Hair has been imbued with symbolism since Biblical times (remember Samson?) so it's no wonder our favorite feature plays a starring role in classics from Rosemary's Baby to Les Misérables. Read on for our top 8 moments in the movie mane canon.
When Rosemary (Mia Farrow) debuts her short haircut to her husband, who asks, "What the hell is that?" she explains, "I've been to Vidal Sassoon." To capitalize on the buzz around the actress' soon-to-be iconic cut, Paramount staged a photo shoot in which Sassoon himself trimmed Farrow's hair in front of a group of photographers. [Watch a clip]
Before "metrosexuals" and Jersey Shore, there was Tony (John Travolta), whose elaborate primping routine is set to the tune of the Bee Gees' "Night Fever." Afterward, his father gets angry with him and smacks his head at the dinner table. "Watch the hair!" Tony exclaims. "I work on my hair for a long time, and then you hit it. He hits my hair!" [Watch the clip]
Less skilled with a blow dryer is Allan Felix, Woody Allen's character in this film about a divorcé reentering the dating world. Allan tangles with the tool while getting ready for a blind date. What a catch, no? [Watch the clip]
We've never been able to look at hair gel the same way since watching Mary (Cameron Diaz) mistake Ted's (Ben Stiller) bodily fluids for a styling product in this classic scene. [Watch the clip]
After popular girl Caroline gets wasted at a party and gets her hair caught in a door, she asks her equally drunk friends to free her — by cutting off a hunk of her blonde tresses. Caroline's response? "I don't know how to thank you enough!" You could do better, Jake Ryan! [Watch the clip]
In possibly the most romantic hair washing scene ever, Denys (Robert Redford) shampoos Karen's (Meryl Streep) hair, while he quotes from "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. [Watch the clip]
A generation of '90s kids grew up thinking combing their hair with a fork was normal, thanks to this scene from the Disney movie in which ex-mermaid Ariel is confused by life on dry land. [Watch the clip]
Fantine the prostitute cuts and sells her hair to survive in this story of 19th century France. The dramatic shearing — a real onscreen haircut! — was enough to net Hathaway an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Afterward, she revealed in an interview, "I looked in the mirror and I said ‘I look like my gay brother. I’m just Man Hathaway’.” [Watch the clip]
