Customer Reviews

FM

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Though it was not necessarily a big box office hit when it was released in the spring of 1978, FM does remain something of a cult favorite--not only for the wall-to-wall soundtrack of what were then Top 40 favorites and are now classic rock radio staples, but also because at least some of what it shows has come to pass with respect to the radio business.

The film chronicles the fictitious L.A. radio station QSKY, whose program director (Michael Brandon), along with a staff of wild and crazy DJs (Martin Mull; Cassie Yates; Alex Karras; Eileen Brennan) has made the station the #1 radio station in the nation's second biggest media market by playing the best music with as little commercial interruptions as is humanly possible. But all this success has got "the boys upstairs" thinking that the station could make even more money by cutting down the music and ratcheting up the corporate way of thinking; in this case, it would be placing ads for the U.S. Army in-between bursts of Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs, and more. The pressure finally gets to Brandon and his merry crew, until they instigate a strike that nearly erupts into a riot.

Though it is hardly the stuff that cinematic masterpieces are made of, and its similarity to the later CBS-TV show "WKRP In Cincinnati" is rather coincidental (the TV show's plot being shot while the film was being made), FM still stands out as a sort of classic rock answer, at least in soundtrack terms, to the disco onslaught of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER. Also, the idea of a radio station's on-air staff and program director rallying against excess on-air commercialization in which the music is merely the filler between efforts to part listeners from their hard-earned money has to a certain extent come true in the last few years, as big media giants like Clear Channel keep chewing up the landscape for their own financial and political gain.

The film is notable also for a few other things. It is the only feature film directed by John A. Alonzo, better known as one of Hollywood's great cinematographers, whose credits include SCARFACE, CHINATOWN, BLACK SUNDAY, and parts of Steven Spielberg's CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND. And besides having a killer soundtrack, it also sports concert footage of Jimmy Buffett (a.k.a. "Mr. Margaritaville") doing "Livingston Saturday Night", and Linda Ronstadt doing "Tumbling Dice", "Poor, Poor, Pitiful Me", and even Elvis' 1956 classic "Love Me Tender" (the concert footage was taken from Linda's performance in Houston on her SIMPLE DREAMS tour shortly after the King's passing in August 1977).

Even if only seen as a time capsule depiction of L.A. in the late 1970s, FM stands up as a look at what radio was like before MTV, Clear Channel, and over-commercialization caused it to rot. Alternately seriocomic and dramatic, with a very likeable cast, it is well worth seeing.

This is a classic film that possibly inspired TV's WKRP. Unlike some films, it is chock full of notable music and artists. The atmosphere is a throwback to simplier times. I first saw this film back in 1988 when i was in high school. I thought it was pretty good. Too bad I wasn't old enough to go that Jimmy Buffett concert. The one thing I love about this movie is that it is put into mini storylines. That is what makes this movie interesting and unique. Martin Mull is likeable as Eric Swan, the station's self-centered DJ. If you watch closely, you'll notice some of the smiliar traits that the DJs have with the WKRP DJs (Jeff Dugan=Andy Travis, Eric Swan=Dr. Johnny Fever, Prince of Darkness=Venus Flytrap, Bobby Douglas=Bailey Quarters). Give this one a try. It will really take you back.

this movie will take you back to when rock music came into being.. it takes me back to when i was in late elementary-early jr. high school listing to my little am radio that would sit in the palm of my hand. music like the EAGLES and STEELY DAN, are really timless. if you look in the background, notice all the posters of the then really poupular musicians.. its a real precious little time-capsul that will take you back to when music wasnt gothic,or grunge. give it a try, and reminice where you were in the 70's at that time.. to bad we cant go back to some of the concerts they show. the buffet concert would have been wild!

"FM" is a fun, light-weight, movie comedy for anyone who has an interest in radio or late '70s rock n'roll in general. The film has arguably been regarded by it's fans as the template or inspiration for the classic CBS TV sitcom, "WKRP in Cincinnati".This episodic movie takes place in late 1970's L.A. at the offices and studios of Q-Sky, the #1 radio station in the area. It's hilariously, presided over by manager, Jeff Dugan (a likable Michael Brandon),who's main job seems to be keeping in line, the crazy DJs and other personnel, who make up the station's looney, staff.These folks are constantly getting themselves into trouble both on and off the air. They include Mother (Eileen Brennan) a burned out hippie, who wants to chuck it all, Eric Swann (Martin Mull)a pompas idiot, who will do anything to further his career, The Prince (Cleavon Little), the hip black dude of the bunch and finally Doc (Alex Karras), a suicidal cowboy. The main plot centers on how Jeff and the gang fight to keep the evil account executive and the station owner from oversaturating the station's airwaves with wall to wall ads for the U.S. Army.Yes, the plotline is sort of silly and dated.But put on your average FM station today and you'll find that the movie's premise has pretty much come true.The air waves are mostly ads with a little bit of music squeezed in. Highlights of this film include excellent,live '70s era, in-concert appearances by music artists, Linda Ronstadt ("Tumbling Dice" "Poor Pitiful Me") and Jimmy Buffett ("Livingston Saturday Night"). If you are a fan of either of these performers then you will relish this concert footage. Also look for a brief cameo from rocker, Tom Petty.Finally listen for the film's great classic rock soundtrack which includes '70s staples such as Steely Dan, Bob Seger, Boston, Billy Joel, the Doobie Brothers and much more.For an evening of light-hearted comedy I highly recommend "FM".

