Women We Love: Mink Stole

We don't usually fall for uptight prudes or religious zealots, but when they're played by Mink Stole, we'll make an exception.

As all purveyors of queer cinema know, Stole gained fame (notoriety?) as one of the original members of John Waters' guerilla filmmaking ensemble. In fact, she was one of the cast members who were infamously arrested during the making of Mondo Trasho, wherein she also memorably tap-danced topless.

Stole frequently played more then one character in the early days, such as the "religious whore" who "seduces" Divine with a rosary in Multiple Maniacs. She and Divine often played adversaries onscreen, most notoriously in the midnight movie classic Pink Flamingos as two clannish matriarchs competing for the title of "The Filthiest Person Alive".

Female Trouble, Desperate Living and Polyester followed, but it was the original Hairspray that finally found Stole and Divine playing on the same side (ironically, it would turn out to be Divine's final film with Stole). In Cry-Baby, Stole spent much of her time in an iron lung, but she was back with a vengeance as the prudish neighbor Dottie Hinkle in Serial Mom. Her profanity-riddled telephone exchanges with Kathleen Turner have become legendary.

Through the years, Stole's roles in Water's films (Pecker, Cecil B. Demented, A Dirty Shame) grew smaller, but her own cult status earned her roles in such gay-themed movies as Leather Jacket Love Story, But I'm a Cheerleader and, most recently, Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds. But to us, she will always be Connie Marble. Or Taffy Davenport. Or Marge the Neuter. Or ...

Link via Imbd.com.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Bathhouse

Broadway is having a gay ol' time with the return of an old favorite in this week's round up of all things From Screen to Stage:

- The revival of Terrence McNally's door-slamming sex farce The Ritz, set in a New York bathhouse circa the 1970's, starts previews today. Actually, it was supposed to start yesterday, but a last-minute cast change pushed back the opening. (No, don't worry, it wasn't Ryan Idol.)

The new production stars Kevin Chamberlin, Rosie Perez (in the role made famous -- and Tony winning -- by Rita Moreno) and our favorite Playbill columnist, Seth Rudetsky. In his latest column, Seth recounts the horrors of tech week ... and having to pee next to a porn star.

- If you didn't get enough of Cheyenne Jackson in this week's "Out in Film", then get thee to YouTube, where you can see him and a very Aussie-fied Kerry Butler in their performance of "Suddenly" from Xanadu, as seen this week on The View.

- Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 29: That's the day Legally Blonde - The Musical will debut on MTV. To tide you over until then, QueerSighted chats with Elle's nemesis, a former Miss America (seriously), actress Kate Shindle.

- Have you ever dreamed of owning the complete score of Annie, a.k.a. "The Red Album"? How about hearing any of the infamous Annie 2: Miss Hannigan's Revenge? Well, your show tune wishes will finally be answered with the upcoming "30th Anniversary Cast Recording" -- and then some. Several Annie alumni returned for the event, including original orphan Andrea McArdle and movie Hannigan Carol Burnett. The sun truly will come out tomorrow.

- In other anniversary news, West Side Story is nearing its 50th. To celebrate the occasion, the Library of Congress will open a new exhibit displaying rare photos, set designs and other items exploring the "Birth of a Classic".

Also in honor of the landmark musical's golden anniversary, a new tribute CD has been released, featuring such stars as Barbra Streisand, Julie Andrews and Kristin Chenoweth singing such classics as "Tonight" and "I Feel Pretty". Click here to purchase A Place for Us: A Tribute to 50 Years of West Side Storyfrom Amazon.com.

- In more news on the classics, South Pacific will get its first Broadway revival ever, and they've already found their Nellie and Emile. Meanwhile, don't hold your breath for that starry revival of Guys and Dolls, and Lou Diamond Phillips is the new King Arthur in Camelot on tour. Yes, I said Lou Diamond Phillips.

- Also making its first return to Broadway: Les Liaisons Dangereuses, told and retold many times on film, most famously as Dangerous Liaisons and Cruel Intentions.

- Sweeney Todd: The Movie will spawn Sweeney Todd: The Soundtrack and Sweeney Todd: The Companion Book.(You can pre-order the book from Amazon.com by clicking the link.)

- The Grinch will get some new songs for Christmas this year.

