American Hot Wax (1978)

This is the story loosely based on Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed, who introduced rock'n'roll to teenage American radio audiences in the 1950's. Freed was a source of great controversy: ... See full summary »

Director:

Floyd Mutrux

Writers:

John Kaye (screenplay), John Kaye (story),

Stars:

Tim McIntire, Fran Drescher, Jay Leno

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tim McIntire	...	Alan Freed
Fran Drescher	...	Sheryl
Jay Leno	...	Mookie
Laraine Newman	...	Teenage Louise
Carl Weaver	...	Member of The Chesterfields (as Carl Earl Weaver)
Al Chalk	...	Member of The Chesterfields
Sam Harkness	...	Member of The Chesterfields
Arnold McCuller	...	Member of The Chesterfields
Jeff Altman	...	Lennie Richfield
Moosie Drier	...	Artie Moress
John Lehne	...	D.A. Coleman
Stewart Steinberg	...	Stone
Jack Edward Ellis	...	Phillips
Richard Forbes	...	Donahue
Stephen Pearlman	...	Peter Overmyer

Storyline

This is the story loosely based on Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed, who introduced rock'n'roll to teenage American radio audiences in the 1950's. Freed was a source of great controversy: criticized by conservatives for corrupting youth with the "devil's music"; hated by racists for promoting African American music for white consumption; persecuted by law enforcement officials and finally brought down by the "payola" scandals.

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Plot Keywords:

disc jockey | 1950s | payola | radio | music industry | 

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Taglines:

1959. New York City. The battleground was Rock and Roll. It was the beginning of an era. You shoulda been there.

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Genres:

Drama | History | Music

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

17 March 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

American Hot Wax - kuumaa vahaa

Filming Locations:

The Wiltern - 3790 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min 95 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Did You Know?

Trivia

During a TV interview at the time just after this film was released, Chuck Berry said he handled his own wardrobe, and it was all authentic. He still had an entire closet full of the suits he wore while touring during the time frame portrayed in the film, so what he wears in the film is what he actually wore on stage during the 1950s.

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Goofs

TV newscasts were not regularly televised in color in 1959.

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Quotes

Chuck Berry: You know, rock and roll has been pretty good to me. I think I'll dedicate this one to it.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: City Limits (1992)

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Soundtracks

"Come Go With Me"
(uncredited)
Performed by 'Kenny Vance and The Planotones'

User Reviews

Unrecognized Rock & Roll Movie Classic

At the time this movie came out (1978) America was having its 20 year later nostalgia craze for the 1950s and it's music. "Happy Days" and "LaVerne And Shirley" were on TV and songs from the 50s were being remade and heard again. What great timing for this movie! The greatest thing about this movie, of course, are the musical performances. Instead of hiring all soundalikes from central casting, they actually brought back musicians and singers from the 1950s to sing their hits. Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Frankie Ford and others are on hand to show you what made them great. Of course, this was 20 years after Alan Freed's shows played and the performers do look a little worse for the wear, but their music more than makes up for it. Tin McIntire was fantastic as Alan Freed, a young Jay Leno as Mookie was adequate as was an also young Fran Drescher as Sheryl. Laraine Newman shines as a sort of Carole King character, writing songs for others. Why isnt this movie more popular than it is? Maybe because it's not on video? If you see this on TV some night, be sure to watch it and see the magical early days of Rock and Roll.