Another quality DVD release from Anchor Bay!!! You get both full and widescreen versions on one dual layered DVD!!! plus a theatrical trailer!!! And the quality is superb!!! This DVD is far superior than the VHS!!! And the songs sound awesome in 5.1 sound!!! A true seventies classic!!! Five Stars!!! A+

As most folks know, FM served as the inspiration for the later, greater television series WKRP IN CINCINNATI. Almost all the characters here have a counterpoint on the show and even look alike in some cases (the resemblance between Michael Brandon and Gary Sandy, for instance, is remarkable). On its own FM is a serviceable little vehicle to showcase some truly wonderful pop-rock tunes from the mid to late 1970's, including Steely Dan's glorious title song. The plot is perfunctory at best: a maverick radio DJ and programming director (Brandon) refuses to give into corporate pressure to air jingoistic ads for the military on his station; by the end of the picture he and his co-horts have barricaded themselves in the station to protest and incite a minor riot.

The plot is just an excuse for some very good concert footage featuring Jimmy Buffet and, especially, Linda Ronstadt. Tom Petty and Reo Speedwagon also make appearances. There are also some good character vignettes here too. While Brandon is rather non-descript in his leading role, Martin Mull stands out as Eric Swann, a flashy, hip, slick tune-spinner who shows some surprising vulnerability, and Eileen Brennan has a nice moment too as a burnt out DJ pondering her future, as Dan Fogelberg's lovely song "There's a Place in the World for a Gambler" swells behind her.

I like the look of the movie very much. Famed cinematographer John A. Alonzo, making his directorial debut, gives the movie the nice, sunny, green-and-caramel hues of the late 1970's without ever making it seem dated. But it is the soundtrack that makes this one worthwhile.

The movie adds up to little more than light and breezy amusement and is strictly for the nostalgically inclined.

The film is a lot of fun, but the best thing is the music. Linda Ronstadt and Jimmy Buffett make concert appearances, and Tom Petty has a cameo. Also features music from Eagles, Steely Dan, Queen and others. If you miss AOR you'll appreciate 'FM'.

Based on the rivalry between Los Angeles radio stations KMET and KLOS, this movie is the perfect representation of life at a radio station in the late 70's, and a must-have if you're the least bit into radio. It also has one of the best soundtracks around.

That being said, have the sellers of this flick lost their everlovin' minds!?! A hundred sixty-six bucks for a movie I found in the five dollar bin at Wal-Mart!?! A DVD with practically no extras whatsoever!?! I'm as big a fan of this movie as you're likely to find, but give me a freakin' break! The only thing you vultures are doing is driving folks to the bootleggers!

Somebody please tell me it's a glitch and that decimal point is supposed to be one spot to the left.

Which starred Norfolk St.'s Tim Reid.
Mike Brandon, Eileen Brennan and Mar-
tin Mull star in station fighting the
implementation of too mcuh commer-
cialism (and commercials!) onto their
play list. Only thing that could have
made this better would have been an
appearance by Cheap Trick! Or Boston!

This feels like a period piece, set in 1977-1978, except it was filmed at the time, so everything is perfect. It is as if they knew at the time that this was final chapter in a period of artistic freedom in FM radio before corporations turned it into a purely commercial affair, with pre-programmed playlists. Ironically, most of the musical material became commercially successful staples of classic rock radio, but at the time Top 40/Pop was disco 24/7. Rock was played mostly on FM stations and rock radio was still coming out of the underground. Stations like KSAN in the bay area allowed DJ's to program their own shows. The could play an album side, or play deeper or longer tracks. They could talk to the audience as long as they wanted, so long as they kept ratings relatively high. It was still commercial, but commercials were played less often, as most commercials gravitated toward Top 40 and AM radio.

The acting is not the best, but everyone plays it cool and as natural as possible. You can almost smell the herbal cigarettes. The clothes are great, too. The casual vibe will make you want to go back in time to this simpler era. Plus, the live performances by Linda Rondstadt and Jimmy Buffet fuse wonderfully into the plot, as shows the characters themselves attend. The effect is seamless and makes you feel like you are real rock music insider, going back stage, meeting the performers as the sit around the station, or sit alongside them as they autograph their albums at Tower Records.

For any classic rock music fan, this movie is IT. Must have. That said, I would refuse to pay these exorbitant prices for the DVD. Get on VHS or wait for it play on cable TV, which does from time to time. It WAS released a while back on DVD, so I'm not sure I understand why it is not still in circulation. I will continue to keep it on my wish list until it gets re-released, hopefully on Blu-Ray someday soon. Great flick.