Hairspray

by Diana Landau, David James (Photographs), John Travolta (Contributor)

Audiences have fallen in love with Hairspray and its heroine, Tracy Turnblad--a girl with big hair, big dreams and an even bigger heart--since John Waters created this original, subversively hilarious film in 1988. Next the hit Broadway musical won countless more fans and an armful of Tonys in 2003. Now Hairspray returns to the screen as an innovative movie musical from New Line Cinema, the producers of Chicago, and director-choreographer Adam Shankman.
This lavish companion book celebrates the singular phenomenon that is Hairspray, and the supremely talented cast and crew who brought this new incarnation to life. Features about the cast, locations, sets, and costumes give readers an intimate look behind the scenes. Here are profiles of Hairspray's extraordinary actors, all of whom do their own singing and dancing in the film. John Travolta stars in a career-bending twist as Edna Turnblad, the role created by the late Divine. The dream cast also includes Queen Latifah (Motormouth Maybelle), Michelle Pfeiffer (Velma Von Tussle), and Christopher Walken (Wilbur Turnblad) as well as rising young stars led by new talent Nikki Blonsky as Tracy.
Hairspray captures the spirit of a time when everything was changing, in music and in society. This special volume captures the essence of the film's creative achievement with more than 200 vivid production photographs and first-person contributions by Waters, director Shankman (Bringing Down the House), and producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. From casting and scripting to rehearsing, shooting scenes and recording the music--it's all explored and depicted in a unique collector's edition.

Features:
Film poster and postcards
Booklets that highlight various behind-the-scenes production details
Character profiles including a tip-in "45 RPM single," key facts and Hairspray trivia printed on the facsimile record's sleeve

Genres: Plays, Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published July 2, 2007

Reviews

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of movie companion books who always buy them whenever I'm obsessed with a certain movie, I can honestly say that this book is among the best among its kind that's ever been published.

Yes, this is a book that's clearly designed for fans of the Hairspray movie musical directed by Adam Shankman, but the book is so much more than that. Not only does it talk about the evolution of Hairspray from cult film to stage musical and finally to a movie musical (the foreword by John Waters is a lovely read), it also gives us references of the things mentioned in the movie (the John Glenn mention, which Edna uttered in one of the scenes, is explained; dances of the sixties revealed; the history of segregation addressed, etc.) Its stylish design and gorgeous photographs are candies to the eyes. Tidbits like faux TV posters, stickers and envelopes become Easter eggs that you can try to spot and play around with.

It's a coffee table book that is as fun as the film that it represents. No matter how many times you revisit the book, just like either one of the Hairspray movies and musical, you will never get bored. It's only fitting that a sensational pop culture phenomenon like Hairspray gets a tribute in the print format such as this one.

[Imani]

¨Hairspray ¨ takes place in a the small city of baltimore The main character tracy turnblad had always been insecure about her weight , and physical features , she always had a dream to dance on the corny collins show .Throughout her journey to stardom , she faced racial descrimintaion because she was friends with the ¨ black people¨ . This book is amazing. Personally I feel this way because it's a kid friendly book that also teaches you about racism in our daily lives . Which can also teach younger kids . In the ending of the book Tracy , the corny Collins show and the ¨ black folks all ended up dancing for the same show! I rate this book 5 stars , especially the movie . age range wise i think everybody should read this book , it teaches u alot ! definity recommend

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book much better than the movie.

[🐦‍⬛ · Rating 3 out of 5]

turns out, you can’t actually stop the beat

[Aliyah Castleberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hairspray is a fantastic book based on a teenage girl named Tracy Turnblad. Tracy isn't your typical girl from the 1960's.She is larger than most girls her age, she likes to wear her hair up very large and high, her dad owns a comedy shop called the "Hardy Har Hut", and she really only has one friend who's name is Penny. Penny and Tracy were basically inseparable, and they had one very large thing in common, they LOVE "The Corny Collins Show". "The Corny Collins Show" is a show that is about the "cool" kids on the block and they dance around and sing on TV.
One day the show has auditions for new cast members so Tracy and Penny go down to the station to audition. Tracy is an amazing dancer and singer but all that the lady in charge of the show sees is her weight. The woman also points out a little African American girl who wanted to try out as well and basically kicked her out! This really bothered Tracy.
One day Tracy ends up in detention and there are a bunch of African American teenagers in the detention room who are dancing and listening to music and Tracy thinks that they're pretty cool! What sets Tracy apart from the rest of the people in this book is that she doesn't really see color, she looks more at who the person is and I personally think that is really cool.
Throughout the book Tracy ends up befriending some of the kids who she met in the detention room and ends up striking with them, and she also ends up on "The Corny Collins Show"!
The thing that really set this book apart for me is that I know what it feels like to be an outcast and the fact that Tracy is different but she shows everyone that different is good really made it all the better. The other really big thing that I loved about this book was that even though racism was still pretty big in this book, Tracy didn't care and she treated everyone equally!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

And now I want to watch Hairspray. And Grease, which is more or less a normal Saturday night for me.

Fun book; but it could have used a double check in editing. They refer to Link Larkin as Link Larson at one point. And I'm not completely sure where some of the quotes came from, either the original or the show, but it's not this movie.
Other than that it was great getting the back story of the making of the movie and I loved the pictures.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it!

[Ryan Malik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent chronicle of the movie's creation. A must for any filmmaker who wants to know how to make a successful movie musical.

[Benjamin Doss · Rating 4 out of 5]

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