The Idolmaker

source: The Idolmaker

We loved this movie! I loved it years later and special ordered the soundtrack on vinyl. Now I'm trying to get it on cd. Impossible I think. Peter Gallagher was hot as "Fabian" and the music scenes were real, not Hollywood musical crap. This is a very moving film about a man who spends his life making the careers of others only to get left behind as they move up the food chain. Talented himself but didn't have "the look" that sold records. Ray Sharky died of aids yrs later, actually did some work while he had hiv and looked it. This is probably his best work. I have always been a movie buff (still dream of directing) and I can remember the Ebert and Roeper review of this film. It was their sleeper hit of the week. I remember if vividly because that's when I learned about the term "sleeper" referencing films. It was a 2 thumbs up and HBO played it constantly. HBO was limited back then and this was always on and we watched it every chance we could!

I saw this originally on cable in the early 1980's. Watching it again, I was struck by the excellence of the casting. Tovah Feldshuh, Olympia Dukakis, and Ray Sharkey are fantastic and make this a real gem. The musical sequences really hold up, especially a very over the top Peter Gallagher (shades of Adam Lambert). The songs are a pastiche of early 60's bubblegum, with a touch of the 80's. Watching it you might want the soundtrack, which unfortunately isn't out on CD. There is a brief cameo by the legendary "Sweet Sensations" and "The London Fog" as soul group "The Boys and The Girls", a nice touch. The moment Darlene Love starts to sing in the opening sequence, you will be hooked on a really fun period in American pop music. CC

This is one of those movies that has it all. Great (true) story, great plot, good acting. Ray Sharkey should have gotten a nomination for Best Actor. If you like music business, teen idol success stories, this is the definitive motion picture.

Slick, tuneful and utterly shallow musical-drama based on career of 1950s talent agent/music promoter Bob Marcucci, who discovered Frankie Avalon and Fabian. Ray Sharkey does wonders in the starring role, here masterminding the careers of two young men to the screaming sock-hop crowds, but getting only grief once the star eclipses the Svengali. Sharkey, arrogant, obnoxious and charismatic, bolsters the narrative, which ultimately feels a little sketchy. A fine soundtrack and supporting cast helps the movie over those dreary 3rd act pathos. Exhilarating moments. ** from ****

I just read the comments from My DarkStar and I absolutely agree. This is one of my favorite films of all time!! I saw this movie when I was a kid and i Have grown up watching it and listening to the soundtrack. It was directed by Taylor Hackford who recently directed 'Ray' another outstanding movie. You can actually see some of the techniques he used from 'The Idolmaker' in 'Ray'. The only thing that would make me even happier is to have the soundtrack of 'The Idolmaker'released on cd. If you haven't seen it yet, I advise you to check it out, it's not hard to find anymore. It is available on DVD. The songs are catchy and catch the feel of the time period. The choreography (by Denny Terrio) is a bit dated, but its still fun to watch. Also, it was reported about 2 or 3 years ago, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, was supposed to do a remake. It would of been interesting to see what would have become of it, but I'm sure it wouldn't have topped the original. Haven't heard any updates about it though. ENJOY!!!

This was such an engaging film, the more so because of it's basis in fact. I saw this first around 1981 or 82 on cable tv, which I recorded, but had stolen by a guest. I still have the audiocassette recording I made from the vinyl record and listen to it often. Recently, I obtained the DVD through Barnes and Noble (request services). All of the stage performances are riveting and they culminate in that spellbinding finale down in Tennessee. I too cannot fathom why it never hit the bigtime. If it were to be re-released in theaters today it could still be a minor hit.

This one's a movie I never was able to get tired of, so I finally purchased it online. The music is catchy and irresistible, the electrifying Ray Sharkey was at his usual best and, according to IMDb, this was Peter Gallagher's first movie. As Gallagher's various profiles indicate, he performed in a band early on, and whatever he drew from that makes him shine on stage in Idolmaker. Now he's releasing CD's of his singing and original songs - go figure. Obviously the late great Sharkey didn't invest that theatrical gene in Gallagher, but he and this movie can only have nourished and enhanced it. Sharkey truly was a tiger tiger burning bright and he never shone brighter than as the Idolmaker. Olympia Dukakis was perfect as the Idolmaker's mother. Color me surprised; that actress can do no wrong, in my opinion. The music in this film is a huge part of its charm, as has been said before. And it looks like more of the movie was choreographed than just the stage scenes and Vinnie's training of his would-be stars; the whole thing just ends up being served up as perfectly as a 5-star gourmet dinner.

