I first saw this movie in theaters when I was 9 years old, and because I was so totally blown away by the entire production, especially Tim McIntire's portrayal of Alan Freed, that I ended-up falling in love with, not only the movie, but the entire genre of Rock n' Roll music of the mid 50's-early 60's, and I still feel the same way today. After I eventually found an 8 track tape to the soundtrack of American Hot Wax in 78', which included all the great artists and groups, performing the great music featured in the movie. I played that tape, over-and-over again until I wore it out. Or, until 8 track tapes eventually became obsolete a few years later, I can't remember which.
The only reason this movie doesn't receive a 10 from me, is that it takes some dramatic liberties with the actual dates and locations of some important events of the time the movie is suppose to be representing. Like the year that Buddy Holly died, {Spoiler Alert} and the location of the theater where the movies climatic Rock n' Roll show actually took place(hint:it was actually in Boston not Brooklyn, NY) which led to Alan Freed being charged with inciting a riot, and eventually caused him to declare bankruptcy.
Yet, despite these rather obvious factual errors to anyone who knows their Rock n' Roll history, American Hot Wax is as fun and exciting as any Rock n' Roll musical that's ever been produced, without having any of the characters dance and sing directly to an audience, that characters would never do unless they knew they were in a movie.
While it's difficult to know for sure why a terrific movie like American Hot Wax had such dismal box office returns, and has been kind of forgotten about over the years. Fortunately, for me, I was able to watch the movie in a theater when it was initially released, and was such a wonderful amazingly joyous experience that I never forgot the moment, or the movie, which is one of several reasons American Hot Wax still remains one of my all time favorite little known gems today.
The only reason this movie doesn't receive a 10 from me, is that it takes some dramatic liberties with the actual dates and locations of some important events of the time the movie is suppose to be representing. Like the year that Buddy Holly died, {Spoiler Alert} and the location of the theater where the movies climatic Rock n' Roll show actually took place(hint:it was actually in Boston not Brooklyn, NY) which led to Alan Freed being charged with inciting a riot, and eventually caused him to declare bankruptcy.
Yet, despite these rather obvious factual errors to anyone who knows their Rock n' Roll history, American Hot Wax is as fun and exciting as any Rock n' Roll musical that's ever been produced, without having any of the characters dance and sing directly to an audience, that characters would never do unless they knew they were in a movie.
While it's difficult to know for sure why a terrific movie like American Hot Wax had such dismal box office returns, and has been kind of forgotten about over the years. Fortunately, for me, I was able to watch the movie in a theater when it was initially released, and was such a wonderful amazingly joyous experience that I never forgot the moment, or the movie, which is one of several reasons American Hot Wax still remains one of my all time favorite little known gems today.