American Pop (1981)

The story of four generations of a Russian Jewish family of musicians parallels the history of American popular music in the 20th century.

Director:

Ralph Bakshi

Writer:

Ronni Kern

Stars:

Ron Thompson, Mews Small, Jerry Holland

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ron Thompson	...	Tony / Pete (voice)
Mews Small	...	Frankie (voice) (as Marya Small)
Jerry Holland	...	Louie (voice)
Lisa Jane Persky	...	Bella (voice)
Jeffrey Lippa	...	Zalmie (voice)
Roz Kelly	...	Eva Tanguay (voice)
Frank DeKova	...	Crisco (voice) (as Frank De Kova)
Richard Singer	...	Benny (voice)
Elsa Raven	...	Hannele (voice)
Ben Frommer	...	Palumbo (voice)
Amy Levitt	...	Nancy (voice)
Leonard Stone	...	Leo Stern (voice)
Eric Taslitz	...	Little Pete (voice)
Gene Borkan	...	Izzy (voice)
Richard Moll	...	Beat Poet (voice)

Storyline

"American Pop" is the animated story of a very talented and troubled family starting with 19th century Russia and moving through several generations of musicians. The film covers American music from the pre-jazz age through soul, '50s rock, drug-laden psychadelia, and punk, finally ending with the onset of new wave in the early 1980s.

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Plot Keywords:

musician | pop | 1980s | jewish | 20th century | 

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Taglines:

All those years, all those dreams, all those sons... one of them is going to be a star.

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Genres:

Animation | Drama | Music

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Hebrew Russian Yiddish

Release Date:

13 February 1981 (USA)

Also Known As:

Amerykanska muzyka pop

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bakshi Productions, Aspen Productions (I), Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although not specifically stated, the incident in which Zalmie's mother dies appears to be the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, a one of the worst industrial disasters in New York City's history. 146 garment workers, mostly immigrant women, died either in the fire, or by jumping from the windows of the 8th-10th floors because the doors were locked shut. The fire prompted legislative and union action to improve safety and working conditions in garment sweatshops.

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Goofs

The German Soldier who shoots the pianist is wearing an American Helmet with a Swastika painted on the front (which was not the case in any German forces during the war). Also, his weapon is obviously a semi-automatic rifle but he fires it full-automatic as though it were a sub-machine gun.

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Quotes

Zalmie: Hey, Louie. I just seen the most beautiful thing I ever seen in the whole world.
Louie: Some pre-Prohibition booze, huh?
Zalmie: No. I seen the stripper gettin' dressed.
Louie: A stripper gettin' dressed ain't beautiful unless she's ugly to begin with.

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Crazy Credits

Disclaimer before soundtrack listings: The following songs were depicted as being written by fictional characters. The producer would like to thank the true composers.

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Connections

References I Love Lucy (1951)

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Soundtracks

"Mona Lisa"
Composed by Jay Livingston & Ray Evans

User Reviews

Good. Especially if you're a music geek, like me.

I love the animation style used in this movie. The interlacing of real footage and photos from earlier times brings a level of realism not seen in many animated films. The characters move realistically as well; minute body language is portrayed well. Voice overs are great. Of course it's not "Disney quality", but it's got a grittiness to it that truly makes it original.

Now I can see how one could criticize this movie. Basically, it all depends on how you watch it. If you watch it as a drama, you'll be disappointed. The plot is very centered around the one tragic late hippieish character, and is pretty simple and predictable. But there's a certain amount of charm within the overall story, kind of a sad, but beautiful shine.

If you watch it more as a musical, the movie works fine. The songs chosen are fantastic, and they totally underline the feel of the scenes in which they are used. In one of the first scenes, taking place in Czar-era Russia, there is no dialogue, only subtitles (giving it a great historical feel). The soundtrack is a sad and stirring Russian song sung acappella. You really get a sense of what the characters were going through.

This style continues throughout the movie. One of the most emotional scenes, for me, takes place in a cornfield, with the character torn apart with what he's done with his life. Janis Joplin's version of "Summertime" (an interesting choice, perhaps a hint of a throwback to earlier eras, as it is a Gershwin tune) as haunting as ever plays as the character cries. Messed up. But well done.

Jimi Hendrix has a cameo. A pseudo-Joplin/Slick character has a major role. A Sex Pistols parody jams it out. Late 70s corporate goons are running the studio. Great fun.

And that's how you have to enjoy the movie; and that's probably why music geeks will love it more than anyone else.