- And finally, in this week's Hairspray news: Jim J. Bullock will replace Jerry Mathers as Wilbur Turnblad. In other words, Monroe Ficus is taking over where Beaver Cleaver left off. And with Paul Vogt as Edna, who knows where Tracy came from ...

Links via Playbill.com, Broadway.com, YouTube.com and QueerSighted.com.

Attention All Hairhoppers! November 20 is D-Day!

D-day as in DVD day!

Hairspray, this summer's smash musical hit, is hitting DVD November 20 in a big way with four different versions: a single-disc version, a two-disc "Shake & Shimmy" edition in both standard DVD and Blu-ray, plus a special goodies-packed gift set. (An HD-DVD will be released sometime next year.)

The "Shake & Shimmy" edition will come with one of those funky covers that changes pictures when you tilt it (like the Transamerica DVD), in this case from the teens to the adults, as pictured above.

I hardly ever listen to audio commentaries or watch deleted scenes unless I have to, but in this case, I can't wait to devour everything they give me. In addition to that, the two-discer will include a "making of" doc, featurettes on all the dancing, a sing along option (oh yeah) and, most intriguingly, an all new musical number called "I Can Wait". I have no clue what this song is, but personally, I can't wait to hear it.

The two-disc version is included in the deluxe gift pack, which comes in a mini-metal locker (in either "Link Lime" or "Penny Pink"! Cute! But where's the Tracy Turquoise or Edna Eggplant?) that you can decorate with the stickers and photos included, plus a nifty Hairspray tote bag (Big Edie will like that).

And if that isn't enough Hairspray for you for one day, a special two-disc deluxe edition of the now Certified Gold soundtrack will also be released on November 20th! This limited run CD will include "karaoke versions of Hairspray hits, non-soundtrack songs, never-before-heard outtakes, demo recordings, trading cards and more in a special gift set package!"

So start saving your allowance, Hairhoppers! The DVDs and new CD are not yet available for pre-order on Amazon.com yet, but I'll post the links when they are.

And don't forget to vote for your favorite Hairspray song in the MD Poll! You can find it in the sidebar at right, below my profile.

Links via HairsprayMovie.com.

Heroes for Our Time

In their current issue celebrating their 40th anniversary, The Advocate has revealed their list of the "40 Greatest Gay Heroes", compiled from readers' votes from a nomination list of 100 prominent GLBT people from the past 40 years.

As I previously reported, there were several individuals with ties to the entertainment world, and the final tally includes twelve gay men and women (pictured above) who have made their mark on film, including the number one spot and four more in the top ten:

• #1: Ellen DeGeneres - Click here for her Out in Film profile.
• #5: Melissa Etheridge - The Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter won the Oscar last year for An Inconvenient Truth.
• #7: Harvey Fierstein - Tony Award-winning actor/playwright; star of Torch Song Trilogy on both stage and screen; originated the role of Edna Turnblad in Hairspray on Broadway.
• #8: Elton John - Won Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe for The Lion King, also starred as the Pinball Wizard in Tommy and won the Tony for Aida.
• #10: Rosie O'Donnell - Now known primarily as an outspoken talk show host, she co-starred in such films as A League of Their Own, Sleepless in Seattle and The Flintstones.
• #13: Greg Louganis - The Olympic Gold Medal-winner has done some acting as well, including the film It's My Party.
• #16: Ian McKellen - Click here for his Out in Film profile.
• #18: Larry Kramer - Controversial activist, author and playwright (The Normal Heart), he was nominated for an Oscar for his Women in Love screenplay.
• #19: k.d. lang - The Grammy-winning singer occasionally acts, such as in Salmonberries and the recent The Black Dahlia.
• #22: Armistead Maupin - Best-selling author, he adapted his popular Tales of the City for television and The Night Listener for film. He also contributed to the movie version of The Celluloid Closet.
• #25: Tony Kushner - The Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning playwright of the Angels in America saga also won an Emmy for his TV adaptation. Also Oscar nominated for his Munich screenplay.
• #29: John Waters - Iconoclast cult queer filmmaker, creator of Pink Flamingos, Polyester, Serial Mom and the original Hairspray.

Congratulations to all! The Advocate has not yet posted the full list online, but you can see it over at Homorific (and in the comments section below); and be sure to vote in the Advocate "Gay Heroes"-themed MD Poll, located under my profile in the sidebar at right.

