American Hot Wax

American Hot Wax

91 mins | Drama, History, Music | March 17, 1978

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.

American Hot Wax

91 mins | Drama, History, Music | March 17, 1978

American Hot Wax
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.
IMDb rating 6.9
Producers Paramount
Original title American Hot Wax
Directors Floyd Mutrux
Writers John Kaye

Cast

Tim McIntire

as Alan Freed

Fran Drescher

as Sheryl

Jay Leno

as Mookie

Laraine Newman

as Teenage Louise

Carl Weaver

as Member of The Chesterfields

Al Chalk

as Member of The Chesterfields

Sam Harkness

as Member of The Chesterfields

Arnold McCuller

as Member of The Chesterfields

Jeff Altman

as Lennie Richfield

Moosie Drier

as Artie Moress

John Lehne

as D.A. Coleman

Jack Edward Ellis

as Phillips

Richard Forbes

as Donahue

Stephen Pearlman

as Peter Overmyer

Keene Curtis

as Mr. Leonard

Pat McNamara

as Gordie

Hamilton Camp

as Louie Morgan

Chuck Berry

as Self

Jerry Lee Lewis

as Self

Charles Greene

as Chuck Otis

Kenny Vance

as Prof. La Plano

Joe Esposito

as Member of The Planotones

Bruce Sudano

as Member of The Planotones

Eddie Hokenson

as Member of The Planotones

Stephanie Spruill

as Member of The Delights

Joyce King

as Member of The Delights

Yolande Howard

as Member of The Delights

Brenda Russell

as Member of The Delights

Marion Perkins

as Artie's Mom

Matthew Tobin

as Artie's Dad

Bobby Johnson

as Tap Dancer

Harold 'Red' Keller

as Stage Manager

Elmer Valentine

as Union Man

Charles Irwin

as Member of Timmy and The Tangerines

Jeanne Sheffield

as Member of Timmy and The Tangerines

Andrea Robinson

as Girl Backstage

Gail Kantor

as Girl Backstage

Patricia Clinger

as Girl Backstage

Mark Diamond

as Stagehand

Al Maines

as Tap Dancer

Artie Ripp

as Artie