Ricki Lake may be better known for her weird and wonderful US chat show (that ran until 2004), but it was director John Waters who launched her into stardom with this kitsch classic. Waters tones down his usual excesses, but his mischievous black sense of humour is still very much to the fore in this affectionate salute to Z-grade teen movies. Lake is the fun-loving Tracy Turnblad, who becomes the new teen dancing queen much to the horror of her wealthy, snobbish parents, who want their daughter to shine. The soundtrack is a constant delight, as is the eclectic cast, which ranges from Waters' regulars Divine (his last movie) and Mink Stole, through to Debbie Harry, Sonny Bono, Pia Zadora and former Cars singer Ric Ocasek.

'Pleasantly plump' teenager Tracy Turnblad achieves her dream of becoming a regular on the Corny Collins Dance Show. Now a teen hero, she starts using her fame to speak out for the causes she believes in, most of all integration. In doing so, she earns the wrath of the show's former star, Amber Von Tussle, as well as Amber's manipulative, pro-segregation parents. The rivalry comes to a head as Amber and Tracy vie for the title of Miss Auto Show 1963.