American Hot Wax

This film was the great story of Alan Freed, his struggle to bring black Rythym and Blues to the forefront, and the events of one such Rock and Roll show set in the mid 1950's. Alan Freed has been said to have coined the term 'Rock and Roll', but long before he used this word it was used in old blues songs for many of the same reasons: To describe a feeling.

My interest in this film had to do with one performer who wasn't mentioned in the credits here at IMDB and that was Jerry Lee Lewis. He chose to play himself in an earlier setting and his performance was a wee-bit more electrifying than those charming Chesterfields: Who were they anyway and why were they in this movie? I know, they used them to illustrate the struggling groups at that time... The movie was only successful as far as I was concerned by the appearances of Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry and Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Where was Fats Domino and where was Little Richard? Well, we got a glimpse of what was supposed to be Little Richard, out in the alley playing drums on the garbage cans. I think that the message there was that black performers of the day just didn't get a fair shake...We all know that this really isn't true, but we also know that many of them were exploited merely because they didn't know business too well, and for one bottle of whiskey a good blues recording could be made, a contract signed and the pockets of the smarter, more knowledgeable white businessmen in the record industry lined as the royalties rolled in, signed back to the studio instead of the artist. Alan Freed did a lot for black rythym and blues. He took the heat in the payola scandal when others like him, who by then, had branched out into television went away free as a bird. Alan Freed made no apologies: The black Rythym and Blues would have a place in history---- even at the expense of shows being closed down because of that so-called 'negro music'. The IRS thing was just the excuse-- Alan Freed was a hero and in my book, he still is. The appearance of Fran Drescher and Jay Leno is amusing to look back on today, but in no way do they help to accurately portray the story of Alan Freed, the big Rock and Roll shows, and the success of the Rock and Roll that we have come to know and love today. If you see this movie, get a good book on Alan Freed and read it. It will help. The movie really doesn't convey the story with as much passion as the real bio of the man Alan Freed does. Still a great soundtrack to have in your LP collection. Jerry Lee's segment will rock away all of your blues....

This movie has heart, soul and a passion for the music. A loving tribute to an exciting era. I grew up in Philadelphia, where guys doo-wopped in garages and on street corners, hoping Alan Freed would someday play their song. This movie successfully shows how important our new music was to us. Long Live Rock and Roll!

At the time this movie came out (1978) America was having its 20 year later nostalgia craze for the 1950s and it's music. "Happy Days" and "LaVerne And Shirley" were on TV and songs from the 50s were being remade and heard again. What great timing for this movie! The greatest thing about this movie, of course, are the musical performances. Instead of hiring all soundalikes from central casting, they actually brought back musicians and singers from the 1950s to sing their hits. Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Frankie Ford and others are on hand to show you what made them great. Of course, this was 20 years after Alan Freed's shows played and the performers do look a little worse for the wear, but their music more than makes up for it. Tin McIntire was fantastic as Alan Freed, a young Jay Leno as Mookie was adequate as was an also young Fran Drescher as Sheryl. Laraine Newman shines as a sort of Carole King character, writing songs for others. Why isnt this movie more popular than it is? Maybe because it's not on video? If you see this on TV some night, be sure to watch it and see the magical early days of Rock and Roll.

I love this movie. I saw it again on television a couple of years ago and tried to get my kids to sit down and watch it. I thought that the movie would give them a better appreciation of the music they take for granted and enjoy today if they could see what some people went through and the risks they took so that rock and roll could survive.

While a lot of movies have tried to show what the early rock'n'roll era was like -- American Hot Wax is the only movie that showed us what it FELT like.

Jerry Lee, Chuck Berry, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, and groups put together for the movie -- The Chesterfields (as Frankie Lyman and the Teenagers), The Delights (as The Chantels), and Timmy and the Tulips (as The Fleetwoods) -- Man Oh Man -- Wowee! These last three groups were in some ways better then the originals -- if that's possible. Check out those "Dee-Lites!"

What music, what a house band! What a recreation of an early rock'n'roll show in a movie theater. Hot Wax is amazing!

The Freed character -- Somewhat sanitized, but dynomite! Jay Leno and Fran Dresher -- wonderful! Lorrane Newman was a knock out! Every character is perfect. Teenage Louise's parents -- real or what?

Look for period details like the manager's (of the Laverne Baker-like singer) shades. Like the lable on the Little Richard record in the film's opening scene.

In a recent TV movie about Alan Freed, the character played a Little Richard record on the radio. The camera focused on the turntable. There was a generic record playing. Phony baloney. I changed the channel.

In American Hot Wax, the record was spinning on a turntable in the foreground. It was a Little Richard record all right -- and it was on the Specialty lable!

We originally saw American Hot Wax at the drive-in back when it first came out. Somehow it seemed fitting. I now have the sound track and a video copy of the movie from an HBO showing. Someday, hopefully, this great film will be commercially available on video. You have got to see this movie!

There is a scene in the radio station where the Program Director asks Freed why he has to play his monitor speakers so loud. "Because they know when you are listening," answers Freed. How true. Crank it up Alan!