UPDATE: The poll is now closed, click here for the results, and click here to vote in the latest MD Poll.

MD Poll: Your Favorite Hairspray Song!

I'm kicking off a new feature here at Movie Dearest: the MD Poll! And since we all loved this summer's runaway hit, the very first poll asks the question: "What is your favorite Hairspray song?"

Do you wake up singing "Good Morning Baltimore" everyday? Are you one of "The Nicest Kids in Town"? Ever dream of Zac Efron picking you as the "Ladies' Choice"? If "You Can't Stop the Beat", then this poll is for you. You can find it in the sidebar at the right, just below my profile.

I'll be running this first poll for two weeks to get a feel for the response; future polls may run longer or shorter, depending on the reactions. And if you have any ideas for a future poll, just leave your suggestions in the handy-dandy comments section below.

One more thing: if you need a refresher listen to the songs, you can hear excerpts from the official Hairspray soundtrack album right hereat Amazon.com, where you can buy it too (if you haven't already)!

UPDATE: This poll is now closed. Click here to see the results, and click here to vote in the latest MD Poll.

Link via HairsprayMovie.com.

Horse Play With Daniel Radcliffe

The weekly look at all that's in the works from Broadway to Hollywood and back again:

- For you muggles out there who couldn't make it to London for his au naturale performance in Equus, Daniel Radcliffe promises that he will soon be blinding horses stateside by the end of next year, if all goes well. Radcliffe's Harry Potter uncle Richard Griffiths (Tony winner for The History Boys) will co-star.

- Like, ohmygod! Taking their cue from Hairspray and Grease (both of which have been benefiting nicely from exposure in other mediums), Legally Blonde will soon be filmed live for a future broadcast on MTV. And if you so desire (and are willing to wear a pink shirt), you can even be in the audience.

- Speaking of Grease (and really, when are we not?), meet the revival's scene-stealing Rizzo, Jenny Powers, and check out the track list for the newest cast recording, on sale October 2 (Click here to pre-order the new albumfrom Amazon.com).

Meanwhile, Grease: You're the One That I Want hostess Denise Van Outen has (get this) been cast as the militant Maureen in London's Rent. Not to be catty, but isn't she a teensy bit past her prime mooing years?

- In more music news, original Maureen Idina Menzel has released a club mix of her big Wicked showstopper, the divalicious "Defying Gravity". Click here to purchase the CDfrom Amazon.com.

- As playwright Terrence McNally and stars Rosie Perez and Kevin Chamberlin chat up The Ritz, Seth Rudetsky dishes on his co-star/fellow "bathhouse patron" Ryan Idol. Seth also recounts his recent one-on-one with Xanadu hunk Cheyenne Jackson.

- Get ready to return to La Cage aux Folles, via a West End revival; no word yet if the star of the recent New York run, Gary Beach, will "strap on his fake boobs again" for it though.

Elsewhere, this is what the Episcopalians think about a high school musical about drag queens. Who woulda thunk it?

- Director Rob Marshall has revealed his star-studded, international cast for his big screen adaptation of Nine, although only one (Sophia Loren) is actually Italian.

- "They're the Dreamgirls ..." The originals, that is: Sheryl Lee Ralph, Loretta Devine and Jennifer Holliday will reunite in LA for a "one night only" benefit performance. And I'm telling you, I'm going ... (OK, I'll stop now.)

- Tours from around the world: 42nd Street in China, Little Shop of Horrors in the UK and 12 Angry Men in the US of A.

- Billy Elliot, soon to be grande jeté-ing his way to Broadway, celebrates his 1,000th performance in London.

- Angela Arden has found her son. Charles Busch will be joined in Die Mommie Die! with current gay soap sensation Van Hansis (a.k.a. As the World Turns' Luke Snyder).

- In an unusual move, the producers of Young Frankenstein will reportedly not release the show's weekly grosses. Hmmm ...

- The 39 Steps is stepping closer to Broadway.

- In our Hairspray news of the week, the title of this Playbill article says it all: "Love Finds Beaver Cleaver".

- Do video games and show tunes mix? We'll find out when The Last Starfighter takes to the stage.

- Remember the opening number of the movie Hair, with all the hippies dancing about, all Twyla Tharp-y like, in the middle of Central Park? Well, now you'll be able to see that in person.

