the terrible state of race relations in Baltimore, Tracy becomes an outspoken advocate for the de-segregation of THE CORNY COLLINS SHOW.
John Waters's first PG-rated film is also his most sweet-natured and accessible. Based on his appreciation of the real-life 1960s Baltimore dance programme THE BUDDY DEANE SHOW, Waters's affection for the era and attention to authenticity shines through. Lake, in her first film performance, radiates charm and enthusiasm. Divine, in his last (dual) role, appears as both Tracy's mother, Edna, and dastardly TV station manager Arvin Hodgepile. As if that weren't enough, an inspired cast of cameos (Pia Zadora, Ric Ocasek, Waters himself) and a virtual instruction manual of faddish period dances and their accompanying songs serve only to make the deal even sweeter.
| Starring | Divine, Michael St. Gerard, Ricki Lake, Deborah Harry, Pia Zadora, Ruth Brown, Sonny Bono, Jerry Stiller |
|---|---|
| Director | John Waters |
| Studio | ENTERTAINMENT IN VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 28 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Comedy, Music/Musical, Teen |
| Language | English |
| Released | DVD: 10 May 2004 Production year: 1987 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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These days Ricki Lake has to deal with more than her fair share of eccentrics on her chat show, but she probably still hasn't come across anyone weirder than John Waters, who launched her into stardom with this kitsch classic. Waters tones down his usual excesses, but his mischievous black sense of humour is still very much to the fore in this affectionate salute to Z-grade teen movies. Lake is the fun-loving Tracy Turnblad, who becomes the new teen dancing queen much to the horror of her wealthy, snobbish parents, who want their daughter to shine. The soundtrack is a constant delight, as is the eclectic cast, which ranges from Waters' regulars Divine (his last movie) and Mink Stole, through to Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono, Pia Zadora and former Cars singer Ric Ocasek.
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Waters' most hygienically commercial film is a Retro schlock-fancier's delight. Remember backcombing and the beehive,... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful member's review
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6 out of 7 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Absolutely brilliant!
This film is absolutely amazing; and is the original 1987 version of Hairspray.
The acting is superb, as of course is the dancing. All of the leads are absolutely fantastic and the plot is flawless.
This is one of the funniest films you will have seen in a long time - you HAVE to see it!!!
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- dancingthroughlife from London
- Posted 12 Jun 2007 16:35
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Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Why bother watching the remake?!!!
Cannot understand why they remade this... oh yes of course to make some more money and avoid having to think up a new script!
Rather than an over-produced smarmy effort from this decade, stick to the orignal. Great tunes, outrageous dancing, some very well known faces and despite the fun and the all important inspriational tale about an average overweight lower class working girl' making it' there is still a serious message intertwined about the small mindedness that still existed in America at that relatively recent time. -
News and features
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Walken to replace Broadbent in Hairspray
- 17 Aug 2006
Legendary dancer and cult actor Christopher Walken is to replace Jim Broadbent in Hairspray, according to reports. Industry paper Variety reported that the academy award winning Jim Broadbent, known for his roles in Iris, Bridget Jones' Diary and Moulin Rouge, has been dropped from the production in favour of Walken. No reason has been given for Walken taking over from Broadbent in the role of Wilbur Turnbald - the father of main character Tracy. "Chris was the person Scott and I wanted in Read more
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