The Idolmaker (1980)

The same year Neil Diamond made a ballyhooed (through lackluster) remake of The Jazz Singer, first-time director Taylor Hackford (An Officer and a Gentleman) created a musical biography packed with energy, verve, and style. Golden Globe winner Ray Sharkey is Vincent Vacarri, a tough, charismatic music fan who turns producer, creating stars in the halcyon days of rock and roll. Loosely based on the life of Bob Marucci, who created the Fabian and Frankie Avalon juggernauts, the story is part character study, part musical. The outstanding concert sequences are the payoff with newcomer Peter Gallagher as the Fabian-like Caesare--a great bit of casting. Brill Building songwriter Jeff Barry's song score, including a cagey final number, is a highlight, as is Joe Pantoliano (in another debut) as Vacarri's abused but loyal songwriter partner. --Doug Thomas Amazon.com

Great older movie, good music!

I remember watching this with my sisters growing up! It's a good story with good music. Maybe not oscar-worthy, but a fun watch nonetheless.
March 28, 2008

Satisfying Music business expose

Ray Sharkey,giving a career best performance ,plays Vincent Vacarri a man clearly based on the real life Bob Marcucci,the man who discovered and moulded teen idols Frankie Avalon and Fabian .Marcucci acted as technical adviser on the movie which may in part account for its air of authenticity.We see Vaccari promoting the careers of two glossy haired teen idol wannabees ;there is Tommy Dee (Paul Land) and Caesare (Peter Gallagher).Tommy is the first to become a star until his crown is threatened by the emerging talent of Caesare in a way almost exactly paralleling the cases of Avalon and Fabian .We witness the wheeling and dealing of Vaccari as he glad hands and bribes anyone within the industry able to advance the carerrs of his proteges.He is helped by Brenda (Tovah Feldshuh) who falls in love with Vincent .

The movie mercilessly satirises the late 50's and early 60's teen music dream -a world, mercifully for music,dented by the British invasion and it benefits from wonderful direction from the debuting Taylor Hackford and a crop of exceptional supporting performance to back up the estimable Sharkey .This fine ,energetic and potent movie maybe takes itself a bit too seriously and does have a worryingly anachronistic John Barry score ,which while fine musically ,is not in synch with the period in which the picture is set and is too contemporary sounding .Like the more high profile Bette Midler picture The Rose it is an examination of how people are groomed for stardom and the price that has to be paid.It is much better than that movie and is a joy

Please note the version under review is pan and scan and not widescreen ;also note-if this kind of thing bothers you-that it does contain profanity January 24, 2008

Great Movie!!

Not a well known movie but very powerful and interesting look on the teen idols of the 50's Was supposedly modeled after the careers of Frankie Avalon ( Tommy ) and Fabian (Cesare) My daughters were obsessed with this movie after I introduced it to them. Peter Gallagher was very young here and Ray Sharkey was excellent. Highly recommend this film to watch. June 8, 2007

How did I miss this one?

God bless my satellite package, loaded with all of the premium movie channels. Disgusted with network TV and basic cable, any time of the day I can catch something decent. Often I peak at something I've never seen or heard of, and one morning I watched this movie. From the start the script, cast and performances keep you watching. A classic, often used storyline is given life and color by Taylor Hackford's direction. The movie is a perfect blend of everything: just the right amount of screen time for each character to produce the right balance for a story that never bores, always keeps you on your toes, and thoroughly entertains. So many familiar faces in this movie that I had no idea had put out such quality at such early stages in their career, including Peter Ghallager, Joe Pantoliano plus a magnificent performance by Ray Sharkey, someone who I'd heard of but had never knowingly seen in anything. His tour de force performance was offset only by the heartbreak I felt when reading his biography. The use of music in this movie is the glue holding it all together, particularly the film's score. Combined with the great script and performances, you really feel this movie, right down tot he last bittersweet note of the last song sung. An absolute delight to have tripped across when scanning the premium channels on my dish one morning. April 18, 2007

Finding the impossible

I want to thank Amazon for helping me find a product that according to the suppliers in our country are not available! I searched for the movie Idol Maker for over 2 years and as a last resort decided to try amazon! Well I found it, ordered it and within 2 weeks it was delivered from NY to my door in South Africa! Your service and quality of products are amazing and the security of your site makes me feel safe in ordering with my Credit Card! Thank you once again for ending my long search! February 2, 2007

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