Welcome to Queertyâs inaugural entry in our Queerantined: Daily Dose series. Every day as long as the COVID-19 pandemic has us under quarantine, weâll release a suggested bit of gloriously queer entertainment designed to keep you from getting stir crazy in the house.
The OG: Hairspray
John Waters made an instant classic that somehow manages to walk the line between a family movie and outright filthâŚas only the Pope of Trash can. Ricki Lake makes a plucky debut in the role of Tracey Turnblad, a fat girl with her eyes on becoming the most popular girl in school. Divine gives his best performance as Traceyâs mother Edna, proving that genderblind casting can have an awesome effect in the right role. Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono, Ruth Brown, Mink Stole, Vitamin C, Jerry Stiller and Pia Zadora also star, in a campy pastiche of nostalgia and racial commentary. Besides the abundant comedy, Hairspray also features a delightful soundtrack of 60s doo-wop music. Youâll want to get up and dance.
Given the lack of access to gyms during this pandemic, thatâs not a bad thing.
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Streams on YouTube, iTunes, Amazon & Vudu.
Jared MacBride
It’s a great movie – much preferable to the remake – and a great choice if you could use a few dozen laughs.
G-Man
I totally agree much better than the remake.
Norm
OMG, it’s one of my favorite movies ever! I’ve seen it so many times I think I could recite every word, LOL. I loved Divine. POLYESTER is my second favorite movie. If you haven’t seen that, you missed a great film.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Pink Flamingos anyone?
Please don’t eat prior to viewing….
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Kangol2
The original Hairspray is a gem. The scene where Ricky Lake makes her entrance after getting out of jail and joins the dancers is one of my favorite in any of Waters’ or any other films. It’s also a truly hilarious but beautifully rendered social critique, and actually captures the essence of the era in which it’s set. Waters created a masterpiece with this film, and it will definitely pick you up during this extremely disturbing moment we’re living through.