Hairspray

Starring:Sonny Bono, Ruth Brown, Josh Charles, Divine, Jason Downs, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Holter Graham, Deborah Harry, Joann Havrilla, Ricki Lake, Ric Ocasek, Leslie Ann Powers, Clayton Prince, Michael St. Gerard, Jerry Stiller, Mink Stole, Shawn Thompson, John Waters, Alan J. Wendl, Pia Zadora
Director: John Waters
Studio: New Line Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com essential video

John Waters made his bid for PG respectability with this enjoyably trashy comedy about the racial integration of a teen dance show on Baltimore television in the early '60s. Waters, as always, makes a virtue of junk culture and the powerful emotional forces it can represent as kids vie to get on the show. Meanwhile, a parade of former stars (Pia Zadora, Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono) and pseudostars (Divine, Ricki Lake) cross the screen, playing freakish characters absorbed by thoughts of fame. (Waters himself turns up as a weirdo psychiatrist.) This transitional film for Waters is rough going at times and not as interesting or funny as his later features Cry-Baby and Serial Mom, but it's worth a look. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

Great Great Family comedy!.......2007-06-23

This movie is probabally one of the best films I have ever seen! It is about an overweight girl named Tracey Turnblad (Ricki Lake) who, like every other Baltimore Teenager loves the local tv dance show the corny collins show. When her mother and father (Divine and Jerry Stiller ) find out her mother is angerd by the obsession but her father thinks it is a finee show with really no problem. When Tracey gets excepted as a dancer her mother loves the attention and publicity her daughter is getting. However with tracey becoming famous she kicks bratty Amber Von Tussle out of the spotlight. Amber, madder than ever starts spreading nasty rumors about tracey. However sweet sweet Tracey doesn't let it bother he. The rest is a hilarious fun comedy about dancing, the 60's and the serious part racial issues in Baltimore. Parents who may know John Water's other films are downright weird and nasty but there is nothing weird or nasty. However there is one scene where the kids are hiding from their parents and run into bizzare beatniks who suggest drugs but link sends a good message by getting him and his friends out of their and says to not do drugs or you's get addicted and get hurt. That's really the only reason it got the PG rating. I think that if the scene weren't in there it would be a G rating. Now for special features there is a nice reunion commentary between John Waters and Ricki Lake. Besides that there is the original trailer also I have not checked it out but the dvd case says there are special features only viewible on a computer. I highly reccomend this to all familys or just people who love fun movies. But parents of kids 7 and younger should watch this with them. So whether you rent it or buy it you will not be dissapointed!

Hairdo detention, integration angst, TV dancing competitions, kids who really knew how to tease and one great big campy YES !!!.......2007-06-13

Hairspray is one of John Waters' more mainstream movies in that it deals with the themes of racial tensions leading up to an integrated Baltimore, teen angst and first true loves, and those incredible dances and dance shows on TV from the late 1950s into the 1960s. Of course, with Hairspray being a John Waters movie, characters become grossly exaggerated for a humorous effect; you get a very funny, playful and harmless cast of both young and older people in Baltimore facing changing times as they try to live their lives as best they can.

Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake) is an overweight teenage girl who can shake off jokes about her weight with a type of self-confidence that is truly remarkable. Tracy and her friend Penny Pingleton (Joann Havrilla) enjoy watching and dancing along to The Corny Collins TV Show in Tracy's living room at home; and one day Tracy sets her mind to trying out for the show with some support from her friend Penny. When Tracy does try out on the Corny Collins TV dance show for dancing teenagers, she wins a spot on the council almost immediately! This upsets the stuck up, racist reigning queen Amber von Tussle and her parents (Sonny Bono and Debbie Harry) who make their living running Tilted Acres, a segregated theme park in Baltimore. As Tracy's star rises she also charms the heart of Amber's boyfriend, Link Larkin (Michael St. Gerard). Of course, this means war. Amber and her parents must--I mean, must--find a way to disgrace Tracy so that Amber can remain the star of the show and ultimately win the highly coveted 1963 Miss Auto Show award. Of course, as this all happens, Hairspray pokes fun at the obsession some people had with getting their hair to be as high and as perfect looking as they thought it could or should be.

