tavm Throughout the '70s, '50s Rock 'n' Roll music was experiencing a revival, thanks to the Broadway musical Grease, the movie American Graffiti, and the TV show "Happy Days". But by 1978, it seemed to have peaked in popularity. Sure, the movie version of Grease was the top grosser of the year, but it was probably helped by added songs sung by Olivia Newton-John and one written by Barry Gibb sung by Frankie Valli that very much sounded more like the era it was made in instead of the era it took place in. The Buddy Holly Story starring Gary Busey as Holly was a good biopic on his life and got Busey an Oscar nomination though I don't know if it did well enough, box office-wise. This one, starring Tim McIntire as legendary DJ Alan Freed, is also entertaining. But it flopped at the box office possibly because too much was going on, it's mostly fictional with real-life elements only scattered here and there, and there's no modern music stars-only vintage ones like Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Frankie Ford (those last two being natives of my home state of Louisiana-Ferriday and New Orleans, respectively), and Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Still, like I said, this was mostly entertaining from funny banter between Jay Leno and Fran Drescher, a touching turn by a kid named Moosie Drier as the president of the Buddy Holly fan club when talking about Holly after his death to Freed on air, and Laraine Newman as an aspiring songwriter mentoring an African-American Doo-Wop group. I also loved the brief dialogue exchange between Berry and McIntire as Freed having just seen Berry do the same with the real Freed in Go, Johnny, Go! After first watching this 14 years ago, I was even more enthralled with this just now watching this on YouTube. So that's a high recommendation for American Hot Wax. Oh, and I dedicate this review in memory of the late Mr. Berry. R.I.P.

TSMChicago 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.

pimpcheeze Floyd Mutrux is a golden god of American film making. "Hollywood Knights" is the greatest movie ever made, and this (American Hot Wax) may be the second. If "American Graffiti" can make it to DVD, this can.I would imagine the reason it hasn't yet been released is licensing of all the songs, the reason the Hollywood Knights disc was delayed for so long. Everyone is greedy these days, but isn't a little something better than nothing at all? Let it go, people!It is a great movie about a great time not only in America, but music. This is the 'big bang' of rock n'roll. Chuck Berry wears the exact same clothes from his very own closet as he did in '56, in this movie. The reason the RnR Hall of Fame is in Cleveland, is because that's where Alan Freed started - and he coined the phrase "rock n'roll". In this movie, like the aforementioned HK movie, Mutrux's eye for talent brings to the screen for the first time actors/actresses that would become luminaries in the future. Leno, Drescher, who knew? GET THIS MOVIE TO DVD NOW, thank you. :)

sexysinglelady I have seen this movie and think it is absolutely brilliant, not only the movie but the casting as well, Tim McIntire for example played the part so realistically , my children grew up with this as well as movies like streets of fire, Eddie and the cruisers one and two as you can no doubt tell i am a music story buff , unfortunately i longer have a copy so if anyone knows if or when i can get this movie please let me know ,,,, a lot of Aussies i speak to say the same thing about this movie and others like it so keep making them for all us oldies but softies, rock and roll is here to stay it will never die , as sung in American Hot Wax the best movie of all time in my eyes thanks and enjoy