Big hair, bigger personalities, and a whole lot of Baltimore attitude! Hairspray has become one of the most recognizable movies associated with Charm City. But long before the story became a Broadway musical and a major motion picture, it began with one of Baltimore’s most iconic filmmakers: John Waters.

Born in Baltimore and raised in the area, Waters developed a fascination with movies early on and eventually became known for his wildly unconventional films, distinctive sense of humor, and unmistakably Baltimore style. Many of his earliest movies were filmed right in the city, turning familiar Baltimore streets, neighborhoods, and landmarks into the backdrop for his stories.

Among his best-known films is Hairspray, released in 1988. Set in Baltimore in 1962, the movie follows Tracy Turnblad, a plus-sized teenager whose dream is to dance on the popular television program The Corny Collins Show. What begins as a story about teenage ambition quickly becomes a celebration of individuality, while tackling the very real issue of racial segregation in Baltimore during the 1960s.

The Baltimore connection wasn’t just a part of the script. Much of the original film was shot on location in the area. The home the Turnblad family lived in was near Patterson Park, while the movie’s school scenes were produced in Baltimore County’s Perry Hall High School.  The Corny Collins Show was also filmed at the former Flite 3 Studio on East Cold Spring Lane.

Those locations helped weave Baltimore throughout the film, alongside local references and the larger-than-life personalities that give the story its unmistakable character. Waters drew inspiration from the city and the era, creating a colorful version of Baltimore while taking on issues of race, acceptance, and individuality.

The original Hairspray developed a devoted following and became a cult classic. Its popularity grew further after the story was adapted into the hit Broadway musical Hairspray in 2002, followed by a major 2007 film adaptation starring John Travolta, Nikki Blonsky, and Zac Efron.

The original film’s premiere brought Hairspray back home. In February 1988, the film premiered in Baltimore at the Senator Theatre, followed by a “Hairhopper Ball” at the Baltimore Museum of Art. The event attracted about 900 attendees and raised roughly $15,000 for AIDS Action Baltimore.

Decades later, John Waters is an internationally recognized filmmaker and a celebrated figure in American pop culture. Through it all many of his most iconic stories remain firmly rooted in Baltimore, proving that sometimes, you don’t have to leave home to make movie history.

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