'Pleasantly plump' teenager Tracy Turnblad achieves her dream of becoming a regular on the Corny Collins Dance Show. Now a teen hero, she starts using her fame to speak out for the causes she believes in, most of all integration. In doing so, she earns the wrath of the show's former star, Amber Von Tussle, as well as Amber's manipulative, pro-segregation parents. The rivalry comes to a head as Amber and Tracy vie for the title of Miss Auto Show 1963.
Acting
Divine playing both Tracy's mom AND a racist villain? Icon behavior.
Costume
Every bouffant is a character. The hair deserves its own credit.
Direction
Waters somehow made segregation campy without minimizing it.
Director
John Waters
Ricki Lake
Tracy Turnblad
Divine
Edna Turnblad / Arvin Hodgepile
Debbie Harry
Velma Von Tussle
Vitamin C
Amber von Tussle
Sonny Bono
Franklin von Tussle
Leslie Ann Powers
Penny Pingleton
Ruth Brown
Motormouth Maybelle
Jerry Stiller
Wilbur Turnblad
Michael St. Gerard
Link Larkin
Clayton Prince
Seaweed
Mink Stole
Tammy
Shawn Thompson
Corny Collins
Ric Ocasek
Beatnik Cat
Pia Zadora
Beatnik Chick
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Divine's dual role was so secret that many audiences didn't recognize him as Edna until the credits.
The Corny Collins Show is based on real Baltimore program 'The Buddy Deane Show,' which actually DID integrate in 1963 after protests—Waters just made it more fun.
US
