Memorable, crazy movie

Absolutely the worst movie.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

American HOT WAX. Is a very beautifully nostalgia look at the 1950's. And its a fond look at Alan Freed the DJ who first coined the term Rock and Roll. To describe the new music that the kids were listening to. And the tag line was very true there was a war being fought and the battle lines were drawn on Rock and Roll.On one side the parents the authorities. On the other side the Teenagers a newly coined term for kids between 13 and 18.They were looking for something to give them a a indenity. something to help define them. Alongside them were the Rock and Roll singers themselves just struggling to find a voice and along them were men like Alan Freed who loved them for what they wee doing. Freed dragged Rock and Roll out of the dirty musty shadows. He brought it into the light and He didn't try to change it . He just wanted it to be played. Freed for all of his efforts was a hunted man. The authorities wanted him on every charge they could think of.And they finally got it in the form of payola. In which highly influential DJs were given money to play certain records and push them up to number one. Not very ethical. but in a industry still struggling to come to terms with itself. And no set rules What could it hurt they figured. but it did hurt them and effectively shut Freed down as a result Freed began drinking harder and died at the age of 42. He never survived the 60's and never lived long enough to see his creation become widely accepted and a major force for change. I think Alan Freed would have been proud.American Hot Wax tells the story of Freed struggling to put on the rock and roll show of 1959. the authorities want to shut it down and shut him down. And Freed well he wants it to go on. With the kids at his side and Rock and roll stars backing them up. Freed is determined to put the show on. A compassionate look at a man whose life was hectic and chaotic. Who still had time for his fans. And A man who still had the power to make a few dreams come true for some . A fond look at what was. And one of the best Rock and Roll movies ever made.

What a great character study where the music itself plays an essential role.We are treated to several scenes where the creative process of producing a rock and roll classic is depicted. Sure, they take a few liberties with history, but the essence of the music and the era is so true to life. Casting a recording studio veteran (Richard Perry) as the producer who finally coaxes "Come and Go With Me" out of an inexperienced group of singers was film-making genius.Lorraine Newman as Teenage Louise was an obvious recognition of the accomplishments of Carole King.Including performances by Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and Screamin' Jay Hawkins added an air of authenticity to the climatic concert in Brooklyn.Tim McIntire's performance as Alan Freed captured the pioneer disc jockey's habit of tapping the beat of the songs with a pencil in the broadcast booth.The singers portraying The Chesterfields make another appearance in Floyd Mutrux's 1980 comedy riot "The Hollywood Knights" along with Fran Drescher and Moosie Drier. And lets not forget a very young Jay Leno as Mookie, Alan Freed's driver.A wonderful film that deserves a legitimate DVD release with all the extras. Let's solve those music royalty issues and get this movie out to the public.

I saw "Wax" back in '78, bought the excellent soundtrack as soon as it was released, and have wished, ever since, to watch this movie again. It caught me from the opening minutes with its "you-are-there" sense, in both intimate and crowd scenes, of the excitement and energy flowing during the high-water of rock 'n roll. Like "American Graffiti", "American Hot Wax" is about what are labeled "the '50's". "Graffiti" was about the characters, with rock 'n roll as the backdrop; "Wax", however, is about rock 'n roll itself, and about its place in the lives of the characters -- promoters, musicians, and fans -- involved with it.

From about the same time as The Buddy Holly Story, American Hot Wax is another story of the renegade nature of rock and roll. It features an impassioned performance by the late Tim McIntyre (who was the saving grace in Robert Aldrich's imperfectly awful The Choirboys), a slew of solid rock hits, and a general feel for the greatness of the breakthrough musical genre of the late 1950's.I haven't seen AHW since USA showed it on their old "Night Flight" movies in the '80's--remember the state-of-the-art computer animation of flying over a dazzlingly lighted city? I saw the movie and loved it when HBO showed it ten years earlier and enjoyed it just as much the second time around. If you can find a copy, watch it for the nostalgia, regardless of historical accuracy.Back to McIntyre. He was a wonderfully menacing chameleon who could play bad guys on TV, then turn around and nail a renegade disk spinner like Alan Freed. McIntyre holds the movie together and you would be wise in finding a copy of American Hot Wax to add to your video--and music--collections.