Movies - Hairspray

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	Movies - Hairspray

The American movie Hairspray (1988) was written & directed by John Waters. It is a relatively obscure 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 garnered an X rating when released (with the exception of Polyester, which was rated 'R'). Re-releases of the X-rated movies after 1990 were given the new NC-17 rating.

Hairspray also was the last film of Waters' to star Divine. Months after the premiere, Divine died in his sleep.

Plot summary

The film is told from the perspective of teenager Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake). 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 kicked off the show and replaced by Tracy. Tracy uses her new-found fame to champion the cause of racial integration and, along the way, finds True Love with a handsome fellow-dancer, Link Larkin, as well as winning the coveted title of Miss Auto Show 1963.

Wings TEC Critics Awards

Won: Best Film
Nominated: Best Director - John Waters
Won: Best Adaptated Screenplay
Won: Best Costumes DEsign
Nominated: Best Make Up
Won: Best Hair Design
Won: Best LEad Actress - Ricki Lake
Nominated: Best Supporting Actress - Leslie Ann Powers
Won: Best Cast
Nominated: Best Original Score
Nominated: Best Cinematography
Nominated: Best Editing
Won: Best Art Direction

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

Miscellaneous

In 2002, the film was adapted into a Broadway musical (see separate entry). The Broadway musical will be re-adapted as a musical film in 2007, similar to The Producers. It will star John Travolta and Queen Latifah as Edna Turnblad and Motormouth Maybelle, respectively. The Wiki article can be found at Hairspray (2007 film).

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.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Hairspray (film) ]

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Movies - Hairspray

Plot summary

Wings TEC Critics Awards

Cast

Miscellaneous

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