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The Idolmaker (1980)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Edward Di Lorenzo (writer)
Release Date:
14 November 1980 (USA)
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Tagline:
He's got the look... He's got the talent... He's got the Idolmaker... He's got it all!
Plot:
Based on the life of rock promoter/producer Bob Marucci, who discovered, among others, Frankie Avalon and Fabian. | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
1950s
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Rock Music
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Teen Idol
Awards:
Won Golden Globe.
Another 1 nomination
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NewsDesk:
User Comments:
One of a kind musical/drama
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Ray Sharkey | ... | Vincent 'Vinnie' Vacarri |
 | Tovah Feldshuh | ... | Brenda Roberts |
 | Peter Gallagher | ... | Caesare |
| Paul Land | ... | Tommy Dee |
 | Joe Pantoliano | ... | Gino Pilato |
 | Maureen McCormick | ... | Ellen Fields |
 | John Aprea | ... | Pani Vacarri |
 | Richard Bright | ... | Uncle Tony |
 | Olympia Dukakis | ... | Mrs. Vacarri |
| Steve Peck | ... | Mr. Frank Vacarri (as Steven Apostlee Peck) |
| Leonard Gaines | ... | Luchetti |
| Deney Terrio | ... | Jerry Martin |
| Charles Guardino | ... | Jesse |
| Michael Mislove | ... | Ed Sharp |
| Kenneth O'Brien | ... | Walt Bennett |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
117 min | 119 min (TCM print)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Feature film debuts of both Joe Pantoliano and Peter Gallagher
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Goofs:
Anachronisms: The body style of the Ford Thunderbird didn't become available until the 1964 model, but when Caesare plays in Memphis, the date on the banner is March 17, 1961.
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Quotes:
Vincent Vacarri:
Hey, I'm not dumb! You don't even know me and you call me dumb. Wanna know what's dumb? The last eight covers in a row you did on Elvis in the army, with the badges? That's dumb. And that's boring.
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Movie Connections:
Spoofed in "Saturday Night Live: Ray Sharkey/Jack Bruce & Friends (#6.6)" (1981)
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (23 total)
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I first saw this movie on HBO in 1981. At that time HBO only showed box office flops. The supposedly really good ones would not get on HBO for 3 or 4 years.
I just saw it again tonight, after 23 years, and I still enjoyed it. The music is great, the acting is great, and the plot is great.
What is there not to like about it? I tried watching Chicago in 2002, the academy award winner, and it was a piece of crap. It was a combination Alfred Hitchcock/Showboat/Singing in the Rain movie, that was a total flop in my opinion. I much more enjoyed this movie.
There are a few slow points in the movie, but they don't last for long. There is such energy and vivacity in this movie that it holds your attention as it builds up continually to the next "Idol."
The songs stick in your mind (at least in mine), but they are always "in the wings" of the Ray Sharkey character. For example, the first idol he made, Sharkey is shown off stage mimicking the singer's moves.
Anyway, it is a fun movie to watch, and one of a kind for its time, so I highly recommend it!