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The story of Philadelphia-based rock 'n' roll starmaker Bob Marcucci is given a pointed a clef treatment in The Idolmaker. Ray Sharkey plays Vincent Vacarri, who takes a couple of raw young kids (Peter Gallagher and Paul Land) and molds them into teen idols. If Gallagher and Land seem at times to be clones of Fabian and Frankie Avalon, then you've gotten the point. As played by Sharkey, Vacarri comes off as both maven and monster: he gives his boys everything they need professionally and everything they want personally, but it's subliminally clear that his interest is purely mercenary (incredibly, Bob Marcucci is the film's technical advisor). An excellent, clear-eyed view of show biz mechanics, The Idolmaker falters only in its anachronisms, notably the style of music performed by Vacarri's proteges.
Original Release
11/14/1980
US Release
11/14/1980
Links
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Ray Sharkey | Vincent 'Vinnie' Vacarri / Vincent Vacarri |
Tovah Feldshuh | Brenda Roberts |
Peter Gallagher | Caesare |
Paul Land | Tommy Dee |
Joe Pantoliano | Gino Pilato |
Maureen McCormick | Ellen Fields |
John Aprea | Mario Vacarri |
Richard Bright | Uncle Tony |
Olympia Dukakis | Mrs. Vacarri |
Steve Peck | Mr. Frank Vacarri |
Directors
Writers
Taylor Hackford, Edward di Lorenzo
Cast
Name | Character |
---|
Ray Sharkey | Vincent 'Vinnie' Vacarri / Vincent Vacarri |
Tovah Feldshuh | Brenda Roberts |
Peter Gallagher | Caesare |
Paul Land | Tommy Dee |
Joe Pantoliano | Gino Pilato |
Maureen McCormick | Ellen Fields |
John Aprea | Mario Vacarri |
Richard Bright | Uncle Tony |
Olympia Dukakis | Mrs. Vacarri |
Steve Peck | Mr. Frank Vacarri |
Leonard Gaines | Luchetti |
Deney Terrio | Jerry Martin |
Charles Guardino | Jesse |
Michael Mislove | Ed Sharp |
Kenneth O'Brien | Walt Bennett |
Michael Perrotta | Carlo |
Sylvia Shemmell | Sweet Inspirations |
Myrna Smith | Sweet Inspirations |
Afreeka Trees | Sweet Inspirations |
Owen C. Davis | London Fog |
Producers
Name | Role |
---|
Gene Kirkwood | Producer |
Hawk Koch | Producer |
R.J. Louis | Producer |
David Nichols | Producer |
Editors
Year | Type | Category | Won |
---|
1981 | Golden Globe | Best Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical | Nominated |
1981 | Golden Globe | Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical | Won |