Cry-Baby

## Plot

In 1954 Baltimore, Wade "Cry-Baby" Walker is the leader of a gang of "drapes", which includes his sister Pepper, a teenage mother, facially disfigured Mona "Hatchet Face" Malnorowski, rebel Wanda Woodward, who is constantly embarrassed by her post World War II "normal" parents, and Milton Hackett, Hatchet Face's devoted boyfriend. Walker's ability to shed a single tear drives all the girls wild.

The film begins with "Polio Vaccination Day" where all the high school students are getting vaccinated for polio, and 4 big guys are forcing drape leader Cry-Baby into the room to get vaccinated. He gives in, and while getting vaccinated, he comes face to face with Allison Vernon-Williams, and sheds a single tear. After school, Allison approaches the drapes to talk to Cry-Baby, but her grandmother shows up to take her home, and her jealous "square" boyfriend, Baldwin reminds her that they're "squares." Cry-Baby and his gang follow them in their car and sing songs to them from their car radio.

Later, Cry-Baby approaches the "square" part of town to a talent show at the recreation center where Allison's grandmother hosts events, and introduces himself to her, who is skeptical of his motives. Cry-Baby invites Allison to a party at Turkey Point, a local hangout spot for the drapes.

Despite her grandmother's skepticism, Allison accompanies Cry-Baby to Turkey Point and sings with the drapes. Cry-Baby and Allison tell each other they're orphans and talk about how their parents died. Cry-Baby's father was executed in the electric chair after being the "Alphabet Bomber. Cry-Baby describes him as "a killer who bombed places in alphabetical order. His mother tried to stop him, but got executed along with him. Allison's parents were going on a business trip, and it was their first flight. They took separate planes in case one of them crashed, but both their planes crashed and she never saw them alive again.

Baldwin starts a riot, and Cry-Baby is blamed for the fight and sent to a penitentiary, outraging all his friends and even Allison's grandmother, who is impressed by Cry-Baby's selfless love for Allison.

Later, Lenora Frigid, a loose girl with a crush on Cry-Baby, but constantly rejected by him, claims to be pregnant with his child. Allison feels betrayed and returns to Baldwin and the squares, though her grandmother advises her against rushing into a decision. Meanwhile, in the penitentiary, Cry-Baby gets a teardrop tattoo. He tells the tattoo artist, fellow drape Dupree (Robert Tyree): "I've been hurt all my life, but real tears wash away. This one's for Allison, and I want it to last forever!"

After performing with Baldwin and the Whiffles, Allison is persuaded by the newly established alliance between the Drapes and her grandmother to stand by Cry-Baby and join the campaign for his release. After Cry-Baby is released, Baldwin immediately insults him, and he reveals that it was his grandfather electrocuted his father. Baldwin then challenges Cry-Baby to a chicken race. Cry-Baby wins, and Baldwin is furious after crashing into a chicken coop, and gives up.

The film ends with all watching the chicken race crying a single tear, except for Allison and Cry-Baby, who has finally let go of the past, enabling him to cry from both eyes.

## Why Its Great

* All of the performances are spectacular particularly Johnny Depp.
* The film has a wonderful off kilter sense of humor.