The Idolmaker
Encyclopedia
The Idolmaker is a 1980 American musical
drama
starring Ray Sharkey
, Peter Gallagher
, Paul Land
, Tovah Feldshuh
and Joe Pantoliano
.
The film is based on the life of rock promoter and manager Bob Marcucci
, who discovered and promoted several rock 'n' roll stars including Frankie Avalon
and Fabian
. Bob Marucci served as a technical advisor
for the production. It was the directorial debut for Taylor Hackford
(An Officer and a Gentleman
, Blood In Blood Out
, The Devil's Advocate
, Ray
) and written by Edward Di Lorenzo (Miami Vice
series). It was the feature film debut for Peter Gallagher, Joe Pantoliano, and Paul Land.
plays Vincent Vacari, a songwriter/manager, driven by his desire to discover the next big act. After watching the band play at a local club, Vinnie approaches Tomaso DeLorusso (Paul Land
), a popular and talented saxophone player, and convinces him to trade his instrument for a microphone. Following some months under Vinnie's guidance, "Tommy Dee" becomes a rock 'n' roll sensation.
Following on from his success with Tommy Dee, Vinnie prepares another act in the form of Guido (Peter Gallagher
), a local busboy
. With even more gusto and singlemindedness, Vinnie embarks on a destructive journey to control every aspect of his new act's image.
Despite Vinnie's obvious flair for idolmaking, his girlfriend Brenda (Tovah Feldshuh
) is concerned that his obsession is destroying everyone around him, including himself.
and choreography
by Deney Terrio
.
Music Supervisor: Richard Flanzer
Track listing for the soundtrack
The Idolmaker is a 1980 American musical
drama
starring Ray Sharkey
, Peter Gallagher
, Paul Land
, Tovah Feldshuh
and Joe Pantoliano
.
The film is based on the life of rock promoter and manager Bob Marcucci
, who discovered and promoted several rock 'n' roll stars including Frankie Avalon
and Fabian
. Bob Marucci served as a technical advisor
for the production. It was the directorial debut for Taylor Hackford
(An Officer and a Gentleman
, Blood In Blood Out
, The Devil's Advocate
, Ray
) and written by Edward Di Lorenzo (Miami Vice
series). It was the feature film debut for Peter Gallagher, Joe Pantoliano, and Paul Land.
plays Vincent Vacari, a songwriter/manager, driven by his desire to discover the next big act. After watching the band play at a local club, Vinnie approaches Tomaso DeLorusso (Paul Land
), a popular and talented saxophone player, and convinces him to trade his instrument for a microphone. Following some months under Vinnie's guidance, "Tommy Dee" becomes a rock 'n' roll sensation.
Following on from his success with Tommy Dee, Vinnie prepares another act in the form of Guido (Peter Gallagher
), a local busboy
. With even more gusto and singlemindedness, Vinnie embarks on a destructive journey to control every aspect of his new act's image.
Despite Vinnie's obvious flair for idolmaking, his girlfriend Brenda (Tovah Feldshuh
) is concerned that his obsession is destroying everyone around him, including himself.
and choreography
by Deney Terrio
.
Music Supervisor: Richard Flanzer
Track listing for the soundtrack
The Idolmaker is a 1980 American musical
drama
starring Ray Sharkey
, Peter Gallagher
, Paul Land
, Tovah Feldshuh
and Joe Pantoliano
.
The film is based on the life of rock promoter and manager Bob Marcucci
, who discovered and promoted several rock 'n' roll stars including Frankie Avalon
and Fabian
. Bob Marucci served as a technical advisor
for the production. It was the directorial debut for Taylor Hackford
(An Officer and a Gentleman
, Blood In Blood Out
, The Devil's Advocate
, Ray
) and written by Edward Di Lorenzo (Miami Vice
series). It was the feature film debut for Peter Gallagher, Joe Pantoliano, and Paul Land.
plays Vincent Vacari, a songwriter/manager, driven by his desire to discover the next big act. After watching the band play at a local club, Vinnie approaches Tomaso DeLorusso (Paul Land
), a popular and talented saxophone player, and convinces him to trade his instrument for a microphone. Following some months under Vinnie's guidance, "Tommy Dee" becomes a rock 'n' roll sensation.
