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Cry-Baby

  • 1990
  • PG-13
  • 1h 25m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
68K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,489
422
Johnny Depp and Amy Locane in Cry-Baby (1990)
ParodyRock MusicalComedyMusical

In 1950s Baltimore, a bad boy with a heart of gold wins the love of a good girl, whose boyfriend sets out for revenge.In 1950s Baltimore, a bad boy with a heart of gold wins the love of a good girl, whose boyfriend sets out for revenge.In 1950s Baltimore, a bad boy with a heart of gold wins the love of a good girl, whose boyfriend sets out for revenge.

  • Director
    • John Waters
  • Writer
    • John Waters
  • Stars
    • Johnny Depp
    • Ricki Lake
    • Amy Locane
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.5/10
    68K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,489
    422
    • Director
      • John Waters
    • Writer
      • John Waters
    • Stars
      • Johnny Depp
      • Ricki Lake
      • Amy Locane
    • 199User reviews
    • 57Critic reviews
    • 63Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos171

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    Top cast71

    Edit
    Johnny Depp
    Johnny Depp
    • Cry-Baby
    Ricki Lake
    Ricki Lake
    • Pepper Walker
    Amy Locane
    Amy Locane
    • Allison Vernon-Williams
    Susan Tyrrell
    Susan Tyrrell
    • Ramona Rickettes
    Polly Bergen
    Polly Bergen
    • Mrs. Vernon-Williams
    Iggy Pop
    Iggy Pop
    • Belvedere Rickettes
    Traci Lords
    Traci Lords
    • Wanda Woodward
    Kim McGuire
    Kim McGuire
    • Mona 'Hatchet-Face' Malnorowski
    Darren E. Burrows
    Darren E. Burrows
    • Milton Hackett
    Stephen Mailer
    Stephen Mailer
    • Baldwin
    Kim Webb
    Kim Webb
    • Lenora Frigid
    Alan J. Wendl
    • Toe-Joe
    Troy Donahue
    Troy Donahue
    • Hatchet's Father
    Mink Stole
    Mink Stole
    • Hatchet's Mother
    Joe Dallesandro
    Joe Dallesandro
    • Milton's Father
    Joey Heatherton
    Joey Heatherton
    • Milton's Mother
    David Nelson
    David Nelson
    • Wanda's Father
    Patricia Hearst
    Patricia Hearst
    • Wanda's Mother
    • Director
      • John Waters
    • Writer
      • John Waters
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews199

    6.567.7K
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    Featured reviews

    black_star_dust_84

    Something Wonderful

    There's really nothing wrong with this film. It's funny, it's fun, and it's got a cameo of Willem Dafoe. With Johnny Depp as the star, what else could you want? Apart from being a satire, it's an entertaining and hysterical, relatable satire. It takes a lot of skill to take a concept that could so easily teeter from funny to ridiculous, and while certain parts of the film seem to be heading towards that thin barrier, they always save face at the last minute. The movie doesn't just ride on Johnny Depp's talent, either. Every member of the cast displays a genuine understanding of the somewhat SNL-esque humour required to make everything work. I've yet to meet someone face to face that has not seen this movie and truly enjoyed it for what it is: something wonderful.
    Estella

    Brill!

    I first saw this movie on TV and then just HAD to get it on video. It's a brilliant send-up of the Grease story and Johnny Depp is perfectly cast in the James Dean-type role as a juvinile dilinquent who falls for a square. It's very funny and all the songs are great! Turn up the volume especially on 'Cry Baby'!
    7Coventry

    "Grease" goes kinky!

    John Waters' movies are perhaps acquired taste (read: first class TRASH!), but "Cry-Baby" is a fairly accessible and comical romp, complete with great music, very likable performances and a moody 50's atmosphere. Obviously mocking "Grease", the story is set in a Baltimore high school where teen idol Johnny Depp leads the "Drapes" thug gang versus the chic and fancy "Squares". The hormones work at maximum power and Depp's character inevitably falls for the most popular square-girl in school. Arguments like these can only be settled with rough fights and…dance contests! Johnny Depp and Amy Locane are both great in their lead roles, but it's the supportive cast that impresses the most. More particularly ex-porn star Traci Lords, Kim McGuire as Hatchet-Face (you can't but stare at her grimaces), Iggy Pop and Ricky Lake (as Depp's wild sister in a constant state of pregnancy). The gags are more tasteful than usual but all John Waters' trademarks are still present. "Cry-Baby" is a strangely sexy film that'll definitely bring a smile on your face. Recommended!
    10Cassi_Hayward

    Troubled Love

    The movie "Cry Baby" is about a young boy and girl from opposite sides of the track falling in love. Wade "Cry baby" Walker (Johnny Depp) is considered a drape and a juvenile delinquent, and Alison (Amy Locane) is considered a square and a perfect angel. In their time Drapes and Squares were not seen together. Cry Baby fights with all his heart going up against an ex-boyfriend, a concerned grandmother, and even jail to keep his love with Alison.

