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DIRECTOR: Floyd Mutrux (Dusty and Sweets McGee)
STARS: Tim McIntire (The Gumball Rally, Brubaker), Fran Drescher (Doctor Detroit), Jay Leno, Laraine Newman (Invaders from Mars), Jeff Altman, Pat McNamara
SYNOPSIS: Excellent account of Alan Freed’s first (and last) all-star Rock ‘N’ Roll anniversary concert. The film starts off a few days before the big event and we see infamous 50’s DJ Alan Freed in his day to day hustle. When he’s not spinning records he’s navigating through a sea of musical hopefuls displaying their songs and voices. Amazingly, he seems to find time for everyone and is genuinely interested in their talents and lives. He can barely get from the front door of his building to a waiting car without someone singing a tune to him. Meanwhile, the countdown is on as the big concert is only days away. As if that weren’t enough pressure the feds and cops are closing in on Freed with rumors of pay-to-play in the radio business. “Everyone does it!” Freed explains to his manager. The big finale takes place at the “Paramount” theater in Brooklyn, NYC. Special guests include Chuck Berry, Screaming Jay Hawkins and Jerry Lee Lewis (playing themselves) as well as actors portraying a number of acts from that time period. It was a smart move casting character actor Tim McIntire, who often played mean or tough characters, as Freed. Instead of a well known leading man that might have dropped the ball, McIntire brings some gravitas and edge to his excellent performance. His Freed is an amazing mover and shaker able to navigate from the youngest fan to the most hardened sleazebag with ease. Fran Drescher and Jay Leno, both quite young, play Freed’s assistant and driver respectively. Laraine Newman is memorable as a young songwriter who connects with a group of four black singers who bring her songs to life. The movie itself is an absolute love letter to music with more songs packed into the soundtrack than you can count. Despite the film being a drama it moves like an action film - the camerawork and speed of the dialog scenes never let up. It reminded me at times of American Graffiti and Nashville. Highly recommended. WIDESCREEN
Widescreen / Color
Region Free / Code Free DVD-R
DIRECTOR: Floyd Mutrux (Dusty and Sweets McGee)
STARS: Tim McIntire (The Gumball Rally, Brubaker), Fran Drescher (Doctor Detroit), Jay Leno, Laraine Newman (Invaders from Mars), Jeff Altman, Pat McNamara
SYNOPSIS: Excellent account of Alan Freed’s first (and last) all-star Rock ‘N’ Roll anniversary concert. The film starts off a few days before the big event and we see infamous 50’s DJ Alan Freed in his day to day hustle. When he’s not spinning records he’s navigating through a sea of musical hopefuls displaying their songs and voices. Amazingly, he seems to find time for everyone and is genuinely interested in their talents and lives. He can barely get from the front door of his building to a waiting car without someone singing a tune to him. Meanwhile, the countdown is on as the big concert is only days away. As if that weren’t enough pressure the feds and cops are closing in on Freed with rumors of pay-to-play in the radio business. “Everyone does it!” Freed explains to his manager. The big finale takes place at the “Paramount” theater in Brooklyn, NYC. Special guests include Chuck Berry, Screaming Jay Hawkins and Jerry Lee Lewis (playing themselves) as well as actors portraying a number of acts from that time period. It was a smart move casting character actor Tim McIntire, who often played mean or tough characters, as Freed. Instead of a well known leading man that might have dropped the ball, McIntire brings some gravitas and edge to his excellent performance. His Freed is an amazing mover and shaker able to navigate from the youngest fan to the most hardened sleazebag with ease. Fran Drescher and Jay Leno, both quite young, play Freed’s assistant and driver respectively. Laraine Newman is memorable as a young songwriter who connects with a group of four black singers who bring her songs to life. The movie itself is an absolute love letter to music with more songs packed into the soundtrack than you can count. Despite the film being a drama it moves like an action film - the camerawork and speed of the dialog scenes never let up. It reminded me at times of American Graffiti and Nashville. Highly recommended. WIDESCREEN
Widescreen / Color
Region Free / Code Free DVD-R
