American Hot Wax

Mar 17, 1978

1h 31m

★ 5.6

1959. New York City. The battleground was Rock and Roll. It was the beginning of an era. You shoulda been there.

Overview

This is the story loosely based on Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed, who introduced rock'n'roll to teenage American radio audiences in the 1950s. Freed was a source of great controversy: criticized by conservatives for corrupting youth with the "devil's music"; hated by racists for promoting African American music for white consumption; persecuted by law enforcement officials and finally brought down by the "payola" scandals.

Genres

Drama

History

Music

Production Companies

Paramount Pictures

American Hot Wax Trailers

No Trailers found.

Cast

Alan Freed

Tim McIntire

Sheryl

Fran Drescher

Mookie

Jay Leno

Teenage Louise

Laraine Newman

Member of The Chesterfields

Carl Weaver

Member of The Chesterfields

Al Chalk

Member of The Chesterfields

Sam Harkness

Member of The Chesterfields

Arnold McCuller

Lennie Richfield

Jeff Altman

Artie Moress

Moosie Drier

D.A. Coleman

John Lehne

Stone

Stewart Steinberg

Country singer Maury Dann lives life in the fast lane, counting on his rakish charm and raw talent to excuse his reckless behavior. Touring on the road in the rural south with his dedicated manager, his loyal driver and his long-suffering girlfriend, Maury seduces groupies, brawls and breaks the law, brashly relying on his team to cover for him. Heedlessly alienating all those who care for him, Maury blindly keeps the pedal to the metal.

5.1

One Trick Pony

Oct 3, 1980

An aging rock star trying to put together a new album in the face of an indifferent record label and a talentless producer. At the same time, he's struggling to save his failing marriage.

5.5

Len and Company

Sep 11, 2015

A successful music producer quits the industry and exiles himself in upstate New York, but the solitude he seeks is shattered when his estranged son and the pop star he's created come looking for answers.

5.7

Telling Lies in America

Aug 2, 1997

A 17-year-old boy becomes friends with Billy Magic, the radio DJ he idolizes, and eventually slips into the payola and corruption of the entertainment world.

7.7

Welcome to Death Row

Sep 25, 2001

The record label Death Row Records has, since its creation in 1993, been synonymous with the American hip-hop climate. Formed by ex-bodyguard Suge Knight, the label has released seminal rap albums from luminaries including Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg, and the famous hip-hop martyr Tupac Shakur. WELCOME TO DEATH ROW is a fascinating, well-researched documentary which explores the history of this intriguing and incredibly significant company.

6.0

Imagine Waking Up Tomorrow and All Music Has Disappeared

Apr 19, 2015

Imagine waking up tomorrow and all music has disappeared. Just like that. What will remain when it is all gone: CDs, iPods, instruments?

7.9

Searching for Sugar Man

Jun 30, 2012

Two South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock 'n' roller, Rodriguez.

7.0

This Is Elvis

Apr 3, 1981

Though several actors portray Elvis Presley at different stages of his life, this documentary is comprised mostly of actual performance footage and interviews with Elvis, his fans and those close to him. This biographical docu-drama features rare footage of Elvis and dramatically recreated scenes from Elvis' life.

6.2

Whale Music

Nov 3, 1994

Shot around the breathtaking coastline of B.C.'s Howe Sound, Whale Music is the triumphant adaptation of Paul Quarringaton's Governor General's Award-winning novel about the redemption of a faded rock star through love and music. Richard J. Lewis' exploration of the reclusive musician's efforts to create a piece of music that will summon the whales is a sensory and emotional tour de force. Written by Vancouver Film Festival, Handbook

4.2

Outlaw Blues

Jul 15, 1977

An aspiring musician is released from prison to find that a song he had written while locked up has been stolen and made into a hit record by a country music superstar. When his confrontation with the star takes a violent turn the ex-con has to go back on the run, but he finds an unexpected ally in a shrewd background singer with a plan to turn the tables in his favor.

6.3

Spike Island

Oct 11, 2012

Teenage musicians travel to England's Spike Island in the hope of attending an outdoor performance by their favorite band, the Stone Roses.

7.4

The Sparks Brothers

Jun 18, 2021

Take a musical odyssey through five weird and wonderful decades with brothers Ron & Russell Mael, celebrating the inspiring legacy of Sparks: your favorite band’s favorite band.

0.0

Money for Nothing: Behind the Business of Pop Music

Jan 1, 2001

The hallmarks of popular music - artist independence and diversity of voices - are threatened by a contracting marketplace of record companies, radio ownership and playlists, as well as increased use in advertising. Big-name artists, historians and economists explain how popular music is produced and marketed and critique its current state.

0.0

Trajectoire - Part 1

Sep 30, 2025

Montreal, June 2025: Clémence, a young emerging musical artist, discovers the existence of her twin brother Simon, separated from her at birth. Eager to help her brother financially, Clémence naively falls for an online scam. The film explores the themes of family resilience and fraternal solidarity, while following the journey of Clémence, who is desperately trying to break in the music industry.

7.5

Elvis

Jun 22, 2022

The life story of Elvis Presley as seen through the complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

7.6

Hitsville: The Making of Motown

Aug 24, 2019

The remarkable story of the legendary Motown Records is told through exclusive interviews with the label’s visionary founder, Berry Gordy, and many of its superstar artists and creative figures, as well as rare performances and behind-the-scenes footage unearthed from Motown’s vaults and Gordy’s personal archives.

6.4

Yozgat Blues

Dec 5, 2013

Sabri, a barber in Yozgat - a very small city in the middle of Anatolia - has an emotional breakdown when he runs into Yavuz and Neşe, who come to the town to sing in a small music hall-bar. This will also affect Neşe and Yavuz. None of their desires will be how they want them to be.

5.9

White Star

Oct 27, 1983

A clean-cut synth artist in Germany hopes to turn his career around with the help of a washed-up, erratic, publicity-crazed American manager.

6.4

The Definitive Elvis: Elvis and the Colonel

Mar 31, 2002

One of the dominating figures in Elvis Presley's life was his manager, who was known as the "Colonel". No other relationship in Elvis' life was as controversial and misunderstood as the one he had with Colonel Tom Parker. The truth about their unique friendship is revealed in this documentary.

0.0

Saving Dreams

Sep 24, 2017

A naive girl with dreams of stardom, marries a powerful man, who abuses her while running a foundation that protects abused women.