Rock machine

I first saw this movie on HBO in 1981. At that time HBO only showed box office flops. The supposedly really good ones would not get on HBO for 3 or 4 years.

I just saw it again tonight, after 23 years, and I still enjoyed it. The music is great, the acting is great, and the plot is great.

What is there not to like about it? I tried watching Chicago in 2002, the academy award winner, and it was a piece of crap. It was a combination Alfred Hitchcock/Showboat/Singing in the Rain movie, that was a total flop in my opinion. I much more enjoyed this movie.

There are a few slow points in the movie, but they don't last for long. There is such energy and vivacity in this movie that it holds your attention as it builds up continually to the next "Idol."

The songs stick in your mind (at least in mine), but they are always "in the wings" of the Ray Sharkey character. For example, the first idol he made, Sharkey is shown off stage mimicking the singer's moves.

Anyway, it is a fun movie to watch, and one of a kind for its time, so I highly recommend it!

It was fall of 1980 and I was listening to NBC Radio ( A.M. ). At the time, that station played great music of the day. I remember calling up a radio contest which said that you could win tickets to the premiere of a new movie called " The Idolmaker " at Radio City Music Hall in New York City ( Manhatten ). I could not believe that I actually got thru and when I did was told that I had won. They wanted my name, address and phone number and told me that I would be receiving tickets to the premiere of the movie. What made matters even more great was the fact that my ex-husband worked for Rockefeller Center, not NBC otherwise we wouldn't have been eligible for winning these tickets. What luck! The premiere of this movie was amazing!!! I loved the acting, and the singing was to die for. After the movie ended, the stars of the show got up on the Radio City stage and spoke a few words thanking everyone who attended. I was privileged to have been seated in the 5th row from front. Peter Gallagher was so handsome in person as was Paul Land. Ray Sharkey ( may he rest in peace ) was at his finest hour. Even though this movie received a bad review and it didn't do too well in the theaters, I believe that many people were not given the opportunity to see what a fine movie this really was. Prince and Michael Jackson are big fans of this movie and for good reason. " You can be anything you want to be " , and that is the motto of this movie. Singer, songwriter, artist-you can make it!

My brother and I are in our 40's and have been watching, and STILL talk, about this movie and how great it is all the time. We call this movie a "chorestopper" meaning no matter what chore you are doing when you see this movie on t.v., you must stop immediately and watch it, again. The music is wonderful and I am constantly telling people to watch it. I hope at least one person did. In a time where there is so much garbage on t.v., this movie makes me feel great when I finish watching it. I am a huge fan of Peter Gallagher and only watch him on t.v. now because it reminds me of this movie. The cast was wonderful, the music was great and I will forever be a fan of this movie.

We loved this movie! I loved it years later and special ordered the soundtrack on vinyl. Now I'm trying to get it on cd. Impossible I think. Peter Gallagher was hot as "Fabian" and the music scenes were real, not Hollywood musical crap. This is a very moving film about a man who spends his life making the careers of others only to get left behind as they move up the food chain. Talented himself but didn't have "the look" that sold records. Ray Sharky died of aids yrs later, actually did some work while he had hiv and looked it. This is probably his best work. I have always been a movie buff (still dream of directing) and I can remember the Ebert and Roeper review of this film. It was their sleeper hit of the week. I remember if vividly because that's when I learned about the term "sleeper" referencing films. It was a 2 thumbs up and HBO played it constantly. HBO was limited back then and this was always on and we watched it every chance we could!

This movie is the ultimate sleeper for me. What kept this movie from exploding into the theaters ? It has great direction, outstanding music, and career-defining performances !

"The Idolmaker" truly has everything. It is set during the time when Elvis was in the Army and everyone was looking for the Next Big Thing (Fabian, Frankie Avalon etc.). It shows how a man who is a great songwriter can turn guys who "have the look" into superstars.

This is the role that Ray Sharkey was born to play. It is almost as though he was the person who wrote the script, and had himself in mind for the role all along. You can just see the way he delivers his lines, dances to the music, and sings, that he truly is Vincent Vacarri.

Besides the fact that the acting is great, the musical performances are flawless. The songs just explode from the screen with catchy tunes. It gets especially interesting towards the end when Caesare (Peter Gallagher) gives his giant production live number.

Folks, if you haven't seen this movie (and I highly doubt that you have) - do yourself a favor and see it ! Like I said, it is a hard to find movie - but it is worth the time to track it down.

This is what happens if all the elements are clicking properly for a film with musical numbers.

Like I said, it's the biggest secret in film. Now that you know the secret, do yourself a favor and rent it. You'll thank me afterwards !