- While Claire Danes (who, having never seen My Fair Lady, must have had a really sad childhood) prepares for George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, John Lithgow mulls a return to Broadway with Arthur Miller's All My Sons.

- I don't know why but I don't care: the San Francisco Jersey Boys will perform on next Sunday's Emmy Award telecast. For a taste of the original Broadway Four Seasons, here's their electrifying performance at last year's Tony Awards.

Links via MoviesBlog.MTV.com, Playbill.com, Broadway.com, AfterEllen.com, AfterElton.com and YouTube.com.

Oh, Mamma Mia!

This week's From Screen to Stage kicks off with two of the biggest mothers to hit Broadway:

- Yes, that is the first look at Meryl Streep in the upcoming movie version of Mamma Mia! As for the other "mamma" pictured? It is none other then Michael Ball as Edna Turnblad in the long-awaited London production of Hairspray.

Speaking of Hairspray, the tuner just celebrated its fifth anniversary on the Great White Way, and current Corny Collins Lance Bass will host the annual "Broadway on Broadway" concert in Times Square.

- After Variety chipped in with its two-cents, the sharks (namely, the New York Post) started circling Disney's The Little Mermaid.

- Elsewhere on the road to New York, Young Frankenstein gets some love from the Seattle Gay News prior to closing its pre-Broadway run.

- In tour news, Chicago ends its long trek as The Wedding Singer begins theirs; and legendary movie muse Marni Nixon joins My Fair Lady.

- Broadway.com shines the spotlight on three recent hits: Legally Blonde, The Lion King and Monty Python's Spamalot.

- Can't make it to New York to see Cheyenne Jackson and Kerry Butler in Xanadu? BroadwayWorld.com has an exclusive video preview just for you.

- Start that clock: Dolly Parton herself says the 9 to 5 musical will hit Broadway in 2009.

- Harvey Fierstein talks all about his Catered Affair.

- Everyone's favorite 70's sitcom neighbor Valerie Harper stars in the movie adaptation of Golda's Balcony.

- All About My Mother premieres in London, while the American musical Chaplin finds new life elsewhere in England. Plus: is it rumor or real -- a Harry Potter musical to fly onto the West End?

- In the works: stage musical versions of The Three Musketeers, Mask (the Cher movie, not the Jim Carrey one), To Kill a Mockingbird and The Grapes of Wrath, which is actually an opera.

- And finally: The latest incarnation of Forbidden Broadway (the twenty-fifth!), subtitled Rude Awakening, is now up and running, complete with spoofs of Grey Gardens, Mary Poppins, Legally Blonde and (easy target) Grease: You're The One That We Want.

Links via USAToday.com, MichaelBall.co.uk, Playbill.com, Variety.com, NYPost.com, SGN.org, Broadway.com, BroadwayWorld.com, SundayMirror.co.uk and Imdb.com.

Monthly Wallpaper - September 2007: Great Movie Musicals

This month's movie collage/calendar wallpaper is devoted to the "Great Movie Musicals". All the biggies are here, from Singin' in the Rain to West Side Story to The Wizard of Oz to Grease to Beauty and the Beast. Personal favorites include Julie Andrews as Mary Poppins, Barbra Streisand as Hello, Dolly! and Madonna as Evita. Recent hits like Chicago, Moulin Rouge! and Hairspray are there, along with greats of yesterday like The Band Wagon, Cabaret and The King and I.

Just click on the picture above to enlarge it to its 1024 x 768 size, then right click your mouse and select "Set as Background", and you're done! If you want, you can also save it to your computer and set it up from there, or modify the size in your own photo-editing program if needed.

Enjoy!

From Under the Sea

Three major openings this week - but only one on the Great White Way:

- Disney's The Little Mermaid and Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein officially opened on the same day in different cities (Denver and Seattle). The local critics have spoken, all citing that both shows need work before they reach Broadway. Uh, isn't that what they're there for?

- After televised auditions, a rehearsal period and previews, the much-publicized revival of Grease has finally opened on Broadway ... and the reviews were pretty much what we expected. However, considering the advance sales due to the TV show, the producers should be crying all the way to the bank. Broadway.com has opening night photos and video, while Broadway World introduces you to the Thunderbirds.

