American Hot Wax (1978)

American Hot Wax is Fun Fun Fun

Of course it's not the definitive Alan Freed story but it is cool. I especially like the scene in the recording studio when the Producer (Real-life producer Richard Perry) comes up with the Dom Dom... the beginning of the Dell Vikings hit "Come Go With Me" It shows Frankie Ford recording Sea Cruise in the next studio. Even Laraine Newman writing ABC's of Love for Frankie Lymon. Lots of little neat stuff. Put it out on DVD now! February 9, 2008

C'mon Paramount--Release It On DVD Already!

During one telling scene in Floyd Mutrux's film biography of Alan Freed, "American Hot Wax", Freed (beautifully played by the late Tim McIntryre) while on the air, gets a disturbing call from his father in Cleveland)--Freed hangs up and introduces the Drifter's record of "There Goes My Baby"..the swings swell, Freed leans back and closes his eyes and the audience immediately knows that music satisfies something deep within him..

"American Hot Wax," though it's far from factual in terms of telling the real story of Alan Freed, is a terrific little movie that somehow captures the sights and sounds of New York and the rock and roll of the late fifties--a time when four guys could be standing on a street corner harmonizing, and the next week be in a studio recording a potential hit.

McIntyre looks and sounds nothing like the real Freed but he does an incredible job of capturing Freed's essence....and the recreation of the
Rock and Roll Revue at the Brooklyn Paramount which climaxes the film is right on the money...............

There are good supporting performances by Jay Leno (looking more shovel-chinned than ever), Fran Drescher, and Lorraine Newman (playing a role loosely based on Carole King)....also included are great cameo performances by Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Kenny Vance and company (as the Planetones), and let's not forget the 'Chesterfields' the greatest fictional doo wop group of all time.

I found a bootleg DVD from a small company on line, but it's essentially a mediocre copy pressed on disc..........the fact that Paramount Home Video hasn't seen fit to issue a commercial release is criminal...

C'mon Paramount--suck it up--pay the clearance rights to the music and arists and get it out already---with loads of special features.......

A reissue of the soundtrack on CD wouldn't hurt either...............

Note--for those who want the real Alan Freed story set against the canvas of the early days of rock and roll radio, I suggest John Jackson's sensational book "Big Beat Heat" which should still be available from Amazon....................... December 4, 2007

Hot Wax - Cold Shoulder

It boggles the mind how some of the worst crap ever produced on film is on DVD, but "American Hot Wax" is still not available.
Although this is not a cinematic gem, it does capture the energy around the rock scene of the 50's. Having been a teenager in New York during that period, I vividly recall Alan Freed's radio & TV shows. He was in the right place at the right time, and quickly found himself in the wrong place once payola surfaced.
Looking back, one can now see how Freed "forced" certain songs on his listeners.
Meanwhile, the music in the movie is great (although somewhat anacronistic regarding the actual release dates of the songs). Look for a young Arnold McCollough (James Taylor's primary back-up volcalist) as a member of one of the doo wop groups.
Freed was a real-life cartoon character. This movie succeeds is showing viewers how the infancy of rock 'n roll evolved. Freed played a huge role in it's foundation.
The only real knock on the movie is the somewhat serious and indifferent demeanor portrayed by Tim McIntire. Freed was much more gregarious and personable in real life.
Get this out on DVD!! September 10, 2007

Great Historically inaccurate fantasy

Alan Freed is credited with coining the term "Rock & Roll"..Maybe he did and maybe he didn't..This film is a great,although historically inaccurate version of the Alan Freed story..Tim McIntire,an under-rated and mostly forgotten actor plays freed with gusto..Nothing much is made of Freed's tragic fall from grace in the wake of the so-called"payola"scandal,where influential deejays of the era accepted bribes to play certain recordings,even if the recordings in question were inferior to the many that these deejays didn't play..Maybe this omission isnecessary,given that"American Hot Wax"is essentially a concert film,a long and very entertaining presentation at the Brooklyn Fox Theatre,in new york city..Jerry Lee Lewis himself appears,but the real glory belongs to the unknown or under-appreciated groups performing here who mimic the old groups of the time..The Chesterfields sound,for all the world,like Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers,while the Planetones,with Kenny Vance do"Rock & Roll Is Here To Stay" as if there was no tomorrow..Screaming Jay Hawkins does"I Put A Spell On You',complete with his magic coffin,while other cobbled-together groups impersonate The Fleetwoods & The Chantels..Jay Leno,late night teevee's leading light even has a role here,as Freed's factotum,and he does well by it,having a teen-aged romance with Fran Drescher,Teevee's"The Nanny"...Sure,most of what happens in this film is fictional,but so what?The film is entertaining from start to finish.... March 14, 2007

Wonderful

I'm a pro musician and have been studying music history for 40 years, and this is , hands-down, one of Thee Best movies about the 1950's / Rock'N'Roll. Loads of fun! Why oh why are the best / hippest movies about musicians so obscure / hard to find / procure?? Typical example here. Not on DVD yet, may never be, so, buy the VHS. March 9, 2007

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