American Hot Wax
| American Hot Wax | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Floyd Mutrux |
| Written by | John Kaye |
| Produced by | Art Linson |
| Starring | Tim McIntire
John Lehne Charles Greene[disambiguation needed] |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
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| 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 YouTube.[citation needed] On theatre release, the film was an atrocious failure, prompting its expedient removal from scheduled rounds.
Be forewarned that the film is so poorly conceived and dismally bad (by general consensus) that viewing it in entirety will be ultimately painful, not recommended and nearly impossible for any intelligent, sensible human being. View at your own risk.
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). Incredibly, the soundtrack reached #31 on the Billboard charts, leaving some to wonder just how that was possible with such meagre public exposure. In other words, it seems quite suspicious.
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[disambiguation needed] -- Chuck Otis
The Chesterfields
The Delights
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
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