- Good news for Billy Elliot fans (the movie is one of my all-time favorites): signs (literally) are pointing to a Broadway bow next year.

- Could Hairspray movie star Nikki Blonsky be eyeing the Broadway version for her next Tracy Turnblad tour de force? Meanwhile, Lance Bass is Corny -- Collins, that is; and meet the latest Edna, MADtv's Paul Vogt, who dishes on the real reason why the Las Vegas production of Hairspray closed.

- More casting buzz for Rob Marshall's Nine movie, including Oscar winners Sophia Loren and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Oscar nominees Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz and future Oscar nominee Marion Cotillard (La Vie en Rose).

- As Kevin Kline, Jennifer Garner and Daniel Sunjata prepare for a Cyrano de Bergerac revival, George Hamilton returns to Chicago. And could Patrick Wilson, Anne Hathaway, John C. Reilly and Debra Messing be the latest Guys and Dolls?

- See who will take on the iconic movie roles played by Madonna and Hayley Mills in the West End Desperately Seeking Susan and the US tour Whistle Down the Wind.

- Feel the rhythm of South Africa with Disney's The Lion King.

- Enter the Broadway World time machine for a look back at the Xanadu movie. Elsewhere, Broadway.com has a lively chat with that scene-stealing evil muse, Jackie Hoffman.

- Alfred Hitchcock's The 39 Steps and Jane Austen's Emma hit regional stages.

- Frost/Nixon closes on Broadway. What's next for Tony winner Frank Langella and Tony nominee Michael Sheen? Filming the movie version with director Ron Howard.

- The West End musical epic stage version of The Lord of the Rings extends through the end of September.

- The Ritz star Seth Rudetsky discusses briefs, towels and robes.

- Holy stage faves, Batman! Take a look at the Batman musical that never was.

- And finally: Avenue Q star Rod (just Rod, like Cher) sits down for a "Cue & A" with Playbill.com.

Links via Playbill.com, GoldDerby.LATimes.com, Broadway.com, BroadwayWorld.com, AccessHollywood.com and FilmJunk.com.

Awards Watch: The Musical!

In its fifth week of release, Hairspray continues to dazzle 'em, passing the $100 million mark this past weekend. It is well on its way to become one of the highest-grossing movie musicals of all-time.

The cast of Hairspray has other reasons to celebrate, as they are the recipients of the film's first award. The Hollywood Film Festival is honoring them with an ensemble prize. This should prove the first of many awards for the movie, especially considering that the film's DVD will be released by the end of the year (otherwise known as the height of the awards season), just in time to remind voters how great it is.

Hairspray should rake in the nominations at the Golden Globes, where there are separate categories for Comedy or Musicals. Expect nods for the film itself and star Nikki Blonsky, as well as possible supporting bids for John Travolta and Michelle Pfeiffer. One or both of the film's new songs ("Ladies' Choice" and "Come So Far (Got So Far to Go)") will certainly be nominated as well. From there the next step will be the Oscars, but we'll cross that bridge once we see how well it does at the Globes.

In related news: more Hairspray merchandise! Per the movie's own blog, there will be two calendars (one for the whole movie, one just for Link Larkin, a.k.a. Zac Efron) and several posters (again, with an emphasis on teen dream Efron) to chose from, on sale now ... and on your walls soon.

In fact, you can purchase the Hairspray calendars and postersright here from Amazon.com!

Links via BroadwayWorld.com, HollywoodAwards.com and HairsprayMovie.com.

The Latest in Theaters: Bourne To Be Wild

This week in theaters - Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway and a flying dog:

- Damon returns for a third time as the forgetful super spy Jason Bourne in The Bourne Ultimatum. Join Premiere.com as they give an overview of the series.

- Hathaway takes on Austen in Becoming Jane. (In select cities, opens nationwide next week.)

- "There’s no need to fear, Underdog is here!" Or at least an unconvincingly CGI'ed facsimile thereof.

- Speaking of dogs, Marc Anthony co-stars in wife Jennifer Lopez's vanity project, El Cantante.

- As if it needed to be spelled out, Bratz: The Movie is just one big toy commercial.

- Saturday Night Live's Andy Samberg hopes to follow in the doofy = rich footsteps of Adam Sandler and Will Ferrell with yet another comedy of arrested adolescence, Hot Rod.

