On I List of Movie Reviews

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The Idolmaker (1980)

Rate: 8
Viewed: 3/04, 12/21

12/21: Before the invention of Auto-Tune, there was The Idolmaker.

One needed the look and stage presence while the rest of everything else didn't matter. Well, that's not totally true. It would be a good idea not to have the baggage that came with Jerry Lee Lewis which killed his career during the 50's.

This time, The Idolmaker is mostly based on Frankie Avalon (who had talent) and Fabian (who had absolutely none). The former is Tommy Dee while the latter is Caesare. Pulling the strings is the promoter Vinnie Vacarri (Bob Marcucci in real life) who acts more like a slick salesman.

It's a well-made film with a strong performance by Ray Sharkey. Making their screen debuts just like Joe Pantoliano, Paul Land and Peter Gallagher are unforgettable. The story is absorbing, and of course, what Vinnie couldn't control is the human element. That's why Tommy Dee and Caesare ultimately grew out of him and moved on their own once they had their first taste of big-time success.

All in all, there have been a lot of rags-to-riches music pictures, and The Idolmaker is among the best of them.

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