American Hot Wax

American Hot Wax

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

PG 1978 · 91 min · ★ 5.8 · Drama, History, Music

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.

Directed by Floyd Mutrux · Written by John Kaye

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Cast

Tim McIntire Alan Freed
Fran Drescher Sheryl
Jay Leno Mookie
Laraine Newman Teenage Louise
Carl Weaver Member of The Chesterfields
Al Chalk Member of The Chesterfields
Sam Harkness Member of The Chesterfields
Arnold McCuller Member of The Chesterfields
Jeff Altman Lennie Richfield
Moosie Drier Artie Moress
John Lehne D.A. Coleman
Stewart Steinberg Stone

Make it a double feature

4h 41m together

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