The movie moves along at an even pace and the action keeps your attention. Look for John Waters himself as the psychiatrist hired by Penny's parents when they find out she has a black boyfriend named Seaweed. Divine turns in quite a performance as both Tracy Turnblad's mother and Arvin Hodgepile, the TV studio owner who could can The Corny Collins Show if it becomes integrated against his will. As if that weren't enough, Ruth Brown plays the role of Motormouth Maybelle, a female record store owner who is a prominent integrationist in Baltimore and who also sometimes judges on The Corny Collins Show.

Overall, the acting exceeds my expectations for a John Waters flick; and the choreography shines in great scenes where large crowds must move about. I won't give away the plot; but if you want to see excellent choreography look not at just the complicated dance scenes they had to manage but also the race riot scene near the Tilted Acres segregated amusement park.

The cinematography works well; and each character is developed nicely as the movie goes along. The casting is flawless, too.

Hairspray earns its keep quite well; it will hold your undivided attention as you howl with laughter all the way through! The DVD also features commentary by John Waters and Ricki Lake.

When it comes down to it, Hairspray manages to do be funny, hold your attention and explore rather serious issues concerning racial tensions, segregation, integration and the first true love each teen inevitably experiences--all at the same time and all in the same movie. That's quite a feat; and I recommend this film for fans of John Waters movies but also for people who enjoy comedies that involve social commentary. Great!

How is the new movie going to top this?.......2007-06-05

Honestly, I don't know.

I first became aware of Hairspray when I was 12-years-old(in the early 90's). It aired on Network television and I can't tell you how much I loved it! The music, the clothes, the dancing, and the poignant message of racial segregation had me riveted.

John Waters is notorious for making campy, sometimes just plain BAD, films. But Hairspray had the right amount of camp and attitude. I've seen the trailers for the new Hairspray film and I just don't see the flash and pizzazz of the original. I think I'll skip the theatre and pop in the DVD.

Fantastic!

wonderful!.......2007-05-30

I loved this movie! Ricki Lake is awesome :) who knew she could dance?!?

Dance Show Movie.......2007-05-25

This is the best movie ever. I love it. The new one is coming out soon. See the original before the new one! It's great. It's not really a musical it's a dance movie.

John Waters Collection (A Dirty Shame NC-17 Version / Desperate Living / Female Trouble / Hairspray / Pecker / Pink Flamingos / Polyester)

Average customer rating:

Close to perfect...
Good little collection......
john waters box set
Not bad, but not great.
Hilarious

John Waters Collection (A Dirty Shame NC-17 Version / Desperate Living / Female Trouble / Hairspray / Pecker / Pink Flamingos / Polyester)
Starring: John Waters Collection
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Comedy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Drama | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Cry Baby (Director's Cut)
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ASIN: B000929UPA
Release Date: 2005-06-14

Description

All new John Waters Gift Set that includes: A Dirty Shame, Desperate Living, Female Trouble, Hairspray, Pecker, Pink Flamingos, Polyester and a bonus disc of extras!

Customer Reviews:

Close to perfect..........2007-05-04

John Waters has been an inspiration, a guide in good (bad) taste and a personal hero since I was 13. 24 years later nothing has changed and this DVD box-set was a joy. It's like being shot in the head by your favourite member of the Manson Family or joining a sickening cult who relentlessly coerce you into getting a life.

I'm biased of course. I think John Water's movies should be obligatory by law. However I do have some questions...like where the hell is Multiple Maniacs and why has Serial Mom been omitted from the list?

What you DO get are classics like Pink Flamingos in which the protagonists struggle to prove themselves to be the filthiest people alive, while Desperate Living has the greatest Backwards Day scene ever filmed while hippies blasted on LSD shove babies into refrigerators. Also you get Female Trouble which is simply Divine's unquestionable masterpiece, while Pecker is just sublime and counts as the most loving tribute to a camera yet put on celluloid. All in all this cannot be missed but where the hell have Cry Baby and all the others got to?

The most series overlook is Multiple Maniacs and I'm still stuck without David Lochary as Mr David. I only have my VHS copy and the tape is wearing out. Please release it on a shiny plastic disk before I do something drastic and saw off my own face.

