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IMDbPro

Mr. Rock 'n' Roll: The Alan Freed Story

  • TV Movie
  • 19991999
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
509
YOUR RATING
Judd Nelson and Paula Abdul in Mr. Rock 'n' Roll: The Alan Freed Story (1999)
Home Video Trailer from Artisan
Play trailer1:15
1 Video
5 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
This is the story of Alan Freed. He was working as a DJ in Cleveland, Ohio, and he discovered how amazing R&B or Rhytym & Blues is, however, the music is considered to be "BLACK" music. So, ... Read allThis is the story of Alan Freed. He was working as a DJ in Cleveland, Ohio, and he discovered how amazing R&B or Rhytym & Blues is, however, the music is considered to be "BLACK" music. So, most radio stations won't play it. However, Freed believed that it's the next wave, so he ... Read allThis is the story of Alan Freed. He was working as a DJ in Cleveland, Ohio, and he discovered how amazing R&B or Rhytym & Blues is, however, the music is considered to be "BLACK" music. So, most radio stations won't play it. However, Freed believed that it's the next wave, so he fights to have it played on the air. Eventually, he went into the big time - New York, and... Read all
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
509
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Andy Wolk
  • Writers
    • John A. Jackson(book "Big Beat Heat: Alan Freed and the Early Years of Rock & Roll")
    • Matt Dorff(teleplay)
  • Stars
    • Judd Nelson
    • Mädchen Amick
    • David Gianopoulos
Top credits
  • Director
    • Andy Wolk
  • Writers
    • John A. Jackson(book "Big Beat Heat: Alan Freed and the Early Years of Rock & Roll")
    • Matt Dorff(teleplay)
  • Stars
    • Judd Nelson
    • Mädchen Amick
    • David Gianopoulos
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 9User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Mr. Rock 'n' Roll
    Trailer 1:15
    Mr. Rock 'n' Roll

    Photos

    Judd Nelson in Mr. Rock 'n' Roll: The Alan Freed Story (1999)
    Judd Nelson, Paula Abdul, and Mädchen Amick in Mr. Rock 'n' Roll: The Alan Freed Story (1999)
    Judd Nelson and Paula Abdul in Mr. Rock 'n' Roll: The Alan Freed Story (1999)
    Mr. Rock 'N' Roll - Michael Daingerfield appears as Bill Haley in the bottom right

    Top cast

    Edit
    Judd Nelson
    Judd Nelson
    • Alan Freedas Alan Freed
    Mädchen Amick
    Mädchen Amick
    • Jackie McCoyas Jackie McCoy
    David Gianopoulos
    David Gianopoulos
    • Morris Levyas Morris Levy
    Daniel Kash
    Daniel Kash
    • Hookeas Hooke
    Leon
    Leon
    • Jackie Wilsonas Jackie Wilson
    Paula Abdul
    Paula Abdul
    • Denise Waltonas Denise Walton
    Fabian
    Fabian
    Bobby Rydell
    Bobby Rydell
    James C. Victor
    James C. Victor
    • Jerry Lee Lewisas Jerry Lee Lewis
    Walter Franks
    Walter Franks
    • Little Richardas Little Richard
    Joe W. Davis
    • Buddy Hollyas Buddy Holly
    • (as Joe Warren Davis)
    Michael Dunston
    • Bo Diddleyas Bo Diddley
    LeRoy D. Brazile
    LeRoy D. Brazile
    • Frankie Lymonas Frankie Lymon
    Michael Daingerfield
    Michael Daingerfield
    • Bill Haleyas Bill Haley
    Fulvio Cecere
    Fulvio Cecere
    • Pete Bellas Pete Bell
    Mark Wilson
    Mark Wilson
    • Leo Mintzas Leo Mintz
    Ross Petty
    • J. Elroy McCawas J. Elroy McCaw
    Richard Fitzpatrick
    Richard Fitzpatrick
    • VP Programmingas VP Programming
    • Director
      • Andy Wolk
    • Writers
      • John A. Jackson(book "Big Beat Heat: Alan Freed and the Early Years of Rock & Roll")
      • Matt Dorff(teleplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Goofs
      The actor playing Bill Haley is shown playing a guitar solo during "Rock Around the Clock", something the real Haley never did, at least not in 1957-58 when the sequence takes place.
    • Connections
      Featured in The South Bank Show: Little Richard (1985)

    User reviews9

    Review
    Top review
    6/10
    Good for a TV movie
    OK it could have been better, but overall I thought it covered the lift of Alan Freed quite well. There are bound to be gaps but the main message got through. It is amazing how racist the music industry was and still is and one producer in the film said 'there are plenty of white acts doing rock and roll now, we don't need to feature blacks anymore' It was good that Mr Freed stood up to this. The actors playing the various Rock&Roll stars varied in how good they were. As usual they often over act and make it look so obvious they are miming. Watch the original Little Richard etc and you will see the charisma coming through in a way that the actors can't seem to get. Leon playing Jackie Wilson? Leon seems to play every black singer. he was David Ruffin in the Temptations story and Little Richard in the film about his life, but here as Jackie Wilson he just didn't seem right. I would recommend this film to any fan of Rock or anyone interested in the struggle of black artists.
    helpful•3
    1
    • les6969
    • Jan 5, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 31, 1999 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Mr. Rock and Roll
    • Filming locations
      • Canada
    • Production company
      • Von Zerneck-Sertner Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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