Following on from his success with Tommy Dee, Vinnie prepares another act in the form of Guido (Peter Gallagher
), a local busboy
. With even more gusto and singlemindedness, Vinnie embarks on a destructive journey to control every aspect of his new act's image.
Despite Vinnie's obvious flair for idolmaking, his girlfriend Brenda (Tovah Feldshuh
) is concerned that his obsession is destroying everyone around him, including himself.
and choreography
by Deney Terrio
.
Music Supervisor: Richard Flanzer
Track listing for the soundtrack
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
starring Ray Sharkey
Ray Sharkey
Raymond "Ray" Sharkey, Jr. was an American actor best known for his role as Sonny Steelgrave in the television series Wiseguy.-Early life and career:...
, Peter Gallagher
Peter Gallagher
Peter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
, Paul Land
Paul Land
Paul Calandrillo , better known as Paul Land, was an American actor who appeared in the movies Spring Break and The Idolmaker. He left acting in the early 1990s to start his own successful construction business in New Jersey under his real name Paul Calandrillo...
, Tovah Feldshuh
Tovah Feldshuh
Tovah Feldshuh is an American actress, singer and playwright.-Early life:Terri Sue Feldshuh was born to a Jewish family in New York City, the daughter of Lillian and Sidney Feldshuh, who was a lawyer. She was raised in Scarsdale, New York, an affluent community in Westchester County and graduated...
and Joe Pantoliano
Joe Pantoliano
Joseph Peter "Joe" Pantoliano is an American film and television actor. He played the character of Ralph Cifaretto on The Sopranos, Bob Keane in La Bamba, Cypher in The Matrix, Teddy in Memento, Francis Fratelli in The Goonies, Guido "the Killer Pimp" in Risky Business, and Jennifer Tilly's...
.
The film is based on the life of rock promoter and manager Bob Marcucci
Bob Marcucci
Robert Phillip "Bob" Marcucci was a personal manager at Chancellor Records and Robert P. Marcucci Productions. He discovered and managed the careers of Fabian and Frankie Avalon, amongst others...
, who discovered and promoted several rock 'n' roll stars including Frankie Avalon
Frankie Avalon
Frankie Avalon is an American actor, singer, playwright, and former teen idol.-Career:By the time he was 12, Avalon was on U.S. television playing his trumpet. As a teenager he played with Bobby Rydell in Rocco and the Saints...
and Fabian
Fabian (entertainer)
Fabiano Anthony Forte , known as Fabian, is an American teen idol of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He rose to national prominence after performing several times on American Bandstand. Eleven of his songs reached the Billboard Hot 100 listing.-Early life:Fabian was the son of Josephine and Domenic...
. Bob Marucci served as a technical advisor
Technical advisor
A technical advisor is an individual who is expert in a particular field of knowledge, hired to provide detailed information and advice to people working in that field...
for the production. It was the directorial debut for Taylor Hackford
Taylor Hackford
Taylor Edwin Hackford is an American film director, and the current president of the Directors Guild of America.-Early life:Hackford was born in Santa Barbara, California, the son of Mary , a waitress, and Joseph Hackford...
(An Officer and a Gentleman
An Officer and a Gentleman
A Officer and a Gentleman is a 1982 American drama film that tells the story of a U.S. Navy aviation officer candidate who comes into conflict with the Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who trains him. It was written by Douglas Day Stewart and directed by Taylor Hackford...
, Blood In Blood Out
Blood in Blood out
Blood In Blood Out is a 1993 crime-drama film directed by Taylor Hackford. It follows the intertwining lives of the three Chicano relatives, Miklo , Cruz and Paco from 1972 to the mid 1980s...
, The Devil's Advocate
The Devil's Advocate (film)
The Devil's Advocate is a 1997 American horror film directed by Taylor Hackford starring Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino and Charlize Theron, and based on a novel by Andrew Neiderman....
, Ray
Ray (film)
Ray is a 2004 biographical film focusing on 30 years of the life of rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles. The independently produced film was directed by Taylor Hackford and starred Jamie Foxx in the title role; Foxx received an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance.Charles was set to...
) and written by Edward Di Lorenzo (Miami Vice
Miami Vice
Miami Vice is an American television series produced by Michael Mann for NBC. The series starred Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as two Metro-Dade Police Department detectives working undercover in Miami. It ran for five seasons on NBC from 1984–1989...
series). It was the feature film debut for Peter Gallagher, Joe Pantoliano, and Paul Land.
