American Hot Wax (1978)
American Hot Wax is a 1978 biopic film directed by Floyd Mutrux and written by John Kaye telling the story of Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed, who was instrumental in introducing and popularizing rock 'n' roll in the 1950s. Freed is often credited with coining the term "Rock 'n' Roll." The film starred Tim McIntire as Freed, as well as Fran Drescher, Laraine Newman, Melanie Chartoff, and Jay Leno in supporting roles, Moosie Drier in a warmly reviewed performance as the head of a Buddy Holly fan club, and a walk-on part by a teen-aged Cameron Crowe. It also featured performances by Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Frankie Ford, Screamin' Jay Hawkins and the Brooklyn Dreams performed as "Professor La Plano and The Planotones". The film was never officially released on VHS or DVD, but the full film is currently viewable on YouTube. On theater release, the film did not do well at the box office with critics, which resulted in one of the reasons it didn't gain a wide audience gross worldwide.
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Cast:
- Jeff Altman
- Chuck Berry
- Al Chalk
- Fran Drescher
- Moosie Drier
- Joe Esposito
- Frankie Ford
- Charles Greene
- Sam Harkness
- Jo Ann Harris
- Ed Hokenson
- Yolanda Howard
- Charles Irwin
- Joyce King
- John Lehne
- Jay Leno
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Arnold McCuller
- Tim McIntire
- Laraine Newman
- Richard Perry
- Brenda Russell
- Screamin' Jay Hawkins
- Jeanne Sheffield
- Stephanie Spruill
- Bruce Sudano
- Kenny Vance
- Carl Earl Weaver