As Water's commented in Crackpot...much of what counted as showmanship in cinema is now dead. Thank god there is then a record of a man possessed of that vision who (unlike the infamous Jim Rose who once threatened to kill me when I compared his freak show with Water's visionary work) has an eye on the truly depraved. As always that's where the action is and there is no competing with it. A whole truckload of Quentin Tarantino's with their boring, tame, saleable zeitgeist crap have missed the bus. Perhaps you'll be on it with them heading to Retardsville instead of moving here?

I bought this with a Date With John Waters on CD. Great double pick. Still I'm missing the armpit licking and Divine's blasphemous unholy vision.

Water's really is The Pope Of Trash and this box-set will at least partially prove it. It makes me want to hit the banned-list and invite over a few nuns.

2000 out of 10.

Good little collection.............2007-02-26

I sometimes wonder if John Waters should've released two boxed sets. One containing the films prior to Hairspray and one after Hairspray, because it seems that the feel and focus of the films changed with that movie. Besides, that would make for a truly complete collection. However, I still enjoyed the box set. Some films I liked better than others obviously..... Personally, I enjoyed Water's newer films more than some of the old ones. Pink Flamingoes is still great, but some of the older flicks such as Female Trouble and Polyester seemed a bit boring to tell the truth. I highly enjoyed Pecker and A Dirty Shame. All in all, its a decent set. And the extra scrapbook disc adds some extras for die-hards to surf through.

john waters box set.......2007-01-12

this is a must have for any waters fan. the box set "very crudely yours" lives up to it's name.

Not bad, but not great........2006-11-03

The older films were a bit rough, as would be expected. Much of the acting is just awful, but that is the charm of the movies in some respects. I am glad that I got this set, but would hesitate to recommend it.

Hilarious.......2006-08-03

I've only recently discovered Jon Waters' movies. I had seen Pink Flamingos last year and loved it. Now, within the last 2 months I have purchased 5 of the movies in this collection as well as the Divine Trash documentary. I will only review the films i have seen (i have not seen Pecker or Hairspray)
1. Pink Flamingos-this movie is absolutely hilarious and is the best in this collection. Waters could not have cast a more perfect group of people-Divine, Mink Stole, Mary V. Pearce, Danny Mills, David Lochary and the unforgettable Edith Massey are all brilliant in their roles as dysfunctional perverts and freaks. The plot is very simple, the sets are simple...but the film is great. watch it with friends! [A+]

2. Female Troube-comes oh so close to being #1. This was the perfect follow-up to Pink Flamingos. It's not as gross though (which isn't saying a lot, it still has it's uneasy moments!). Divine gives a better performance this time around and Mink is priceless as Taffy. The scene with Divine in her see-through wedding dress had me howling on the floor. This is Waters' second best film. [A+]

3. Desperate Living-I had my reservations before seeing this one since Divine is not in it, but it turned out to be really good as well. I'm almost tempted to say that this one is even more gross than Pink Flamingos! It has a lot of laughs, although i do have some criticisms. The Mole characted was really annoying to me, I don't think Susan Lowe should have played the part. Also, the penis-cutting scene was a bit over the top. But on the better side, Mink Stole deserved an Academy Award for the performance, Jean Hill was a brilliant addition to the Waters gang, and Mary Vivian and Edith Massey were great, as always.Third best Waters film. [A]

4. Polyester-This is considered Waters' "transitional" film from underground to mainstream. It was a little more conventional, but still had enough of an edge to be considered a true Waters film, especially with the return of Divine. Honestly though, it wasn't as good as the previous three films. It had some good moments but it kind of dragged on a little bit. I also wish Mary Vivian would have been featured a lot more. [B-]

5. Dirty Shame-I was looking forward to this one since it was heralded as Waters' return to his nasty roots, but it just wasn't that good. Sorry to say it, but Waters' best days were in the late 60's and 70's. I barely even laughed through this one. I really don't see how it was even rated NC17, it didn't even come close to the filth from his 70's movies. [D+]

I recommend that you just buy the Trash trio: Pink Flamingos, Female Troube and Desperate Living-those are the 3 best he's ever done and ever will do. Cemented in stone as the Filthiest Movies Alive.

