American Hot Wax

American Hot Wax
Directed by	Floyd Mutrux
Produced by	Art Linson
Written by	John Kaye
Starring	Tim McIntire, Fran Drescher, Jay Leno, Laraine Newman, Moosie Drier, Jeff Altman, John Lehne, Richard Perry, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Frankie Ford, Charles Greene
Studio	Paramount Pictures
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date(s)	1978 (1978)
Country	United States
Language	English

American Hot Wax is a 1978 biopic film directed by Floyd Mutrux and written by John Kaye telling the story of Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed, who was instrumental in introducing and popularizing rock 'n' roll in the 1950s. Freed is often credited with coining the term "Rock 'n' Roll." The film starred Tim McIntire as Freed, as well as Fran Drescher, Laraine Newman, Melanie Chartoff, and Jay Leno in supporting roles, Moosie Drier in a warmly reviewed performance as the head of a Buddy Holly fan club, and a walk-on part by a teen-aged Cameron Crowe. It also featured performances by Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Frankie Ford, Screamin' Jay Hawkins and the Brooklyn Dreams performed as "Professor La Plano and The Planotones". The film was never officially released on VHS or DVD, but the full film is currently viewable on Myspace.^{[citation needed]}

A&M Records released a 2-record soundtrack featuring the Brooklyn Paramount performances from the movie on Record 1 (in stereo) and original recordings used throughout the film on Record 2 (all in mono). The soundtrack reached #31 on the Billboard charts.

Producer Art Linson discusses the movie's production and its failure at the box office in his book What Just Happened? Bitter Hollywood Tales from the Front Line.

Cast

• Tim McIntire -- Alan Freed
• Fran Drescher -- Sheryl
• Jay Leno -- Mookie
• Laraine Newman -- Teenage Louise
• Moosie Drier -- Artie Moress
• Jeff Altman -- Lennie Richfield
• John Lehne -- D.A. Coleman
• Richard Perry -- Record producer

Performers

• Chuck Berry -- Himself
• Jerry Lee Lewis -- Himself
• Screamin' Jay Hawkins -- Himself
• Frankie Ford -- Himself
• Charles Greene -- Chuck Otis

The Chesterfields

• Carl Earl Weaver
• Al Chalk
• Sam Harkness
• Arnold McCuller

The Delights

• Stephanie Spruill
• Joyce King
• Yolanda Howard
• Brenda Russell

Timmy & The Tulips

• Charles Irwin -- Timmy
• Jeanne Sheffield
• Jo Ann Harris

The Planotones

• Kenny Vance -- Professor La Plano
• Joe Esposito
• Bruce Sudano
• Ed Hokenson

External links

• American Hot Wax at the Internet Movie Database