About American Hot Wax
- Released on March 17, 1978
This is the story loosely based on Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed, who introduced rock'n'roll to teenage American radio audiences in the 1950s. Freed was a source of great controversy: criticized by conservatives for corrupting youth with the "devil's music"; hated by racists for promoting African American music for white consumption; persecuted by law enforcement officials and finally brought down by the "payola" scandals.
Full Cast of American Hot Wax
Tim McIntire plays Alan Freed
Fran Drescher plays Sheryl
Jay Leno plays Mookie
Laraine Newman plays Teenage Louise
Carl Weaver plays Member of The Chesterfields
Al Chalk plays Member of The Chesterfields
Sam Harkness plays Member of The Chesterfields
Arnold McCuller plays Member of The Chesterfields
Jeff Altman plays Lennie Richfield
Moosie Drier plays Artie Moress
John Lehne plays D.A. Coleman
Stewart Steinberg plays Stone
Jack Edward Ellis plays Phillips
Richard Forbes plays Donahue
Stephen Pearlman plays Peter Overmyer
Keene Curtis plays Mr. Leonard
Pat McNamara plays Gordie
Will Thornbury plays Sid
Hamilton Camp plays Louie Morgan
Chuck Berry plays Self
Jerry Lee Lewis plays Self
Screamin' Jay Hawkins plays Self
Charles Greene plays Chuck Otis
Kenny Vance plays Prof. La Plano
Joe Esposito plays Member of The Planotones
Bruce Sudano plays Member of The Planotones
Eddie Hokenson plays Member of The Planotones
Stephanie Spruill plays Member of The Delights
Joyce King plays Member of The Delights
Yolande Howard plays Member of The Delights
Brenda Russell plays Member of The Delights
Marion Perkins plays Artie's Mom
Matthew Tobin plays Artie's Dad
Bobby Johnson plays Tap Dancer
Harold 'Red' Keller plays Stage Manager
Elmer Valentine plays Union Man
Charles Irwin plays Member of Timmy and The Tangerines
Jeanne Sheffield plays Member of Timmy and The Tangerines
Andrea Robinson plays Girl Backstage
Gail Kantor plays Girl Backstage
Patricia Clinger plays Girl Backstage
Mark Diamond plays Stagehand
Al Maines plays Tap Dancer
Artie Ripp plays Artie
Mary Peters plays Big Red
Nora Denney plays Louise's Mom
Crew of American Hot Wax
Editing
Camera
Directing
Writing
Art
Costume & Make-Up
Production
- Tim McIntire
- Fran Drescher
- Jay Leno
- Laraine Newman
- Carl Weaver
- Al Chalk
- Sam Harkness
- Arnold McCuller
- Jeff Altman
- Moosie Drier
- John Lehne
- Stewart Steinberg
- Jack Edward Ellis
- Richard Forbes
- Stephen Pearlman
- Keene Curtis
- Pat McNamara
- Will Thornbury
- Hamilton Camp
- Chuck Berry
- Jerry Lee Lewis
- Screamin' Jay Hawkins
- Charles Greene
- Kenny Vance
- Joe Esposito
- Bruce Sudano
- Eddie Hokenson
- Stephanie Spruill
- Joyce King
- Yolande Howard
- Brenda Russell
- Marion Perkins
- Matthew Tobin
- Bobby Johnson
- Harold 'Red' Keller
- Elmer Valentine
- Charles Irwin
- Jeanne Sheffield
- Andrea Robinson
- Gail Kantor
- Patricia Clinger
- Mark Diamond
- Al Maines
- Artie Ripp
- Mary Peters
- Nora Denney