Plot
Ray SharkeyRay Sharkey
Raymond "Ray" Sharkey, Jr. was an American actor best known for his role as Sonny Steelgrave in the television series Wiseguy.-Early life and career:...
plays Vincent Vacari, a songwriter/manager, driven by his desire to discover the next big act. After watching the band play at a local club, Vinnie approaches Tomaso DeLorusso (Paul Land
Paul Land
Paul Calandrillo , better known as Paul Land, was an American actor who appeared in the movies Spring Break and The Idolmaker. He left acting in the early 1990s to start his own successful construction business in New Jersey under his real name Paul Calandrillo...
), a popular and talented saxophone player, and convinces him to trade his instrument for a microphone. Following some months under Vinnie's guidance, "Tommy Dee" becomes a rock 'n' roll sensation.
Following on from his success with Tommy Dee, Vinnie prepares another act in the form of Guido (Peter Gallagher
Peter Gallagher
Peter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
), a local busboy
Busboy
Busser, busboy and busgirl are terms used in the United States for someone who works in the restaurant and catering industry clearing tables, taking dirty dishes to the dishwasher, setting tables and otherwise assisting the waiting staff....
. With even more gusto and singlemindedness, Vinnie embarks on a destructive journey to control every aspect of his new act's image.
Despite Vinnie's obvious flair for idolmaking, his girlfriend Brenda (Tovah Feldshuh
Tovah Feldshuh
Tovah Feldshuh is an American actress, singer and playwright.-Early life:Terri Sue Feldshuh was born to a Jewish family in New York City, the daughter of Lillian and Sidney Feldshuh, who was a lawyer. She was raised in Scarsdale, New York, an affluent community in Westchester County and graduated...
) is concerned that his obsession is destroying everyone around him, including himself.
Cast
- Ray SharkeyRay SharkeyRaymond "Ray" Sharkey, Jr. was an American actor best known for his role as Sonny Steelgrave in the television series Wiseguy.-Early life and career:...
as Vincent 'Vinnie' Vacarri - Peter GallagherPeter GallagherPeter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
as Guido/Caesare - Tovah FeldshuhTovah FeldshuhTovah Feldshuh is an American actress, singer and playwright.-Early life:Terri Sue Feldshuh was born to a Jewish family in New York City, the daughter of Lillian and Sidney Feldshuh, who was a lawyer. She was raised in Scarsdale, New York, an affluent community in Westchester County and graduated...
as Brenda Roberts - Joe PantolianoJoe PantolianoJoseph Peter "Joe" Pantoliano is an American film and television actor. He played the character of Ralph Cifaretto on The Sopranos, Bob Keane in La Bamba, Cypher in The Matrix, Teddy in Memento, Francis Fratelli in The Goonies, Guido "the Killer Pimp" in Risky Business, and Jennifer Tilly's...
as Gino "G.G." Pilato - Paul LandPaul LandPaul Calandrillo , better known as Paul Land, was an American actor who appeared in the movies Spring Break and The Idolmaker. He left acting in the early 1990s to start his own successful construction business in New Jersey under his real name Paul Calandrillo...
as Tommy Dee - Maureen McCormickMaureen McCormickMaureen Denise McCormick is an American actress, celebrity and recording artist. She is most widely known as a child actress who played Marcia Brady in the television series The Brady Bunch from 1969 to 1974.- Early life and career :...
as Ellen Fields - Olympia DukakisOlympia DukakisOlympia Dukakis is an American actress. In 1987, she won an Academy Award, BAFTA, and a Golden Globe for her performance in Moonstruck...
as Mrs. Vacarri - John ApreaJohn ApreaJohn Aprea is an American actor, known for his role as "Young Sal Tessio" in The Godfather: Part II and on television as "Lucas Castigliano" on the soap opera Another World, from 1989 to 1992. As of 2006, he is currently filming a new soap opera in Southern California called, "The Heiress", which...
as Pani Vacarri
Soundtrack
The film features an original music score by Jeff BarryJeff Barry
Jeff Barry is an American pop music songwriter, singer, and record producer.-Early career:...
and choreography
Choreography
Choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the design itself, which is sometimes expressed by means of dance notation. The word choreography literally means "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" ...
by Deney Terrio
Deney Terrio
Denis George Mahan , better known as Deney Terrio, is an American choreographer, former film actor and one-time host of the television musical variety series Dance Fever from 1979 to 1985...
