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: ...
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Title: American Hot Wax (1978)
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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Tim McIntire | ... | |
| Fran Drescher | ... | ||
| Jay Leno | ... | ||
| Laraine Newman | ... | ||
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Carl Weaver | ... |
Member of The Chesterfields
(as Carl Earl Weaver)
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| Al Chalk | ... |
Member of The Chesterfields
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Sam Harkness | ... |
Member of The Chesterfields
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Arnold McCuller | ... |
Member of The Chesterfields
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| Jeff Altman | ... | ||
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Moosie Drier | ... | |
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John Lehne | ... | |
| Stewart Steinberg | ... | ||
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Jack Edward Ellis | ... | |
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Richard Forbes | ... | |
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Stephen Pearlman | ... | |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
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. Written by Martin Lewison <lewison+@pitt.edu>
Taglines:
1959. New York City. The battleground was Rock and Roll. It was the beginning of an era. You shoulda been there.Parents Guide:
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
17 March 1978 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
American Hot Wax - kuumaa vahaa See more »Filming Locations:
The Wiltern - 3790 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California, USACompany Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (Ontario)Sound Mix:
StereoColor:
Color (Metrocolor)
Edit
Written and performed by Bobby Freeman
Courtesy of Platinum-Chess
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
In order to help promote the film, a syndicated, half hour musical variety special was shot called "Thank You Rock and Roll". See more »Goofs
TV newscasts were not regularly televised in color in 1959. See more »Soundtracks
Do You Want to DanceWritten and performed by Bobby Freeman
Courtesy of Platinum-Chess
See more »
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.