On the heels of "Grease" (which created a brief wave of '50's nostalgia), but at the same basic time as "Can't Stop the Music" (which was a glitzy, ridiculous bust) this unusual semi-musical film made it's debut and sort of drifted into obscurity afterwards. The story showcases the exploits of Sharkey, a songwriter with drive and creativity to spare, who desperately wants success in the music business, but realizes that he doesn't have what it takes physically to make it. He plucks a slightly more attractive kid (Land) out of a local band and forges him into a singing sensation, planning each detail and exacting control over him. Once Land is solidly in place, Sharkey starts in with young Gallagher to repeat his success (partially to prove himself to his own father.) Feldshuh is a teen magazine editor who finds herself caught up in the hoopla of these prefab idols and in Sharkey's enthusiasm. The film has several things going for it, not the least of which is Sharkey's terrific performance. He is completely believable and compelling in the role, his charisma taking the story a long way. The always reliable Feldshuh (who recently made a minor splash in "Kissing Jessica Stein") is saddled with a pretty demeaning role, yet manages to get in a few decent moments. There are several moderately recognizable faces in the cast who do nice jobs (including a nearly unrecognizable Pantoliano.) Land, who showed promise in this film, somehow completely petered out shortly after, as did Pec, who makes an impression as Sharkey's mobster-like father. Gallagher (playing a 16-year-old at 25!) is also showcased to good effect, despite the occasional silliness of the material and a lot of make-up. What keeps the film from becoming fully satisfying is the limited period detail (mostly just some cars, a few poodle skirts and some fun knit tops and peg legged pants), the predictability of the story (a manager who creates stars and then loses them to their own ego is hardly a fresh concept!) and the sometimes disjointed flow of the script (ironically, this is due mostly to the decision to present the numbers intact....many viewers will appreciate this, but it leaves little room for characterization and connecting plot points.) Characters appear and disappear and have sudden changes of attitude. However, the film is not really deep enough to have allowed for a longer running time. Also, the numbers are more along the lines of the '80's than the early '60's. This doesn't mean they aren't entertaining....just not accurate. They are sort of early '60's song run through an early '80's filter. Adding to the camp factor are McCormick (trying to escape her "Brady" stigma as a tarty journalist) and Merv Griffin's favorite dancer Terrio as the choreographer of the decidedly un-'60's numbers. Despite Sharkey's romance with Feldshuh, there is a somewhat homoerotic feel to his obsession with the boys. Sadly, in real life, Sharkey died of AIDS in 1993. Director Hackford would later direct the blockbuster "An Officer and a Gentleman" which also dealt with life makeovers.

Since Broadway is turning (ha!) to movies as stage shows, just how long do we all think it will be before THE IDOLMAKER makes its way onto the boards, HAIRSPRAY style? A sort of Queer Eye For The Straight Film.... I predict this along with THE NIGHT THEY RAIDED MINSKYS as perfect fodder for a Broadway 'revival' or makeover. Royalties can be sent to me via the IMDb. In fact it is the male version of HAIRSPRAY, really, isn't it. Unless of course the 1977 musical drama about Alan Freed: American HOT WAX, gets a gig instead. Perfect 60s musical theatre on film as a real movie, THE IDOLMAKER is a very good production with excellent set pieces and songs...and with an exceptional Peter Gallagher as Fabian-ish teen heart throb CESARE long before his days on The OC. I actually thought THE IDOLMAKER was a gay musical and felt the Ray Sharkey character was quite obvious. Especially in the shaving foam scene. I guess the film went as far as it wanted to with his possibility and left it a bit ambiguous. Not a popular film in its day, THE IDOLMAKER should find a new and appreciative audience on DVD and later on Broadway as a stage musical instead. It deserves it.