John Waters Collection #1: Hairspray/ Pecker (Special Edition)

Average customer rating:

FULL OF GRACE! FULL OF GRACE!
The Two "HAPPY" Movies Of The John Waters' Collection
John Waters - need I say more?
Least essential 'Special Edition' release....but fun!
Hairspray: The BEST Movie EVER NOW on DVD!

John Waters Collection #1: Hairspray/ Pecker (Special Edition)
Starring: Sonny Bono , Ruth Brown , Josh Charles , Divine , and Jason Downs
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00005B6OZ
Release Date: 2001-05-22

Amazon.com

John Waters made his bid for PG respectability with Hairspray, an enjoyably trashy comedy about the racial integration of a teen dance show on Baltimore television in the early '60s. Waters, as always, makes a virtue of junk culture and the powerful emotional forces it can represent as kids vie to get on the show. Meanwhile, a parade of former stars (Pia Zadora, Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono) and pseudostars (Divine, Ricki Lake) cross the screen, playing freakish characters absorbed by thoughts of fame.

Pecker (Edward Furlong) loves to use the camera to capture his fellow Baltimore residents living their daily lives. Of course, since Pecker is a Waters movie, those daily lives include visits to strip bars, shoplifting, and various other quirky, and frequently hilarious, human activities. When Pecker's makeshift photo exhibit comes to the attention of a New York art agent (Lili Taylor), Pecker becomes the latest sensation. Pecker has something to offend just about everyone. But those who take the offenses to heart would be missing out on what amounts to a sweet-natured farce.

Customer Reviews:

FULL OF GRACE! FULL OF GRACE!.......2003-01-13

I think these two movies are a must have for any Divine or John Waters fan.Even if they are pretty commercial and not as original as "Female Trouble" or "Mutiple Maniacs"(hopefully the latter of the two will be on DVD soon)they are wonderful example of wonderfully talented and sometimes shocking director.The cast in "Hairspray" are great including Debbie Harry,Sonny Bono,Ricki Lake and of corse,DIVINE!! "Pecker" has its moments and will grow on you as any true John Waters will.If you have never seen a Water's flick,this is a good place to start.

The Two "HAPPY" Movies Of The John Waters' Collection.......2002-03-07

"Hairspray" and "Pecker" are the tamest in the John Waters' collection. They are very enjoyable, even though they don't have the shock value that Waters earlier films had. I still absolutely adore both of these films and I'm thrilled that they are together on DVD. "Hairspray" is the last Waters' film that the late Divine appeared in. It showed the potential that Divine had in regards to his acting abilities. The movie is just flat-out fun, I would recommend it to anybody.

"Pecker" is one of John Waters recent films that I thoroughly enjoy. Its a ahppy little story that just floats along on screen, its really a pleasure to watch.

John Waters - need I say more?.......2002-01-19

All Waters fans - this is a no brainer. Two of the master's films for the price of one with a great commentary and an offer for a bonus disc (if you buy all three of the "collection"). I can't wait for Multiple Maniacs and Mondo Trasho! I would love to see some of his early stuff (Eat Your Makeup, Hag in a Black Leather Jacket) if it exists somewhere. Don't hesitate to buy this disc if your a fan.

Least essential 'Special Edition' release....but fun!.......2001-12-05

Of the three John Waters "Special Edition" releases, this is the only one that duplicates previous DVD releases...and thus it's the one collectors may opt to refuse. (...) The bonuses in this package aren't must-haves, though any film commentary with John Waters is a delight.

I guess some reviewers have a valid point about the mainstreaming of Waters' films...and these two films are case(s?) in point. But consider the limitations placed on the writer/director as his core cast was fragmented and the cost of filming movies soared skyward. In both "Hairspray" and "Pecker" I see minor concessions to the bland tastes of Popular culture, but nary a cop-out. (...) the subversive edge of Waters' often brilliant writing/direction is an ongoing exercise in (good) bad taste. If nothing else, his characters never do what you expect of them, quite a virtue in a film world besotted with "accessible" characterization.

