“Cry-Baby” is one of those rare things, a musical where just about every song is a winner and it’s damn good fun into the bargain. I haven’t seen it in a while but I remember many of the tunes, and much of the stylish imagery, as if I’d watched it yesterday! The bikes, Iggy Pop, “Square” posh girl Allison Vernon-Williams (Amy Locane) waiting outside the prison for her “Drapes” bad boy, the hilarious helicopter-attempted breakout, juvenile delinquent Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker (Johnny Depp) getting his hair shorn while inside, ex-porn star Traci Lords and the Swedish au pair invited to stay at her home, chat show host Ricki Lake’s power-exclamation “Our bosoms are our weapons, girls”, the at-first hesitant rendition of “Mr Sandman”, not to mention the skirts getting ripped off during the manic motorcycle finale!!
The film was shot mostly in director John Waters’ hometown of Baltimore, Maryland, USA, as indeed are many of his movies. The gorgeous Rachel Sweet did the singing for the equally gorgeous Amy Locane. I’ve got a couple of Rachel’s albums and saw her live on campus, as part of the second Stiff Records tour, as an undergraduate in the Portland Building at Nottingham University. It’s permanently etched on my mind because, as soon as she appeared on stage, a male member of the audience shouted, “I’m stiff”, at which she, and everybody else, rocked with laughter! No doubt she was probably thinking, “bloody students”!! Anyway, “Cry-Baby” is a little gem of a movie and well worth looking out.
6 comments:
I watched this film on TV ages ago and thought it was great - in spite of the fact that the Radio Times said it was a turkey.
I was delighted to see that, about a year later, they had revised their opinion and it was a *masterpiece*.
Nice when your opinions are confirmed
Tim and Kaz, I agree with both of you, it's a gem of a movie!
Mmm, Tim...I wonder if our talk of Ricky Lake and her wondrous line "Are bazooms are our weapons" precipitated you writing about "Cry Baby", then?!
My goodness a straight man who likes "Cry Baby"!! Wonders will never cease!! Just joshing. It is a rather campy movie though. It's true, it's got lots of great bits in it and as a pastiche of 1950s rebellious teenager movies, it works perfectly. Johnny Depp is brilliant as Cry Baby and completely gorgeous with it! As an actor Johnny has always gone for decidedly unusual, off-the-wall character roles and "alternative" movies, making him a far more interesting proposition than your average Hollywood fella.
John Waters, who directed "Cry Baby" had a bit of an allegiance with subcultures and the sleazier side of life. He seemed to identify with the rebels and outsiders in society, and those who dared to break the rules. Hardly surprising that he was gay! His earlier movies, like "Pink Flamingoes" and "Female Trouble" are low-budget but rather shocking affairs and also featured the late, great transvestite Divine in many leading roles. Divine's most infamous but ultimately revolting moment was when, in a bid to prove that he/she was the "filthiest person alive", actually ate dog shit. Fortunately Johnny Depp wasn't required to do anything of the kind.
John Waters' output these days is pretty miniscule. His last film was "A Dirty Shame" with Tracey Ulmann but I must confess to not even seeing that one - it got some bad reviews.
I too liked the songs in "Cry Baby" - "Please Mr Jailer" and so forth.
I’ve noticed that too, Kaz, regarding the Radio Times! Films given five stars, on first transmission, sometimes receive less subsequently. I wonder whether they really revise their opinions or are just trying to get a bigger audience for premieres? Nice to see it worked the other way round for “Cry-Baby”, though how a film can suddenly change from being a turkey into a masterpiece, and in the space of only a year, is beyond me! Different reviewer perhaps, with different tastes?
Simon, one of the things I like about blogging is not knowing what fellow bloggers will write about next. Obviously, you and I are likely to write a lot about “Doctor Who”! In fact, when I was moved to new Blogger, I decided to back-label all my posts and discovered exactly half were about “Doctor Who”, although Blogger only loads the most recent twenty! Sometimes, it’s also nice to surprise oneself over subject matter. I find it’s also good to strike while the iron’s hot. If I leave writing something a few days often the inclination goes with it. Time is also a factor. So many post ideas never see the light of day.
In the instance of “Cry-Baby”, I had no idea I was going to write about it until leaving a second comment on your “New Beginnings” post! You said you liked it, which prompted me into remembering all the good things about the movie, and viola! Rachel Sweet was the other motivating factor as I love her debut album, especially the song “Cuckoo Clock”, which I have on white vinyl! Not so keen on the follow up which is a bit too country for me!
I agree with you about Depp. I’m also keen on his films with Tim Burton, especially “Ed Wood” (although both Martin and daughter Juliet Landau’s presence help win me over with this one!) and “Sleepy Hollow” (Christina Ricci in this case). John Waters’ interest, in what is generally regarded as bizarre, even extends to owning an electric chair, I believe. I remember seeing Divine on “The Tube” and have seen some of his movies, “Hairspray”, with Debbie Harry, possibly being the most mainstream. Sounds like there wouldn’t have been much point in taking him to a posh restaurant though!
I love John Waters early work, Pink Flamingos, Female Trouble, Polyester, you simply can't beat the Baltimore Foot Stomper in that film ! I also loved Pecker. Cry Baby is a film I ain't seen in an age, I should give it another blast !
Stiff Records is re-releasing Rachel Sweet's "Fool Around" album (which includes Cuckoo Clock, Who Does LIsa Like, and B-A-B-Y). Coming out 12th March in the UK (3rd April in the U.S.). Should be on Amazon.
Viola?!! Music on my mind, perhaps, and a Freudian slip if ever I heard one! I did, of course, mean voilà!!
Andrew, I’m thinking of looking out “Cry-Baby” again, too.
And, Anonymous, thanks for the tip. According to Amazon, Rachel Sweet’s debut “Fool Around”, with extra tracks, was reissued in the UK on 12th Feb.
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