.
Music Supervisor: Richard Flanzer
Track listing for the soundtrack
- Here Is My Love (Jesse FrederickJesse FrederickJesse Frederick is a film and television composer best known for writing and performing the themes to popular television shows such as Perfect Strangers, Full House, Family Matters, and Step By Step.-Early years:...
) - Ooo-Wee Baby (Darlene LoveDarlene LoveDarlene Love is an American popular music singer and actress. She gained prominence in the 1960s for the song "He's a Rebel," a #1 American single in 1962, and was part of the Phil Spector stable that produced a celebrated Christmas album in 1963....
) - Come And Get It (Nino TempoNino TempoNino Tempo is an American musician, singer, and actor.A musical prodigy, Nino Tempo learned to play the clarinet and the tenor saxophone as a child. He was a talent show winner at four years of age and appeared on television with Benny Goodman at seven...
) - Sweet Little Lover (Jesse FrederickJesse FrederickJesse Frederick is a film and television composer best known for writing and performing the themes to popular television shows such as Perfect Strangers, Full House, Family Matters, and Step By Step.-Early years:...
) - I Can't Tell (Colleen Fitzpatrick)
- However Dark The Night (Peter GallagherPeter GallagherPeter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
) - Baby (Peter GallagherPeter GallagherPeter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
) - I Know Where You're Going (Nino TempoNino TempoNino Tempo is an American musician, singer, and actor.A musical prodigy, Nino Tempo learned to play the clarinet and the tenor saxophone as a child. He was a talent show winner at four years of age and appeared on television with Benny Goodman at seven...
) - A Boy And A Girl (The Sweet Inspiration and The London Fog)
- I Believe It Can Be Done (Ray SharkeyRay SharkeyRaymond "Ray" Sharkey, Jr. was an American actor best known for his role as Sonny Steelgrave in the television series Wiseguy.-Early life and career:...
) - I Believe It Can Be Done Instrumental (Nino TempoNino TempoNino Tempo is an American musician, singer, and actor.A musical prodigy, Nino Tempo learned to play the clarinet and the tenor saxophone as a child. He was a talent show winner at four years of age and appeared on television with Benny Goodman at seven...
)
Golden Globes 1980, USA
| Award | Person | |
| Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy | Ray Sharkey Ray Sharkey Raymond "Ray" Sharkey, Jr. was an American actor best known for his role as Sonny Steelgrave in the television series Wiseguy.-Early life and career:... |
|
| Nominated: | ||
| Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture in a Musical/Comedy | Howard W. Koch Jr., Gene Kirkwood | |
The Idolmaker is a 1980 American musical
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
starring Ray Sharkey
Ray Sharkey
Raymond "Ray" Sharkey, Jr. was an American actor best known for his role as Sonny Steelgrave in the television series Wiseguy.-Early life and career:...
, Peter Gallagher
Peter Gallagher
Peter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
, Paul Land
Paul Land
Paul Calandrillo , better known as Paul Land, was an American actor who appeared in the movies Spring Break and The Idolmaker. He left acting in the early 1990s to start his own successful construction business in New Jersey under his real name Paul Calandrillo...
, Tovah Feldshuh
Tovah Feldshuh
Tovah Feldshuh is an American actress, singer and playwright.-Early life:Terri Sue Feldshuh was born to a Jewish family in New York City, the daughter of Lillian and Sidney Feldshuh, who was a lawyer. She was raised in Scarsdale, New York, an affluent community in Westchester County and graduated...
and Joe Pantoliano
Joe Pantoliano
Joseph Peter "Joe" Pantoliano is an American film and television actor. He played the character of Ralph Cifaretto on The Sopranos, Bob Keane in La Bamba, Cypher in The Matrix, Teddy in Memento, Francis Fratelli in The Goonies, Guido "the Killer Pimp" in Risky Business, and Jennifer Tilly's...
.
The film is based on the life of rock promoter and manager Bob Marcucci
Bob Marcucci
Robert Phillip "Bob" Marcucci was a personal manager at Chancellor Records and Robert P. Marcucci Productions. He discovered and managed the careers of Fabian and Frankie Avalon, amongst others...
