IMDb > Hairspray (1988)
Hairspray
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Hairspray (1988) More at IMDbPro »


Overview

User Rating:
6.8/10   7,908 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
John Waters
Writer:
John Waters (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Hairspray on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
26 February 1988 (USA) more
Genre:
Comedy | Drama | Music more
Tagline:
Baltimore, 1962. The heyday of hair-dos and hair-don'ts, Heartthrobs and hefty girls, hot dates and hip talkers, beatniks and hair hoppers, and one magical potion that keeps it all together. more
Plot:
A 'pleasantly plump' teenager teaches 1962 Baltimore a thing or two about integration after landing a spot on a local TV dance show. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
7 nominations more
User Comments:
Timeless teen satire more (53 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)
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Additional Details

Also Known As:
White Lipstick (USA) (working title)
more
Runtime:
92 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Colour:
Colour
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Ultra Stereo

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Edna Turnblad says that "The times, they are a-changin'. Something's blowin' in the wind." Both lines are quotes from Bob Dylan songs. more
Goofs:
Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Corny introduces himself at the auto show, the audio is not in sync with his lips. more
Quotes:
Prudence Pingleton: [Seaweed is hiding in Penny's bedroom] Oh my God! There's colored people in my house! I'm going to make a citizen's arrest! more
Movie Connections:
Featured in The Search for Tracy Turnblad (2007) (V) more
Soundtrack:
Pony Time more

FAQ

Both "Hairspray" films are rated PG. Why is this version more crude than the 2007 one?
Outline and a semi-official detailed chapter headings
more
21 out of 24 people found the following comment useful.
Timeless teen satire, 16 June 2002
8/10
Author: dhalgren74 from Tampa, Florida

Easily John Waters' best flick in terms of writing, direction, and mainstream appeal, it still has great little twisted touches like the rat Tracy kicks mid-makeout with her boyfriend, & her witchy rival's inevitable barf scene at the amusement park her bigoted parents (played by rock stars Sonny Bono and Debbie Harry) own. There's a strong undercurrent about race relations in 1962 Baltimore where the story is set, highlighted by Mrs Pingleton (Joanne Havrila)'s moronic descent into a black neighborhood to 'rescue' her daughter Penny from the arms of her black boyfriend Seaweed & be ridiculed by the residents. This is crosscut with the sheer exhilaration that Tracy & Penny are having dancing with their beaus in a black record shop down the street. Divine is hilarious as both Tracy's mom and the racist owner of the television station which hosts the Corny Collins 'American Bandstand' clone. And the music is fabulous early rock'n'roll, all Brill Building & pre-Motown soul stuff like Lesley Gore & Chubby Checker, with wonderful choreography throughout.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Hairspray (1988)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
FILMED AT MY HIGH SCHOOL!!! joymariah
Line from this film used in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles zeno1138
definitely not for kids! ironicshowchoir
Pia Zadora ahersh17
Am I the only one who loved both versions (1988 + 2007)? BroadwayLovex3
The Two Du-Tones... 'The Bird'??? magic-dick
more

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