The Idolmaker is a 1980 American musical drama starring Ray Sharkey, Peter Gallagher, Paul Land, Tovah Feldshuh and Joe Pantoliano.
The Idolmaker | |
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Directed by | Taylor Hackford |
Written by | Edward di Lorenzo, Taylor Hackford (uncredited) |
Produced by | Gene Kirkwood Howard W. Koch Jr. |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Adam Holender |
Edited by | Neil Travis |
Music by | Jeff Barry |
Distributed by | United Artists |
Release date |
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Running time | 117 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $2,625,716[1] |
The film is loosely based on the life of rock promoter/producer Bob Marcucci who discovered, among others, Frankie Avalon and Fabian. Directed by Academy Award winning filmmaker Taylor Hackford and written by Edward di Lorenzo, The Idolmaker was the feature film debut of Peter Gallagher, Joe Pantoliano, and Paul Land. Bob Marcucci served as a technical advisor for the production.
Set in 1959, Vincent "Vinnie" Vacarri (Ray Sharkey), a Brooklyn-based songwriter pursues success in the fledgling rock 'n' roll music business, along with his best friend and piano accompanist Gino "G.G." Pilato (Joe Pantoliano). After being impressed by a charismatic local saxophone player, Tomaso DeLorusso (Paul Land), Vinnie convinces him to trade his instrument for a microphone and over the next few months, under Vinnie's strict guidance, the newly named "Tommy Dee" becomes a rock 'n' roll sensation.
Searching for continued success, Vinnie prepares another act in the form of Guido (Peter Gallagher), a local teen busboy, prompting a jealous and arrogant Tommy Dee to abandon him for a new manager. With even more gusto and single-mindedness, Vinnie embarks on a destructive journey to control every aspect of his new act's image.
Despite his obvious flair for creating teen idols, Vinnie's girlfriend, Brenda (Tovah Feldshuh), a successful teen magazine editor, is concerned that his obsession is destroying everyone around him, including himself.
Marcucci approached producer Gene Kirkwood with the idea for the film. In the original script, the singers were more sympathetic and the producer less so.[2]
The film features an original music score by Jeff Barry and choreography by Deney Terrio.
Chart (1981) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report)[3] | 37 |
On August 27, 2013, Shout! Factory released The Idolmaker on Blu-ray.[4]
Fabian Forte filed a $64 million lawsuit against the film, alleging defamation and invasion of privacy.[5] Forte, a teen idol of the late 1950s and early 1960s, had been managed by Bob Marcucci. Having served as the inspiration for the character of Guido/Caesare, Forte claimed the film made him look like "a totally manufactured singer, a mere pretty face without any singing ability or acting talent."[6] He went on to say they settled out of court, requiring he, his wife, and family receive apologies in The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, and Marcucci's 7.5% ownership of the film passed to Forte.[7]
In 2014, Variety reported that a remake of the film was in the works, with Craig Brewer to direct, and Justin Timberlake to produce (along with the two producers of the original film, Hawk Koch and Gene Kirkwood). The remake never materialized.[8]
Award | Person |
Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy | Ray Sharkey[9] |
Nominated: | |
Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture in a Musical/Comedy | Howard W. Koch Jr., Gene Kirkwood |
Preceded by | Golden Globes
Best Actor in a Comedy/Musical |
Succeeded by |
Films directed by Taylor Hackford | |
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