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American Hot Wax is a 1978 biopic film directed by Floyd Mutrux and written by John Kaye, telling the story of pioneering disc jockey Alan Freed, who was instrumental in introducing and popularizing rock and 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 as Freed's feisty secretary, Laraine Newman as a young aspiring songwriter, Melanie Chartoff as a young singer, Jeff Altman as a sleazy record promoter who is told off by everybody he approaches, Jay Leno as Freed's mischievous limousine driver, Moosie Drier in a warmly reviewed performance as the head of a Buddy Holly fan club with at least 5,000 members, 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". On theater release, the film did not do well at the box office with critics, which resulted in one of the reasons it didn't gain a wide audience gross worldwide.
A&M Records released a 2-record soundtrack album 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, leaving some to wonder just how that was possible with such meagre public exposure.
Producer Art Linson discusses the movie's production and failure at the box office in his book What Just Happened? Bitter Hollywood Tales from the Front Line.
Original Release
03/17/1978
US Release
03/17/1978
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Tim McIntire | Alan Freed |
Fran Drescher | Sheryl |
Jay Leno | Mookie |
Laraine Newman | Teenage Louise |
Carl Weaver | Member of The Chesterfields |
Al Chalk | Member of The Chesterfields |
Sam Harkness | Member of The Chesterfields |
Arnold McCuller | Member of The Chesterfields |
Jeff Altman | Lennie Richfield |
Moosie Drier | Artie Moress |
Directors
Writers
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Tim McIntire | Alan Freed |
Fran Drescher | Sheryl |
Jay Leno | Mookie |
Laraine Newman | Teenage Louise |
Carl Weaver | Member of The Chesterfields |
Al Chalk | Member of The Chesterfields |
Sam Harkness | Member of The Chesterfields |
Arnold McCuller | Member of The Chesterfields |
Jeff Altman | Lennie Richfield |
Moosie Drier | Artie Moress |
John Lehne | D.A. Coleman |
Stewart Steinberg | Stone |
Jack Edward Ellis | Phillips |
Richard Forbes | Donahue |
Stephen Pearlman | Peter Overmyer |
Keene Curtis | Mr. Leonard |
Pat McNamara | Gordie |
Will Thornbury | Sid |
Hamilton Camp | Louie Morgan |
Chuck Berry | Self |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Art Linson | Producer |
Fred T. Gallo | Producer |