Hairspray

After an eight-year hiatus, director John Waters re-emerged in the film world with this movie which also placed him in the cinematic mainstream. Set in 1962 in Waters' hometown of Baltimore, the film is a merry cavalcade of the period's most authentically awful props, fads and textiles. Its heroine, Tracy Turnblad, is a cheerful, overweight but limber teen who wins a spot and instant fame on The Corny Collins Show, a thinly-veiled take-off on Dick Clark's American Bandstand. Dancing her way into Baltimore's hearts, Tracy arouses the envy of Amber Von Tussle, a blonde hair-hopper, who fears that Tracy will win the coveted Miss Auto Show tiara. Tracy is also unswerving in her efforts to integrate the show with Baltimore's talented black teens. Supporting her daughter's fledgling showbiz career and social conscience is her Rabelaisian mother, Edna, played by Divine in his last film role. (Circulates).

Tracy Turnblad and her best friend, Penny Pingleton, audition for The Corny Collins Show, a popular Baltimore teenage dance show. Despite being overweight, Tracy is a regular on the show, infuriating the show's queen, Amber Von Tussle. Tracy uses her newfound fame to champion the cause of racial integration.