Customer Reviews

American Hot Wax

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I can't believe this movie is so hard to get. It is the great story of Alan Freed who brought rock and roll to American teenagers and is also about the people who obstructed him in this. There are many aspects of his life that are not talked about but it is still worth watching, if only for the great music in it. Also the roles played by Jay Leno and Fran Drescher are funny.

Why oh why is this not on DVD. I have a very wobbly copy on VHS taken from the TV, complete with commercials. It captures the pure energy of the music of the time. Whilst watching it a while ago on VHS my then 13 year old daughter came in and asked what I was watching, when I told her she shrugged and said Oh no. Then sat down looking fed up with dad and his Rock n Roll. She sat through the film and when it finished wanted to know where she could get a copy and what it was called. I think this says it all, the pulling power of this film. Excellent, but please release it soon.

I find it hard to believe there is no market for either a VHS or DVD of American Hot Wax. Although I'm 60, and not a rock n' roller, I found this to be a movie that could be enjoyed over and over. The music and the realization that this music oppression did occur is excellent viewing. Hopefully I won't have to buy one of the pirate copies that are floating around.

American Hot Wax is the best movie of how it all started with Alan Freed portrayed so well. The music was great& the actors also. This is one of my all-time favorite movies,I can see it over &over, my problem is I can't find it anywhere. I'd love to own this masterpiece, maybe someday

First of all, I echo all the other reviewers who are incredulous at the omission of this film on DVD! While taking a few liberties with the facts, the representation of Alan Freed(masterfully played by The late Tim McIntyre)is for the most part on the mark. The side plots range from funny to poignant(the romance between Jay Leno & Fran Drescher and Laraine Newman as a teenage songwriter), and the music is incredible! Check out Kenny Vance & the Planotones doing "Come Go With Me", and "The Chesterfields", with James Taylor backup vocalist Arnold McCullers doing Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers! Let's not leave out two of the fathers of Rock & Roll...Chuck Berry & Jerry Lee Lewis in all their glory! Tons of references to other music of the era, with glimpses of life in radio in the 50s, and a look at the making of a hit record in the studio! This is a great little film!

I had seen this movie on T.V. a couple of times and just love it. Though it has been a long time since it has ever been on cable t.v and therefore it would be fantastic for it to be available on DVD. I like the music and the history of Rock and Roll and this movie displays just that.

AMERICAN HOT WAX IS A GREAT VIDEO IF YOU ARE A TRUE ROCK-N-ROLL FAN. TOO MANY PEOPLE IGNORE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF DJ'S SUCH AS ALAN FREED. I PLAY IN AN OLDIES BAND, AND TO A MAN, WE ALL LOVE THIS VIDEO. I ALSO TEACH U.S. HISTORY IN HIGH SCHOOL AND YOU CAN BET THAT WE WATCH AMERICAN HOT WAX WHEN WE GET TO THE DECADE OF THE 50'S.

Out of the two movies made about Alan Freed (the 1999 TV-movie "Mr. Rock'n'Roll, The Alan Freed Story" being pure trash in my opinion) this one captures the spirit of the '50's era, when Rock'n'Roll music was still young. Portraying one week in the life of Alan Freed as he attempts to put on a First Anniversary Concert at the Brooklyn Paramount and gets hassled and harrassed by city officials and record companies alike,the movie recreates the delightful music of the times, including memorable performances by Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Jay Leno and Fran Drescher, then unknowns at the time this movie was released, are a delight to watch. The late Tim McIntire gives a stellar performance as Alan Freed,the best portrayal I've seen yet. While there are some fictional characters in this motion picture (Larraine Newman as "Teenage Louise")and some facts are historically inaccurate, the movie is still a pleasure to watch, alot of fun. I definitely recommend it.

I saw this movie in vhs in 1988 in England, but 10 years before i bought the soundtrack in USA. The only music that i love is rock n'roll and in this movie the jerry lewis' performance were like to have a eletric flash inside me.
I love to have this movie on vhs because i live in Europe and maybe i will have some problem with dvd.

Forever rock n' roll

Probably in the top 2 in movies about the transition of music in the late 1950's to the '60's.Very well done,soundtrack is great.
But this is avavailble on dvd elsewhere,but too much $$$$$