Despite some brilliant moments, "Hairspray" is a bit cloying on the whole. This, in my opinion, is largely due to Ricki Lake in the lead role. Despite the usual outrageous Waters' dialogue, Lake delivers her lines with such sweetness and reverance that you just want to backhand her. To her credit, she furthers the old saw about fat girls being good dancers.

"Hairspray" is also a bit overlong with dance sequences, though they certainly lend a touch of authenticity to the production. The central story is roughly linear, though the bit with Tracy in reform school seems like a delaying tactic...especially since Waters' used a similar story device in "Cry Baby". On the plus side, the supporting cast is rich with freakish appeal. Divine's last role for Waters isn't flashy, but his Edna Turnblad is a credible, nuanced piece of work. Longtime cast member Mink Stole gets lots of screen time in a fairly minor role. Lots of silly and/or hysterical cameos: Pia Zadora, Ric Ocasek, Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono and a few more. The youth leads (mostly unknowns) are right on target...thoroughly believable in their parts.

Overall, "Hairspray" is probably the most accessible of Waters' latter-day films (...).

"Pecker" is a good choice to complement "Hairspray" in this edition. Both films have youthful leads, and both deal (directly or indirectly) with social issues such as race and class. The appeal of these films is also a bit gentler and good-humored than some of Waters' recent offerings. "Pecker" might take a while to sink in with old-time fans, as it did with me. I don't know if it's because there are other writers and directors actively pursuing the raunch genre that Waters' pioneered, or because "Pecker" has such simple charms.

I grudge the obligatory star power of Lili Taylor and Indie Waif Christina Ricci, low-wattage that it may be. Otherwise, the casting and performances in "Pecker" are on target. Mary Kay Place is fretful and yet blissfully sedate as the thrift store maven; a role that seems an appropriate homage to Waters' long time friend and star, Edith Massey. Martha Plimpton plays the ultimate fag hag ("My life is trade!") with dizzy abandon. Ed Furlong's Pecker (um, keep reading) is the most functional idiot savant imagineable...a tireless servant to the "art" all around, and completely oblivious to social norms and responsibilities.

Despite a feel-good ending that smooths over a fair number of conflicts, "Pecker" is a funny and satisfying film. The rabid idiosyncrasies of Waters' characters play off each other with the kind of manic glee you can find in "Pink Flamingos" or even "Polyester." The 'turnabout' plot actually works, if you take a good look at some of Pecks' pics from his NYC premiere. (...)

Fans who already own "Pecker" on DVD may opt to wait for a single disc release for "Hairspray." Considering how infrequently some of his films have been available on home video, I'm pretty sure longtime fans like myself will snap this collection up on sight. Recommended.

Hairspray: The BEST Movie EVER NOW on DVD!.......2001-06-14

I'm not going to bother to review the actual movies themselves, since there is no point in criticizing perfection! I'm thrilled to finally have "Hairspray" on DVD! What I will say is: I find it extremely puzzling that New Line decided to put "Hairspray" out with "Pecker." I totally understand that "Pecker" is probably the tamest (along with Hairspray- "Cry Baby" was released by Universal so New Line probably doesn't have the rights to release it) of the John Waters movies- but I would say that it's safe to say that all of the John Waters fans with DVD players bought "Pecker" the day it came out! (Well, I did!) The "Pecker" DVD IS NOT the same DVD that was out before. It has some new menu screens AND the cast/crew bios are now gone. Everything else is the same. The "Hairspray" DVD is great- the movie has never looked this good before! I've seen the movie hundreds of times, and I discovered things I had never seen before when I watched the pristine DVD. John and Ricki's commentary is interesting but it's glaringly obvious that the two of them did not record the commentary together. New Line has attempted to sort of "paste together" their commentaries to make you think they were there together- but you can tell they really weren't. Ricki's commentary is somewhat limited to her revealing that she was extremely upset about having to dye her hair and she says that she still wishes that she could have worn a wig. She also talks about how she got the part- but it's her comments on her hair that keep coming up! (I guess she really has a reason to complain! They really did a number on her hair!) It would have been nice if John and Ricki could have recorded their commentaries together- to react against what each was saying. Other than that- just about everything is perfection. The packaging for this DVD could have been a little nicer with more pictures (the velcro that keeps it all closed is sort of CHEAP!)- New Line could have come up with something a little more clever- but I'M NOT COMPLAINING! I'm just happy to have "Hairspray" on DVD!