- David Wain and Ken Marino's take an irreverent look at the commandments with The Ten. The cast includes a who's who of today's hip and happenin' actors, including Paul Rudd, Liev Schreiber, Famke Janssen, Gretchen Mol, Bobby Cannavale and an animated rhino. Head over to Cinematical for an interview with the creators.

- And lastly, Hairspray goes "Sing-A-Long". Go on, you know you want to see it again.

UPDATE: Broadway.com has pictures from the New York City Hairspray "Sing-A-Long" launch event hosted by stars Nikki Blonsky and Elijah Kelly.

Visit Fandango - Search movie showtimes and buy tickets!
Links via Imdb.com, Premiere.com, Cinematical.com and Broadway.com.

Shake and Shimmy It With All of Your Might

Well on its way to becoming the movie musical of its generation, Hairspray will go where no other movie in its original run has gone before: starting this Friday, special edition "sing-a-long" prints will begin screening in select cities.

Not only is this a perfect excuse to see the movie again, this is an excellent way for New Line to keep the movie in the public eye ... and ears. Stars Nikki Blonsky and Elijah Kelly will kick off the special showings with a launch event in New York City August 1.

In related news, the Hairspray soundtrack is currently #4 on the Billboard Top 200 and is the #1 album on iTunes. Over on the singles chart, "You Can't Stop the Beat" is #88 on Billboard's Top 100.

Also on sale is the official Hairspray "companion book", filled with never-before-seen pictures and removable goodies like "Corny Collins Council" trading cards and "Har-D-Har Hut" stickers. The book would make a perfect gift for anyone, like, say, your favorite blogger ...

And for a way-cool three-way comparison between the original movie, the stage musical and the movie musical, head on over to Broadway.com.

Click here to purchase either the Hairspray soundtrackor companion bookfrom Amazon.com.
Links via HairsprayMovie.com, Playbill.com and Broadway.com.

Movie Dearest Hits the Big Time

I woke up this morning to a pleasant surprise: Movie Dearest is featured on the front page of the Internet Movie Database, the premiere online movie site.

Specifically, my article "Why We Should Not Boycott Hairspray" is listed in today's "Hit List" of featured articles. Click here to visit Imdb.com and scroll to the bottom to see it.

Needless to say, this is all very exciting - Big Edie is verklempt with joy. As of now, my site counter has more then tripled in number and continues to rise.

Welcome to all the new readers and I hope you like what you see and come back for more!

Link via Imdb.com.

Hairspray's Boffo B.O.!

Although it did not hit the #1 spot, Hairspray nonetheless made $27.8 million its opening weekend. This figure makes it the highest-grossing debut for a movie musical ever, besting The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (who knew?).

Proving that you can never think too little of the general public, the film-that-shall-not-be-named came in first, with Harry Potter down to second place (guess all the muggles were busy reading; by the way, click here for some Hogwarts funnies).

Forget what I said about High School Musical; Hairspray is the new Grease (and they're both named after hair products, too). All the little girls and gay boys out there are eating this one up, and Tracy and Link will stay in their hearts just as Danny and Sandy did for us almost thirty years ago. And just wait until it hits DVD - in high def, no less, New Line's first foray into the format (wonder how well John Travolta's Edna will look, pores and all).

Here's some more 'spray odds and ends for you:

• Broadway Blog tells the movie studios how they can make money off of screen musicals.
• Premiere.com takes a pictorial look at drag in film, while MSNBC.com says the practice may be misogynistic.
• Take the Hairspray Quiz at PlanetOut or head over to LOGO Online for more fun stuff.
• And for more looks at the Hairspray dolls (and way too many of Zac Efron's bangs), hop over to Broadway World for their coverage of the toy line's debut at Toys 'R' Us in Times Square.

Click here to buy the Hairspray dollsfrom Amazon.com.
Links via EW.com, Broadway.com, YouTube.com, LaughingPlace.com, TheDigitalBits.com, BroadwayMouth.blogspot.com, Premiere.com, MSNBC.MSN.com, PlanetOut.com, LOGOOnline.com and BroadwayWorld.com.

It's Hairspray!

As if there was any doubt.

All my expectations and more were fulfilled. The new Hairspray is joyous, funny, moving and, most of all it rocks. Literally, as it never lets up from the first beat of "Good Morning Baltimore" to the final crescendo of "You Can't Stop the Beat".

