Themes: Underdogs, Life in the Arts, Fighting the System
Main Cast: Tim McIntire, Fran Drescher, Jay Leno, Laraine Newman, Carl Earl Weaver
Release Year: 1978
Country: US
Run Time: 95 minutes
Plot
This lively musical comedy pays tribute to the birth of rock & roll in the late 1950s and the instrumental role played by disc jockey Alan Freed who helped bring the new sound into vogue. Much of the story centers on the daring deejay's attempts to put on the very first live rock & roll stage show at the Paramount Theatre in Brooklyn. To do this he must overcome the protests of concerned and angry parents, conservatives, and local police. Several performers of the era appear in the film including Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lee Lewis. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Al Chalk - Chesterfield; Sam Harkness - Chesterfield; Arnold McCuller - Chesterfield; Jeff Altman - Lennie Richfield; Moosie Drier - Artie Moress; Chuck Berry - Himself; Jerry Lee Lewis - Himself; Kenny Vance - Prof. La Piano; Olivia Barash - Susie; Hamilton Camp - Louie Morgan; Melanie Chartoff - Debbie; Keene Curtis - Mr. Leonard; Wee Willie Davis - Freed's Friend; Garry Goodrow - Louise's Dad; Larry Hankin - Diamond's Manger; Jo Ann Harris - Timmy and the Tangerine; John Hawker - Janitor; Johnny Haymer - Song Plugger; Michael Heit - Mr. Morris (Manager); Arnold Johnson - Arnold (Musician in Bar); Bobby Johnson - Tap Dancer; John Lehne - D.A. Coleman; Heather Lowe - Harriet (D.A.'s Secretary); Dina Ousley - Stage Manger's Date; Stephen Pearlman - Peter Overmyer; Mary Peters - "Big Red"; Richard Roat - Newscaster #1; Matthew Tobin - Artie's Dad; Elmer Valentine - Union Man; Cameron Crowe - Delivery Boy; Joe Esposito - Pianotone; Screamin' Jay Hawkins - Himself; Howard Storm - Billy Russo; Nora Denney - Louise's Mom; Pat McNamara - Gordie; Lonna Montrose - Girl at Bar; Richard Perry - George (Record Producer); George Poulos - D.J. #1; Fil Formicola - Man Singing in the Hallway; Stewart Steinberg - Stone; Tom Baker - Vinnie (Promo Man); Charles Irwin - Timmy and the Tangerine
Credit
Elayne Barbara Ceder - Art Director, Robert de Mora - Costume Designer, Floyd Mutrux - Director, Ronald J. Fagan - Editor, Danford B. Greene - Editor, Melvin Shapiro - Editor, Kenny Vance - Musical Direction/Supervision, George P. Gaines - Production Designer, William A. Fraker - Cinematographer, Art Linson - Producer, George P. Gaines - Set Designer, John Kaye - Screenwriter