, who discovered and promoted several rock 'n' roll stars including Frankie Avalon
Frankie Avalon
Frankie Avalon is an American actor, singer, playwright, and former teen idol.-Career:By the time he was 12, Avalon was on U.S. television playing his trumpet. As a teenager he played with Bobby Rydell in Rocco and the Saints...
and Fabian
Fabian (entertainer)
Fabiano Anthony Forte , known as Fabian, is an American teen idol of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He rose to national prominence after performing several times on American Bandstand. Eleven of his songs reached the Billboard Hot 100 listing.-Early life:Fabian was the son of Josephine and Domenic...
. Bob Marucci served as a technical advisor
Technical advisor
A technical advisor is an individual who is expert in a particular field of knowledge, hired to provide detailed information and advice to people working in that field...
for the production. It was the directorial debut for Taylor Hackford
Taylor Hackford
Taylor Edwin Hackford is an American film director, and the current president of the Directors Guild of America.-Early life:Hackford was born in Santa Barbara, California, the son of Mary , a waitress, and Joseph Hackford...
(An Officer and a Gentleman
An Officer and a Gentleman
A Officer and a Gentleman is a 1982 American drama film that tells the story of a U.S. Navy aviation officer candidate who comes into conflict with the Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who trains him. It was written by Douglas Day Stewart and directed by Taylor Hackford...
, Blood In Blood Out
Blood in Blood out
Blood In Blood Out is a 1993 crime-drama film directed by Taylor Hackford. It follows the intertwining lives of the three Chicano relatives, Miklo , Cruz and Paco from 1972 to the mid 1980s...
, The Devil's Advocate
The Devil's Advocate (film)
The Devil's Advocate is a 1997 American horror film directed by Taylor Hackford starring Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino and Charlize Theron, and based on a novel by Andrew Neiderman....
, Ray
Ray (film)
Ray is a 2004 biographical film focusing on 30 years of the life of rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles. The independently produced film was directed by Taylor Hackford and starred Jamie Foxx in the title role; Foxx received an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance.Charles was set to...
) and written by Edward Di Lorenzo (Miami Vice
Miami Vice
Miami Vice is an American television series produced by Michael Mann for NBC. The series starred Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as two Metro-Dade Police Department detectives working undercover in Miami. It ran for five seasons on NBC from 1984–1989...
series). It was the feature film debut for Peter Gallagher, Joe Pantoliano, and Paul Land.
Plot
Ray SharkeyRay Sharkey
Raymond "Ray" Sharkey, Jr. was an American actor best known for his role as Sonny Steelgrave in the television series Wiseguy.-Early life and career:...
plays Vincent Vacari, a songwriter/manager, driven by his desire to discover the next big act. After watching the band play at a local club, Vinnie approaches Tomaso DeLorusso (Paul Land
Paul Land
Paul Calandrillo , better known as Paul Land, was an American actor who appeared in the movies Spring Break and The Idolmaker. He left acting in the early 1990s to start his own successful construction business in New Jersey under his real name Paul Calandrillo...
), a popular and talented saxophone player, and convinces him to trade his instrument for a microphone. Following some months under Vinnie's guidance, "Tommy Dee" becomes a rock 'n' roll sensation.
Following on from his success with Tommy Dee, Vinnie prepares another act in the form of Guido (Peter Gallagher
Peter Gallagher
Peter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
), a local busboy
Busboy
Busser, busboy and busgirl are terms used in the United States for someone who works in the restaurant and catering industry clearing tables, taking dirty dishes to the dishwasher, setting tables and otherwise assisting the waiting staff....
. With even more gusto and singlemindedness, Vinnie embarks on a destructive journey to control every aspect of his new act's image.
Despite Vinnie's obvious flair for idolmaking, his girlfriend Brenda (Tovah Feldshuh
Tovah Feldshuh
Tovah Feldshuh is an American actress, singer and playwright.-Early life:Terri Sue Feldshuh was born to a Jewish family in New York City, the daughter of Lillian and Sidney Feldshuh, who was a lawyer. She was raised in Scarsdale, New York, an affluent community in Westchester County and graduated...
) is concerned that his obsession is destroying everyone around him, including himself.
