Floyd Mutrux directs Tim McIntire, Fran Drescher and Jay Leno in this musical biopic of Alan Freed, the DJ who popularised Rock N Roll but became in embroiled in the PAYOLA scandal.

‘Biopic’ probably isn’t the correct word. We follow Freed through a fictionalised week at the peak of his fame. He is trying to organise a massive concert. He is pulled at from all sides. Fans want to meet him. Hopefuls want to audition in front of him. Promo and A&R men seek his favour. The authorities want to destroy him. And how they will is slowly drip fed to us as he makes his way from performance to business meeting to broadcasting booth. A closed off man, a near silent man. There’s an obvious sadness to him. It is a deep, patient central acting turn by Tim McIntire. We get the feeling we are experiencing exactly what it is like to be the calm centre of the counter cultural storm. His clothes are loud, his passion for music and youth are blatant yet he is just present. He makes a point of listening to the music he plays on the airwaves. He knows the kids can tell. Around him is an American Graffiti / I Wanna Hold Your Hand / Dazed and Confused of kids on the scene. Dreamers, songwriters, fans, the warring co-workers underneath him. Nobody’s story moves forward so much as happens. Swirls around him. Then the final act is that showstopping concert featuring Screamin’ Jaw Hawkins. The squares stoke a riot, Freed knows this is his swansong. The pressure piles on… the stakes are our future. Never available on any form of physical media this is a bit of a white whale for youth movie fans.

7

Perfect Double Bill: Talk Radio (1988)

I write regular features about live comedy for British Comedy Guide here https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/bobby_carroll/features/