Average customer rating:

Great Great Family comedy!
Hairdo detention, integration angst, TV dancing competitions, kids who really knew how to tease and one great big campy YES !!!
How is the new movie going to top this?
wonderful!
Dance Show Movie

Hairspray [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000247638

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Great Great Family comedy!.......2007-06-23

Hairdo detention, integration angst, TV dancing competitions, kids who really knew how to tease and one great big campy YES !!!.......2007-06-13

How is the new movie going to top this?.......2007-06-05

wonderful!.......2007-05-30

I loved this movie! Ricki Lake is awesome :) who knew she could dance?!?

Dance Show Movie.......2007-05-25

This is the best movie ever. I love it. The new one is coming out soon. See the original before the new one! It's great. It's not really a musical it's a dance movie.

Average customer rating:

Hollywood Hairspray
Starring: Various Artists
Manufacturer: Perris Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music

General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000929A6Y
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Description

For those about to rock, Perris Records salutes you with their first ever, long awaited DVD release entitled "Hollywood Hairspray - The DVD" March 22nd, 2005 marks the release date for this incredible new DVD featuring 11 videos and interviews from Stephen Pearcy, Broken Teeth, Babylon A.D., Nasty Idols, Stampede Queen, CRASHDIET, Cherry St. and others. Also included is some bonus material including the never before seen video for "Pissed" by Dangerous Toys.

Average customer rating:

Hairspray
Starring: John Travolta , Nicole Blonsky , Christopher Walken , Amanda Bynes , and Zac Efron
Director: Adam Shankman
ProductGroup: Theatrical Release
Binding: Theatrical Release
ASIN: B00005JODK

John Waters Collection (Hairspray / Pecker / Polyester / Desperate Living / Pink Flamingos / Female Trouble)

Average customer rating:

Hey C. Lander, go to hell
Ban John waters?
There are two types of people in the world
Trashy Genius
John Water's Films Helped Me Survive My Youth

John Waters Collection (Hairspray / Pecker / Polyester / Desperate Living / Pink Flamingos / Female Trouble)
Starring: John Waters
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

( J ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Comedy | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00006JMRS
Release Date: 2003-05-13

Amazon.com

Director John Waters breaks new boundaries of bad taste with the six-film John Waters Collection. Waters actually made his bid for PG respectability with Hairspray, an enjoyably trashy comedy about the racial integration of a teen dance show on Baltimore television in the early '60s. Waters, as always, makes a virtue of junk culture and the powerful emotional forces it can represent as kids vie to get on the show. Meanwhile, a parade of former stars (Pia Zadora, Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono) and pseudostars (Divine, Ricki Lake) cross the screen, playing freakish characters absorbed by thoughts of fame.

In Waters's hilariously trashy tale of suburban misadventure Polyester, his favorite leading lady, transvestite Divine, plays Francine Fishpaw, a dissatisfied suburban housefrau who longs for a little romance in her life because her husband and children drive her crazy. Salvation arrives in the form of Tod Tomorrow (Tab Hunter), a drive-in owner who sweeps Francine off her feet (a mean task, given Divine's girth). But he's not all he's cracked up to be.

Everyone in Desperate Living's Mortville has some horrible secret to hide. The mentally unstable Peggy Gravel (Mink Stole, in a superb display of overacting) and her 300-pound-plus maid Grizelda must take it on the lam after Grizelda smothers Peggy's husband under her elephantine buttocks. They find themselves in Mortville, a shanty fiefdom ruled by the grotesque Queen Carlotta (the incomparable Edith Massey). The evil queen delights in tormenting her subjects, but Peggy and Grizelda soon team up with a pair of lesbian outcasts, and a rebellion is in the air. Notable for the absence of Waters regular Divine, this movie pushes the rest of the cast to their over-the-top best. Nasty, shabby, gross, and hilarious, this is John Waters at his best.