Cast
- Ray SharkeyRay SharkeyRaymond "Ray" Sharkey, Jr. was an American actor best known for his role as Sonny Steelgrave in the television series Wiseguy.-Early life and career:...
as Vincent 'Vinnie' Vacarri - Peter GallagherPeter GallagherPeter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
as Guido/Caesare - Tovah FeldshuhTovah FeldshuhTovah Feldshuh is an American actress, singer and playwright.-Early life:Terri Sue Feldshuh was born to a Jewish family in New York City, the daughter of Lillian and Sidney Feldshuh, who was a lawyer. She was raised in Scarsdale, New York, an affluent community in Westchester County and graduated...
as Brenda Roberts - Joe PantolianoJoe PantolianoJoseph Peter "Joe" Pantoliano is an American film and television actor. He played the character of Ralph Cifaretto on The Sopranos, Bob Keane in La Bamba, Cypher in The Matrix, Teddy in Memento, Francis Fratelli in The Goonies, Guido "the Killer Pimp" in Risky Business, and Jennifer Tilly's...
as Gino "G.G." Pilato - Paul LandPaul LandPaul Calandrillo , better known as Paul Land, was an American actor who appeared in the movies Spring Break and The Idolmaker. He left acting in the early 1990s to start his own successful construction business in New Jersey under his real name Paul Calandrillo...
as Tommy Dee - Maureen McCormickMaureen McCormickMaureen Denise McCormick is an American actress, celebrity and recording artist. She is most widely known as a child actress who played Marcia Brady in the television series The Brady Bunch from 1969 to 1974.- Early life and career :...
as Ellen Fields - Olympia DukakisOlympia DukakisOlympia Dukakis is an American actress. In 1987, she won an Academy Award, BAFTA, and a Golden Globe for her performance in Moonstruck...
as Mrs. Vacarri - John ApreaJohn ApreaJohn Aprea is an American actor, known for his role as "Young Sal Tessio" in The Godfather: Part II and on television as "Lucas Castigliano" on the soap opera Another World, from 1989 to 1992. As of 2006, he is currently filming a new soap opera in Southern California called, "The Heiress", which...
as Pani Vacarri
Soundtrack
The film features an original music score by Jeff BarryJeff Barry
Jeff Barry is an American pop music songwriter, singer, and record producer.-Early career:...
and choreography
Choreography
Choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the design itself, which is sometimes expressed by means of dance notation. The word choreography literally means "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" ...
by Deney Terrio
Deney Terrio
Denis George Mahan , better known as Deney Terrio, is an American choreographer, former film actor and one-time host of the television musical variety series Dance Fever from 1979 to 1985...
.
Music Supervisor: Richard Flanzer
Track listing for the soundtrack
- Here Is My Love (Jesse FrederickJesse FrederickJesse Frederick is a film and television composer best known for writing and performing the themes to popular television shows such as Perfect Strangers, Full House, Family Matters, and Step By Step.-Early years:...
) - Ooo-Wee Baby (Darlene LoveDarlene LoveDarlene Love is an American popular music singer and actress. She gained prominence in the 1960s for the song "He's a Rebel," a #1 American single in 1962, and was part of the Phil Spector stable that produced a celebrated Christmas album in 1963....
) - Come And Get It (Nino TempoNino TempoNino Tempo is an American musician, singer, and actor.A musical prodigy, Nino Tempo learned to play the clarinet and the tenor saxophone as a child. He was a talent show winner at four years of age and appeared on television with Benny Goodman at seven...
) - Sweet Little Lover (Jesse FrederickJesse FrederickJesse Frederick is a film and television composer best known for writing and performing the themes to popular television shows such as Perfect Strangers, Full House, Family Matters, and Step By Step.-Early years:...
) - I Can't Tell (Colleen Fitzpatrick)
- However Dark The Night (Peter GallagherPeter GallagherPeter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
) - Baby (Peter GallagherPeter GallagherPeter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
) - I Know Where You're Going (Nino TempoNino TempoNino Tempo is an American musician, singer, and actor.A musical prodigy, Nino Tempo learned to play the clarinet and the tenor saxophone as a child. He was a talent show winner at four years of age and appeared on television with Benny Goodman at seven...
) - A Boy And A Girl (The Sweet Inspiration and The London Fog)
- I Believe It Can Be Done (Ray SharkeyRay SharkeyRaymond "Ray" Sharkey, Jr. was an American actor best known for his role as Sonny Steelgrave in the television series Wiseguy.-Early life and career:...
