American Hot Wax (1978)

  • PG
  • 03/17/1978 (US)
  • Drama, History, Music
  • 1h 31m

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.

Floyd Mutrux

Director

John Kaye

Screenplay

Cast

Tim McIntire's headshot

Tim McIntire

Alan Freed
Fran Drescher's headshot

Fran Drescher

Sheryl
Jay Leno's headshot

Jay Leno

Mookie
Laraine Newman's headshot

Laraine Newman

Teenage Louise
Carl Weaver's headshot

Carl Weaver

Member of The Chesterfields
Al Chalk's headshot

Al Chalk

Member of The Chesterfields
Sam Harkness's headshot

Sam Harkness

Member of The Chesterfields
Arnold McCuller's headshot

Arnold McCuller

Member of The Chesterfields

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