What I was most impressed with about the movie was how they were able to build off of the innate charms of both of the previous incarnations, creating something entirely unique unto itself, while still staying true to the spirit and spunk that has always existed in the story, whether as movie or musical or, now, both.

The entire cast is top-notch, but special mention should be made of Nikki Blonsky. This girl is a dynamo. Singing, acting, dancing - she's got it all. And she's never done anything before. Not a movie, not Broadway, not even a crappy TV singing competition. Truly, a star is born.

I also have to give credit to John Travolta. He makes the character his own and, once you get over the site of him, you believe in his Edna Turnblad. Is he the best Edna? Honestly, I would have to say no, because I did see Harvey Fierstein do it in Vegas. However, Travolta's performance does work within the scope of this movie, and in the end, that is all that matters.

If for some reason you weren't planning to see this movie (you don't like the idea of a remake, the whole Washington Blade/Travolta thing), do yourself a favor: go. If not, you will just be cheating yourself out of a great time at the movies.

Links via Imdb.com and YouTube.com.

Out in Film: Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman

To conclude the weeklong countdown to the premiere of the musical version of John Waters' Hairspray (in theaters now!), today's "Out in Film" shines the spotlight on the film's songwriting team.

Collaborating in life as well as in work, partners Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman created all the toe-tappin' songs heard in the new Hairspray, and they have the Tony Awards to prove it.

Previously, the duo provided songs for such films as Down With Love and Addams Family Values, and they are currently working on a stage musical adaptation of Steven Spielberg's crime caper Catch Me If You Can.

Shaiman is also a prolific composer, receiving Oscar nominations for his scores to The American President, The First Wives Club and Patch Adams, as well as nods for co-writing songs from Sleepless in Seattle and South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. He is also known for crafting those parody songs for Billy Crystal's Oscar appearances.

For two recent interviews with Shaiman, check out Broadway.com and Playbill.com.

Links via Imdb.com, Playbill.com and Broadway.com.

Critics Bow and Exalt

Movie Dearest continues the weeklong countdown to the new movie musical Hairspray, opening nationwide tomorrow:

The reviews are in, and they are as fabulous as Michelle Pfeiffer in that outfit.

Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly rates it an "A-", calling it "a fizzy and delirious high-camp message-movie musical that may just turn out to be the happiest movie of the summer."

Glenn Kenny of Premiere.com awards 3 out of 4 stars (which means it is "so money"), saying "Hairspray proves that summer movie fun needn't be witless and/or soulless."

Dennis Harvey of Variety says it is "high on retro movie-musical craftsmanship."

Michael Rechtshaffen of The Hollywood Reporter keeps it simple: "A giddy breath of fresh aerosol."

David Ansen of Newsweek calls it "a plus-size pleasure."

Peter Travers in Rolling Stone sticks to the tried and true: "Hairspray has a beat. And you sure can dance to it."

Rex Reed of the The New York Observer says the movie is "splashy, flashy, trashy musical mayhem that made me laugh and hum, put snap in my fingers and rhythm in my feet, and left me thoroughly entertained."

Ebert & Roeper give it "Two BIG thumps up!", with Roger going for the obvious: "It's no drag."

Greg Hernandez at Out in Hollywood cuts to the heart of the matter: "But, let's face it, the film absolutely could not work if the role of the loveable, brave and spirited Tracy Turnblad isn't spot-on. In newcomer Nikki Blonsky, we have our Tracy. She is a wonder."

And the Broadway Blog tells us what we want to hear: "They got it right. They got it right! Thank God, they got it right!"

In related news, the just released soundtrack album debuted in the #2 spot on Billboard's soundtrack chart.

You can't stop the beat indeed.

UPDATE: Even the Washington Blade gave it a glowing review!

Links via EW.com, Premiere.com, Variety.com, HollywoodReporter.com, MSNBC.MSN.com, RollingStone.com, Observer.com, BVEntertainment.go.com, RogerEbert.SunTimes.com, InsideSoCal.com, BroadwayMouth.blogspot.com, Playbill.com and WashBlade.com.

Hands Off the Merchandise: An Introduction

While preparing my Hairspray articles, I came across this USA Today article announcing a new line of Hairspray Barbies ... oops, I mean dolls (oh crap, now Mattel is going to sue me).

