Lonely Boy (1962)

A documentary chronicling the career of teen singing star Paul Anka (the title is taken from one of his hit songs).

Directors:

Wolf Koenig, Roman Kroitor

Stars:

Paul Anka, Jules Podell

Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win.

Cast

Credited cast:
Paul Anka	...	Himself
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jules Podell	...	Himself

Storyline

A documentary chronicling the career of teen singing star Paul Anka (the title is taken from one of his hit songs).

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Plot Keywords:

singing | song | amusement park | anchors aweigh | plastic surgery | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Short | Biography | Music

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Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 December 1999 (Taiwan)

Company Credits

Production Co:

National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

27 min

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Connections

Edited into 50 for 50: Volume 2 - The Documentary Tradition: Tape 4 (1989)

User Reviews

Funny But Sad

If you're wondering why Paul Anka refuses to throw in the towel and admit that his time in the spotlight is over (have you heard his recent rendition of "Eye of the Tiger" sung as if he's performing in a piano lounge?) just watch "Lonely Boy" for your answer.

How could anyone keep their head firmly below the clouds when they're surrounded by yes-men--fans and managers alike--proclaiming that they're the next best thing to the coming of the Messiah? I think my favorite moment comes when Anka's manager tells the camera, in all seriousness, that Anka is the most important artist since Shakespeare.

All of the people in this are unintentionally hilarious, but the documentary as a whole is a rather sad look at one man's brief moment at the peak of his fame and his refusal to let it go.

Grade: A