{"id":78136,"date":"2021-11-10T14:27:40","date_gmt":"2021-11-10T21:27:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=78136"},"modified":"2021-11-14T14:07:07","modified_gmt":"2021-11-14T21:07:07","slug":"american-hot-wax-1978","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=78136","title":{"rendered":"American Hot Wax (1978)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;The only way you can protect me is if I stop playing rock &#8216;n roll.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Poster-200x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-78137\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Poster-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Poster-681x1024.png 681w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Poster-85x128.png 85w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Poster-180x270.png 180w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Poster.png 743w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nRadio DJ Alan Freed (Tim McIntire) deals with pushback from law enforcement while promoting his upcoming (and final) rock &#8216;n&#8217; roll show at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Biopics<\/li>\n<li>Radio<\/li>\n<li>Rock &#8216;n Roll<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Response to Peary\u2019s Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nPeary writes that director &#8220;Floyd Mutrux&#8217;s affectionate facts-out-the-window tribute to the late Alan Freed&#8221; &#8212; &#8220;regarded as the first white deejay to play black music&#8221; &#8212; has &#8220;as flimsy a storyline as those fifties &#8216;B&#8217; rock &#8216;n&#8217; roll movies in which Freed appeared.&#8221; &#8220;Nevertheless,&#8221; he asserts, it &#8220;has great drive and sustained momentum, a chaotic atmosphere that properly reflects the wild era it depicts, and familiar music from 1957-60 (both performed by acts in the film and played on the soundtrack) that will make you feel joyfully nostalgic.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Performance.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Performance.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-78149\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Performance.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Performance-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Performance-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Performance-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Best of all,&#8221; Peary adds, is &#8220;Tim McIntire giving a dynamite performance as the former &#8216;Mr. Rock &#8216;n&#8217; Roll'&#8221; &#8212; someone who &#8220;really <em>loved<\/em> rock music.&#8221; We see Freed &#8220;respectfully spinning platters on his radio show&#8221;: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Platters2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Platters2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-78147\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Platters2.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Platters2-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Platters2-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Platters2-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; &#8220;taking a quick look at aspiring acts whom agents march through his office&#8221;: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Acts.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Acts.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-78144\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Acts.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Acts-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Acts-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Acts-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230;&#8221;amiably chatting with teenagers on the street&#8221;: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Chatting.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Chatting.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-78143\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Chatting.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Chatting-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Chatting-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Chatting-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; &#8220;stopping to listen to unknown doo-wop groups&#8230; who always cross his path between his car and a building&#8221;: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-DooWop.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-DooWop.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-78138\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-DooWop.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-DooWop-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-DooWop-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-DooWop-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and &#8220;watching a rousing recording session (of &#8216;Come Go With Me&#8217;).&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Recording.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Recording.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-78152\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Recording.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Recording-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Recording-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Recording-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Peary argues that &#8220;McIntire&#8217;s Freed is totally believable,&#8221; and &#8220;looks as if he walks through this cluttered, special world every day.&#8221; He points out that &#8220;while the film hints at Freed&#8217;s imminent downfall (because of a payola scandal)&#8221;, it ends on a &#8220;high note,&#8221; with special performances by &#8220;Chuck Berry (doing a really dirty version of &#8216;Reelin&#8217; and Rockin&#8221;), Jerry Lee Lewis, [and] Screamin&#8217; Jay Hawkins.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Berry.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Berry.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-78139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Berry.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Berry-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Berry-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Berry-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Lewis.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Lewis.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-78140\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Lewis.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Lewis-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Lewis-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Lewis-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Screamin-Jay.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Screamin-Jay.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-78141\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Screamin-Jay.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Screamin-Jay-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Screamin-Jay-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Screamin-Jay-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>There are also a few minor subplots woven throughout, including a young boy (Artie Ripp) who shows up at Freed&#8217;s station as the President of the Buddy Holly Fan Club: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Artie.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Artie.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-78154\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Artie.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Artie-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Artie-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Artie-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; a quibbling couple (Jay Leno and Fran Drescher) working for Freed: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Leno-Drescher.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Leno-Drescher.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-78155\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Leno-Drescher.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Leno-Drescher-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Leno-Drescher-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Leno-Drescher-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&#8230; and an aspiring songwriter (Laraine Newman) trying to convince her dad (Garry Goodrow) about her dreams: <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Newman.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Newman.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-78157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Newman.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Newman-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Newman-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Newman-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Indeed, this film very much has the feeling of a sprawling Robert Altman flick, with a cast of dozens; perhaps this was intentional, to show us how many rock &#8216;n&#8217; roll lovers were orbiting Freed&#8217;s universe. It&#8217;s not must-see viewing, but those interested in this era of music history will certainly want to check it out. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Notable Performances, Qualities, and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>An intriguing glimpse into the unique world inhabited by Freed<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Freed.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Freed.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-78153\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Freed.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Freed-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Freed-128x96.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/American-Hot-Wax-Freed-360x270.png 360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, but it&#8217;s recommended if you&#8217;re interested in this subgenre. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0077158\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1978\/03\/17\/archives\/screen-american-hot-waxbrooklyn-rocks.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tvguide.com\/movies\/american-hot-wax\/review\/2000115072\/\">TV Guide Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0077158\/externalreviews?ref_=tt_ov_rt\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;The only way you can protect me is if I stop playing rock &#8216;n roll.&#8221; Synopsis: Radio DJ Alan Freed (Tim McIntire) deals with pushback from law enforcement while promoting his upcoming (and final) rock &#8216;n&#8217; roll show at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Biopics Radio Rock &#8216;n Roll Response to Peary\u2019s Review: Peary writes that director &#8220;Floyd Mutrux&#8217;s affectionate facts-out-the-window tribute to the late Alan Freed&#8221; &#8212; &#8220;regarded as the first white deejay to play&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=78136\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-78136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-responses-to-peary"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78136","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=78136"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78136\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":78368,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78136\/revisions\/78368"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=78136"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=78136"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=78136"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}