Anyhoo, aren't they fab? From left to right, there's Amber, Link (dreamy), Tracy (love the highlights), Edna (!), Seaweed and Penny. I'm just bummed they didn't do a Motormouth Maybelle one. Just imagine: Queen Latifah with kung-fu grip!

This news also inspired me to create a new section here at Movie Dearest to showcase unique and unusual toys, dolls, lunch boxes and other paraphernalia under the title "Hands Off the Merchandise". Fitting, huh?

Click here to buy the Hairspray dollsfrom Amazon.com.

Link via USAToday.com.

Why We Should Not Boycott Hairspray

The Three Faces of Edna

Movie Dearest continues the weeklong countdown to the new movie musical Hairspray, opening nationwide this Friday.

When I first saw John Waters' original Hairspray in 1988, I fell in love with it. The film’s energy and sassiness drew me in, but it was the universal theme that "what you look like on the outside cannot keep you from making a difference in this world" is what struck a chord within me and stayed with me through its subsequent adaptations.

I am, of course, not alone in my affection for the material. Audiences, regardless of age, gender, race or sexuality, embraced the original movie and stage versions, making them a cult classic and mainstream sensation, respectively. So the unexpected call for the gay community to boycott the new Hairspray by Washington Blade editor Kevin Naff due to John Travolta's involvement in Scientology caught me off guard (as it also did Travolta, Waters and Adam Shankman, the remake's director).

Mr. Naff's ascertains that Travolta should not have been cast in the role of Edna Turnblad because of its gay icon status (Edna was previously portrayed onscreen by Divine and onstage by Harvey Fierstein, who are the real gay icons in this scenario). This goes beyond the questions many of us had regarding the casting in the first place: mainly, could Travolta even pull it off? Instead, Naff's rather glib article (which is not even all that original; who hasn't complained about remakes?) focuses on Travolta's personal life as a Scientologist and that controversial religion's reported stance on homosexuality.

Before I go on, I will say that I am not going to get into the whole debate on what Scientology is or is not. Religion? Cult? So not going there. Which leads me to my point: should our entertainment choices be dictated by what we know (or, let's be realistic, think we know) about the people who create the movies, TV shows, books, music, et al we watch, read, listen to and, ideally, enjoy?

Does this mean that we should not watch, say, John Wayne's or Barbra Streisand's movies because of their strong political beliefs? How about if I don't like a filmmaker's religious heritage, race or sexual orientation? As you can see, if you start pruning it all down, weeding out this one or that one because of this incident or that scandal, all you end up with is a blank screen.

Naturally, we all have been influenced in our opinions concerning this actor or that director by what we have heard about them, and that (along with a healthy dose of our own morality) certainly informs what choices we make in what we watch, buy, et cetera. And that is how it should be. We all have our own personal standards and, more importantly, we all have our own sense of what we do or do not want to see.

With almost twenty-years invested in the property, I want to see the new Hairspray, and I am not going to throw the baby out with the bathwater, as they say, because of one person's involvement in the project. Nor should I be shamed for doing so, and neither should you.

Links via WashBlade.com, Hollywood.com and NYDailyNews.com.

All Together Now: Hungry Jazz Face!

Movie Dearest continues the weeklong countdown to the new movie musical of John Waters' cult classic Hairspray, opening nationwide this Friday.

Blogs are everywhere these days (it seems just about anyone can have one), so it was only a matter of time for movie studios to latch onto them as publicity tools.

New Line Cinema has given Hairspray its very own blog, filled with all the latest (virtual) ink and videos their marketing department can track down.

My favorite video on the site is the "You Can't Stop the Beat" opening number from last week's So You Think You Can Dance? show. Such technique, such energy, such big hair.

And if you like that one, head over to YouTube for the behind-the-scenes footage of the film's director/choreographer Adam Shankman putting the contestants through their paces and generally showing them all up. Man, check out those kip-ups!

And of course, you can also visit the film's official site with its nifty printable autographed photographs of the younger cast members, suitable for locker interiors and bedroom walls everywhere. Go on, you know you want one.

UPDATE: The Adam Shankman behind-the-scenes video has been removed from YouTube. Damn you, Dick Clark!

Links via EW.com, HairsprayMovie.com and YouTube.com.