) - I Believe It Can Be Done Instrumental (Nino TempoNino TempoNino Tempo is an American musician, singer, and actor.A musical prodigy, Nino Tempo learned to play the clarinet and the tenor saxophone as a child. He was a talent show winner at four years of age and appeared on television with Benny Goodman at seven...
)
Golden Globes 1980, USA
| Award | Person | |
| Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy | Ray Sharkey Ray Sharkey Raymond "Ray" Sharkey, Jr. was an American actor best known for his role as Sonny Steelgrave in the television series Wiseguy.-Early life and career:... |
|
| Nominated: | ||
| Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture in a Musical/Comedy | Howard W. Koch Jr., Gene Kirkwood | |
The Idolmaker is a 1980 American musical
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
starring Ray Sharkey
Ray Sharkey
Raymond "Ray" Sharkey, Jr. was an American actor best known for his role as Sonny Steelgrave in the television series Wiseguy.-Early life and career:...
, Peter Gallagher
Peter Gallagher
Peter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
, Paul Land
Paul Land
Paul Calandrillo , better known as Paul Land, was an American actor who appeared in the movies Spring Break and The Idolmaker. He left acting in the early 1990s to start his own successful construction business in New Jersey under his real name Paul Calandrillo...
, Tovah Feldshuh
Tovah Feldshuh
Tovah Feldshuh is an American actress, singer and playwright.-Early life:Terri Sue Feldshuh was born to a Jewish family in New York City, the daughter of Lillian and Sidney Feldshuh, who was a lawyer. She was raised in Scarsdale, New York, an affluent community in Westchester County and graduated...
and Joe Pantoliano
Joe Pantoliano
Joseph Peter "Joe" Pantoliano is an American film and television actor. He played the character of Ralph Cifaretto on The Sopranos, Bob Keane in La Bamba, Cypher in The Matrix, Teddy in Memento, Francis Fratelli in The Goonies, Guido "the Killer Pimp" in Risky Business, and Jennifer Tilly's...
.
The film is based on the life of rock promoter and manager Bob Marcucci
Bob Marcucci
Robert Phillip "Bob" Marcucci was a personal manager at Chancellor Records and Robert P. Marcucci Productions. He discovered and managed the careers of Fabian and Frankie Avalon, amongst others...
, who discovered and promoted several rock 'n' roll stars including Frankie Avalon
Frankie Avalon
Frankie Avalon is an American actor, singer, playwright, and former teen idol.-Career:By the time he was 12, Avalon was on U.S. television playing his trumpet. As a teenager he played with Bobby Rydell in Rocco and the Saints...
and Fabian
Fabian (entertainer)
Fabiano Anthony Forte , known as Fabian, is an American teen idol of the late 1950s and early 1960s. He rose to national prominence after performing several times on American Bandstand. Eleven of his songs reached the Billboard Hot 100 listing.-Early life:Fabian was the son of Josephine and Domenic...
. Bob Marucci served as a technical advisor
Technical advisor
A technical advisor is an individual who is expert in a particular field of knowledge, hired to provide detailed information and advice to people working in that field...
for the production. It was the directorial debut for Taylor Hackford
Taylor Hackford
Taylor Edwin Hackford is an American film director, and the current president of the Directors Guild of America.-Early life:Hackford was born in Santa Barbara, California, the son of Mary , a waitress, and Joseph Hackford...
(An Officer and a Gentleman
An Officer and a Gentleman
A Officer and a Gentleman is a 1982 American drama film that tells the story of a U.S. Navy aviation officer candidate who comes into conflict with the Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant who trains him. It was written by Douglas Day Stewart and directed by Taylor Hackford...
, Blood In Blood Out
Blood in Blood out
Blood In Blood Out is a 1993 crime-drama film directed by Taylor Hackford. It follows the intertwining lives of the three Chicano relatives, Miklo , Cruz and Paco from 1972 to the mid 1980s...
, The Devil's Advocate
The Devil's Advocate (film)
The Devil's Advocate is a 1997 American horror film directed by Taylor Hackford starring Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino and Charlize Theron, and based on a novel by Andrew Neiderman....
, Ray
Ray (film)
Ray is a 2004 biographical film focusing on 30 years of the life of rhythm and blues musician Ray Charles. The independently produced film was directed by Taylor Hackford and starred Jamie Foxx in the title role; Foxx received an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance.Charles was set to...