Pink Flamingos is the movie that made Waters famous, and quite possibly the film that made bad taste cool. The plot revolves around two vile families laying claim to the title "The Filthiest People Alive." You've got pregnant women in pits, you've got grown men getting sexual satisfaction from chickens, you've got people licking furniture to perform trailer-park voodoo, and you've got classic lines like: "Oh my God! The couch ... it ... it rejected you!" Waters made this celluloid sideshow with one aim--to make a name for himself. It worked.

In Female Trouble, cross-dressing cult icon Divine is at her most gleefully outrageous as teenage brat Dawn Davenport, who runs away from home and into a life of wanton hedonism all because she didn't get cha-cha heels for Christmas. Almost immediately she's molested by a sleazy motorcycle thug (also played by Divine), but she doesn't let motherhood interfere with her plans of stardom and turns herself into an unlikely fashion statement in an apocalyptic fashion show. Waters's fourth feature is just as cinematically primitive and even more gleefully vulgar, right down to the electric climax of Dawn's road to everlasting fame.

Description

7 DVD gift set contains 6 classic John Waters films plus a bonus DVD with extra features including interviews, deleted scenes and outakes.

Customer Reviews:

Hey C. Lander, go to hell.......2005-04-11

Hey C. Lander, f*** you. John Waters movies SUCK (except Hairspray and Pecker) and Steven Spielberg has a quadrillion times more talent than John Waters.

Ban John waters?.......2004-08-06

Lol One of the reviews blasting waters names Steven Spielberg as one of the greatest directors of all time. Spielbergs movies are all over budgeted crapfests for christian Familys who live in the suburbs. Waters is daring,original and has far more talent than that hack spielberg. Ban movies like Jurassic park instead.

There are two types of people in the world.......2004-06-22

People who like John Waters's movies, and @$$holes. (Note for the humour-impaired: go to dictionary.com and look up the word "joke" - you'll find life easier afterwards.)

This set is remarkable. Not only do we get John's five best movies and Pecker, complete with the maestro's side-splitting commentary tracks, but we get a bonus DVD with all kinds of treasures: clips from unfinished movies, interviews old & new, and assorted relevant weirdness.

If you get John Waters, you need this set. If you don't, well there's plenty of other junk out there.

Trashy Genius.......2004-03-14

John Waters has spent the past 40 years teaching us all the true meaning of filthiness. Finally, New Line Home Cinema has digitalized the biggest of his films. More important still, classics like Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, and Desperate Living are all presented in their entirety (sorry Jack).

The DVDs are beautiful. The commentaries are hilarious. The frames have never been so offensive. As an added bonus, the new 32mm prints are circulating among local (local as in your nearest big city local) theatres for midnite runs. Who'd of guessed?

If you are a new fan, aka Hairspray on Broadway, then perhaps you'd be best renting them first... though you won't find them at Blockbuster. Otherwise, you know what you're in for... buy them already!

John Water's Films Helped Me Survive My Youth.......2004-02-19

As a young teen, I was raised in a terrible town that was obsessed with sports. No efforts were truly put into giving the children culture. If you were a young male, you either played sports or you were odd. I was odd. I was more interested in painting and music. I had to 'culture' myself. I would get on the bus and go to the city to see architecture, museums, plays, and concerts. Usually by myself. This is around the time I discovered the films of Divine. Here was an outrageous figure not afraid to be himself. Surrounded by an entire group of outcasts and misfits. I almost felt like part of the Dreamlanders (the name given to this group of people). I sought out anything by Divine or John Waters that I could get my hands on. That is how I discovered all of these films.
Watching these films helped me to realize there was an entire world outside of my dreary town and its dreary residents.
And the world was filled with all kinds of wonderful, artistic and bizaare people (who actually made me look dull and normal).
Say what you will about Divine and John Waters. But they really helped me survive my youth.
Now as for this box set. You cannot beat this deal. You get the best of John Waters all in one set. If you bought these films separately, you would pay a lot more than this price.

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Hairspray
Starring: John Travolta , Nicole Blonsky , Christopher Walken , Amanda Bynes , and Zac Efron
Director: Adam Shankman
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00005JODM

DVD:

DVD List

DVD

DVD

National Geographic Video - Volcano!

The Loneliness Of The Long Distance Runner

Apartment (REGION 1) (NTSC)

DVD: Elephant Parts

A Tour Of The Universe