    Baldwin (Stephen Mailer), Alison's ex-boyfriend, does everything in his power to keep Alison to himself and away from Cry Baby. He picks fights and gets his gang together to vandalize the drapes property.

    Alison's grandma (Polly Bergen) is like the leader of the squares and in the beginning worries that Cry Baby will be the downfall of her grandchild. Since she is left with Alison's care, she is over protective; but she wants Alison happy more than anything. In the end she comes around and tells Alison to choose the man her heart loves.

    I believe director John Waters made a new twist to Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and this provides a happy ending. Through his movie, Waters tells us that love happens when it happens and that no matter what background we come from, we should fight for love with all our hearts.

    I love this movie. The first time I saw this movie as a four year old girl, I said I was going to marry Cry Baby. I recommend this movie to everyone. It has action for men and romance for women. I think that it transports us back in time and helps us see the conferences of the two social classes and feeds our belief that love really can conquer it all. I have probably watched this movie a thousand times and will probably watch it a thousand more. It definitely is worth the eighty-five minutes it takes to watch.
    10wifeofsam

    A brilliant performance

    I admit, on first hearing about this film even I (the major Johnny Depp fan) was a bit skeptical to view it. But, I figured, hey, it's JD, why not? And, I now must say, that is goes down as one of my favorite movies. Why? because it's an amazing spoof my John Waters. As a lover of old musicals from the 50s and 60s, it's just amusing to watch a spoof of them, especially one done so well as this. My fav scene (don't worry..no spoilers..) is one where Crybaby (JD) performs a song in a comedic Elvis Presley fashion, which shows how dynamic JD is as an actor. what else makes this movie great? The music. There's not one boring song where you feel like it'll never end, because you don't want it to end. (yes, i own the soundtrack..i'm pathetic, i know). It's just a great movie..well, if you like a musical that spoofs other musicals.

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    Related interests

    Bill Pullman, John Candy, Joan Rivers, Daphne Zuniga, and Lorene Yarnell Jansson in Spaceballs (1987)
    Parody
    Tim Curry, Nell Campbell, and Patricia Quinn in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
    Rock Musical
    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music (1965)
    Musical

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      To find a young actor for the role of Wade "Cry-Baby" Walker, director John Waters bought thirty dollars worth of teen magazines, all of which showed Johnny Depp of 21 Jump Street (1987) on the cover. Depp thought the script was funny and strange, and took the offbeat role to avoid being typecast as a television teen idol.
    • Goofs
      The tattooed teardrop on Cry-Baby's face at the end of the movie appears and disappears.
    • Quotes

      Cry-Baby: That's right, Allison. My father was the "Alphabet Bomber." He may have been crazy, but he was my pop. Only one I ever had.

      Allison: God. I heard about the Alphabet Bomber. Bombs exploding in the... in the airport and barber shop...

      Cry-Baby: That's right. All in alphabetical order. Car wash... drug store... I used to lay in my crib and hear him scream in his sleep..."A,B,C,D,E,F,G... BOOM! BOOM!"

      Allison: But your mom...

      Cry-Baby: My mother tried to stop him. She couldn't even spell, for Christ's sake, but they fried her too.

    • Crazy credits
      The film begins with an old-fashioned 50's style Universal logo. It's also accompanied by 50's doo-wop music. A stage curtain opens up the movie.
    • Alternate versions
      The USA cable network version has a few extra scenes, including two extra songs, "Chicken" and "The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane":
      • Hatchetface's parents selling cigarettes by the school
      • Toe-Joe's does a "work-with-me" spiel instead of thanking his "Nudie Cutie"
      • an added act of a flexible little girl in the RSVP charm school talent show
      • extra footage of Hatchtface chasing Snaredrum and Susie Q around Ramona's front lawn
      • Lenora's "gunboats" are now "goldmines"
      • The third verse of Allison's song, "Teenage Prayer," is included
      • Extra footage of Cry-Baby driving his motorcycle to the charm school, a cop chasing him and an air raid drill that interupts Allison's act
      • Cry-Baby combs his hair instead of adjusting his crotch when he gets off of his motorcycle;
      • "Lay That Pistol Down" dance number is included
      • Cry-Baby arrives during "So Young" instead of before the song beginning, as in video version
      • In the movie, Hatchetface says, "Ain't ya got tits? Stick 'em out for God's sake!" In the USA Network version, she says, "Ain't ya got a figure? Show it!"
      • There is a longer scene with Wanda, her parents, and Inga, the Swedish exchange student
      • The showdown is at Turkey Point instead of at the press conference in front of the prison
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: I Love You to Death/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Cry-Baby/The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover/Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1990)
    • Soundtracks
      King Cry Baby
      Written by Doc Pomus and Dave Alvin

      Performed by James Intveld

      Additional vocals by Rachel Sweet

      Produced by Dave Alvin

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    FAQ19

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 6, 1990 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Llora nena
    • Filming locations
      • Maryland House of Correction - House of Correction Road, Jessup, Maryland, USA(prison)
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Imagine Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $11,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $8,266,343
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,004,905
      • Apr 8, 1990
    • Gross worldwide
      • $8,267,340
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 25m(85 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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