INTERVIEW with "Hairspray" Cast: John Travolta

[James Sims]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:10pm

Just posted the first in a series of interviews with the film cast of "Hairspray." First up is John Travolta.

Enjoy:

https://losangeles.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=19555

James

[beautyofmydream]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:11pm

Thanks!

[mateo]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:29pm

Thanks James!

Correction: Michelle Pfeiffer's upcoming film in which she wore prosthetics is "Stardust."

[James Sims]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:35pm

you are correct

[B3TA07]

Posted: 6/26/07 at 9:39pm

Could his head be any bigger and his manner of speech any more pretentious

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 12:44am

"I am the first guy who has played an actual woman on screen, but I am not the first guy who has acted as one."

Divine was a man who played an actual woman on screen.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 12:48am

Oh, and it's BARBRA Streisand -- not BARBARA Streisand.

Updated On: 6/27/07 at 12:48 AM

[Mythus]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 12:51am

Please tell me that's a joke, Brody...

[DrTheatre]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 1:29am

Devine was a man, but I think what he meant by that was that when he was done with the role, he was back to being a man, Devine did not, she was Devine period.

Also yes, his head is way to big, when he mentioned that the director and the NEW writer of DALLAS can get it right...if you don't like the script, then don't sign up for the project...

[mallardo]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 10:00am

I'm not a Travolta fan - I'll never get around his scientology thing - but I thought he came across as intelligent and honest. The Dallas stuff was not big-headed, he was being far more forthcoming than most actors at his level. Deals are done like that and in this case the scripts have been notoriously problematic.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 10:15am

I tested it on other people, and said now look, take a look at it. This broad we are looking at, see if she is good for the movie, and I let them watch for five minutes. I said, so what do you think of her? They said she's fun, bubbly and kind of cute. I said, yeah, that's me.

Right, I don't believe that for a second. Even my MOTHER knew John Travolta was making this film. I can not believe that someone that close to him would have NO idea that was John in drag.

I love his demands about the shoes, too. "NOW, get that in different colors!" What a diva.

[Craig]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 10:30am

Sueleen. Is it not possible they did make up tests well before any publicity about him taking the role took place?

And you know.. there are still millions of people who don't even know Hairspray was a film, nor a musical, nor a movie musical..

It's not unreasonable....

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 10:46am

Well if it got to the point where they were doing the screen test with the prosthetics that were used I would assume that anyone Travolta was close enough to to show that little footage to would already know he was at least being considered for the role. It just sounds like one of those made up publicity anecdotes to me.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 12:45pm

I also think it is kind of tacky of him to imply (or am I reading too much into it?) that he is not too happy about doing the Dallas film and his only way "out" is if the dates can not work (fingers crossed, rabbit foot in hand, pray to Hubbard).

[James Sims]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 1:29pm

When I was talking to him about Dallas, I can assure you that he was smiling about it. He seemed hopeful that it would get off the ground.

[mateo]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 1:37pm

I am looking forward to reading the rest of your interviews James.

Thank you and bww for bringing them to us.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 1:44pm

Oh James, if he was smiling it was because YOU were interviewing him and he couldn't help smiling at your cuteness.
But if that is not the case it was probably a grimace.
His phrasing doesn't sound like he wants to do the film, that is what I am saying...and who, really, could blame him? It is a bad idea and everyone involved knows it. (Dukes of Hazard? Bewitched? Beverly Hillbillies?...)

[Kringas]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 1:54pm

Charles Busch has played women on screen, too.

And when someone cries, they are bawling, not balling.

Updated On: 6/27/07 at 01:54 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 2:29pm

Kringas, that made me laugh out loud

[DG]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 2:37pm

Just an aside - some people DO cry when balling, for a variety of reasons

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 2:42pm

And to get technical, John Lithgow played a woman in Garp.

[Kringas]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 2:44pm

Tyler Perry played a woman in Diary of a Mad Black Woman.

[DefyingEDCT]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 2:45pm

dishing

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 2:46pm

Robin Williams played Mrs. Doubtfire on screen as well...

[Kringas]

Posted: 6/27/07 at 2:48pm

She wasn't a real woman, though.