Eddie and the Cruisers (1983)

A television newswoman picks up the story of a 1960s rock band whose long-lost leader - Eddie Wilson - may still be alive, while searching for the missing tapes of the band's never-released album.

Director:

Martin Davidson

Writers:

Martin Davidson (screenplay), Arlene Davidson (screenplay)

Stars:

Tom Berenger, Michael Paré, Joe Pantoliano

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Berenger	...	Frank Ridgeway
Michael Paré	...	Eddie Wilson
Joe Pantoliano	...	Doc Robbins
Matthew Laurance	...	Sal Amato
Helen Schneider	...	Joann Carlino
David Wilson	...	Kenny Hopkins
Michael 'Tunes' Antunes	...	Wendell Newton
Ellen Barkin	...	Maggie Foley
Kenny Vance	...	Lew Eisen
John Stockwell	...	Keith Livingston
Joe Cates	...	Lois
Barry Sand	...	Barry Siegel
Vebe Borge	...	Gerry Rivers
Howard Johnson	...	Wendell's Replacement
Joey Balin	...	Eddie's Replacement

Storyline

They say rock 'n' roll never dies, but one early morning in 1964, Eddie Wilson's car took a dive off a New Jersey bridge with the troubled rock idol at the wheel. His body was never found. Twenty years after the lead singer of Eddie and the Cruisers disappeared, the band's songs are hotter than ever. And renewed interest in the band leads television reporter Maggie Foley to pursue a tantalizing mystery: What if Eddie is still alive? The circumstances surrounding his death are just shadowy enough to make it a distinct possibility, and someone (could it be Eddie?) has been ransacking the homes of the surviving band members in a desperate search for tapes of the group's visionary, never-released album. As Maggie interviews the former band members, the pieces of the puzzle start to fit - but only until still deeper mysteries begin to surface.

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Plot Keywords:

reporter | 1960s | rock 'n' roll | bridge | new jersey | 

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Taglines:

In 1964, Eddie Wilson had it all. He had genius. He had vision. He had the hottest rock n' roll band in the country. Then, suddenly one night, his car went off a dark New Jersey bridge. His body was never found. But his dream was never lost. And twenty years later, the mystery of Eddie Wilson begins to unravel.

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Mystery

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Eddie Wilson says they played at Fairleigh Ridiculous up in Madison. This was a reference to the school Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey. Fairleigh Ridiculous was a nickname for the university.

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Goofs

Wildwood does not have "big motels" or "big hotels" on its boardwalk.

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Quotes

Eddie Wilson: He's got somethin' we need.
Doc Robbins: Like what?
Eddie Wilson: Words and music, Doc. Words and music.

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Connections

Referenced in Secluded Passion (1983)

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Soundtracks

Wild Summer Nights
Written by John Cafferty (uncredited)
Performed by John Cafferty (lead vocal and guitar), Michael 'Tunes' Antunes (saxophone), Gary Gramolini (guitar), Robert Nicholas Cotoia (piano), Patrick Lupo (bass), Kenny Jo Silva (drums)

User Reviews

This movie is addictive.

I saw this movie when my family first got cable television. I watched it once, then twice, then the next thing I know I had watched it about 30 times. The story is well told through flashbacks and current events. the casting is good. Michael Pare is Eddie Wilson. Every time I have seen him since, that's the first thing I think about. Tom Berenger is also very good. His character starts out as naive and innocent and then begins to grow as we grow with him. This movie is totally addictive.

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 September 1983 (USA)

Also Known As:

Eddie and the Cruisers

Filming Locations:

Highlands, New Jersey, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$1,444,886, 25 September 1983

Gross USA:

$4,786,789

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,786,789

Company Credits

Production Co:

Aurora

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1