Thu 11/13 @ 7PM
The 1988 John Waters-written and -directed film Hairspray is a one-of-a kind film by a one-of-a-kind director whose sensibility earmarks all his work. This film is rooted in the “bandstand” programs of the 50s and 60s (the best known being Dick Clark’s nationally syndicated American Bandstand) where teenagers danced to records and “guest stars” lipsynched their current hits. Taking place in 1962, it features Ricki Lake in her screen debut (she later hosted one of those talk shows that were ubiquitous in the 90s and early 2000s) as Traci Turnblad, an overweight teenager with dreams of bandstand dance stardom, which she realizes while using her position to push back against racial segregation, which was generally practiced on such TV shows. Lots of wild and improbably things happen because, hey, it’s a John Waters film (although this one is noted for being less “adults Only” than most of his work). The movie features drag artist Divine and Blondie’s Deborah Harry in key roles as the mothers of Traci and her rival Amber, R&B star Ruth Brown, as another mom, and the Cars’ Rik Ocasek and eternal “starlet” Pia Zadora in cameos.
The film is the next entry in the Rock Hall’s fall film series. Go here to get your tickets.