) and written by Edward Di Lorenzo (Miami Vice
Miami Vice
Miami Vice is an American television series produced by Michael Mann for NBC. The series starred Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as two Metro-Dade Police Department detectives working undercover in Miami. It ran for five seasons on NBC from 1984–1989...
series). It was the feature film debut for Peter Gallagher, Joe Pantoliano, and Paul Land.
Plot
Ray SharkeyRay Sharkey
Raymond "Ray" Sharkey, Jr. was an American actor best known for his role as Sonny Steelgrave in the television series Wiseguy.-Early life and career:...
plays Vincent Vacari, a songwriter/manager, driven by his desire to discover the next big act. After watching the band play at a local club, Vinnie approaches Tomaso DeLorusso (Paul Land
Paul Land
Paul Calandrillo , better known as Paul Land, was an American actor who appeared in the movies Spring Break and The Idolmaker. He left acting in the early 1990s to start his own successful construction business in New Jersey under his real name Paul Calandrillo...
), a popular and talented saxophone player, and convinces him to trade his instrument for a microphone. Following some months under Vinnie's guidance, "Tommy Dee" becomes a rock 'n' roll sensation.
Following on from his success with Tommy Dee, Vinnie prepares another act in the form of Guido (Peter Gallagher
Peter Gallagher
Peter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
), a local busboy
Busboy
Busser, busboy and busgirl are terms used in the United States for someone who works in the restaurant and catering industry clearing tables, taking dirty dishes to the dishwasher, setting tables and otherwise assisting the waiting staff....
. With even more gusto and singlemindedness, Vinnie embarks on a destructive journey to control every aspect of his new act's image.
Despite Vinnie's obvious flair for idolmaking, his girlfriend Brenda (Tovah Feldshuh
Tovah Feldshuh
Tovah Feldshuh is an American actress, singer and playwright.-Early life:Terri Sue Feldshuh was born to a Jewish family in New York City, the daughter of Lillian and Sidney Feldshuh, who was a lawyer. She was raised in Scarsdale, New York, an affluent community in Westchester County and graduated...
) is concerned that his obsession is destroying everyone around him, including himself.
Cast
- Ray SharkeyRay SharkeyRaymond "Ray" Sharkey, Jr. was an American actor best known for his role as Sonny Steelgrave in the television series Wiseguy.-Early life and career:...
as Vincent 'Vinnie' Vacarri - Peter GallagherPeter GallagherPeter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
as Guido/Caesare - Tovah FeldshuhTovah FeldshuhTovah Feldshuh is an American actress, singer and playwright.-Early life:Terri Sue Feldshuh was born to a Jewish family in New York City, the daughter of Lillian and Sidney Feldshuh, who was a lawyer. She was raised in Scarsdale, New York, an affluent community in Westchester County and graduated...
as Brenda Roberts - Joe PantolianoJoe PantolianoJoseph Peter "Joe" Pantoliano is an American film and television actor. He played the character of Ralph Cifaretto on The Sopranos, Bob Keane in La Bamba, Cypher in The Matrix, Teddy in Memento, Francis Fratelli in The Goonies, Guido "the Killer Pimp" in Risky Business, and Jennifer Tilly's...
as Gino "G.G." Pilato - Paul LandPaul LandPaul Calandrillo , better known as Paul Land, was an American actor who appeared in the movies Spring Break and The Idolmaker. He left acting in the early 1990s to start his own successful construction business in New Jersey under his real name Paul Calandrillo...
as Tommy Dee - Maureen McCormickMaureen McCormickMaureen Denise McCormick is an American actress, celebrity and recording artist. She is most widely known as a child actress who played Marcia Brady in the television series The Brady Bunch from 1969 to 1974.- Early life and career :...
as Ellen Fields - Olympia DukakisOlympia DukakisOlympia Dukakis is an American actress. In 1987, she won an Academy Award, BAFTA, and a Golden Globe for her performance in Moonstruck...
as Mrs. Vacarri - John ApreaJohn ApreaJohn Aprea is an American actor, known for his role as "Young Sal Tessio" in The Godfather: Part II and on television as "Lucas Castigliano" on the soap opera Another World, from 1989 to 1992. As of 2006, he is currently filming a new soap opera in Southern California called, "The Heiress", which...
as Pani Vacarri
Soundtrack
The film features an original music score by Jeff BarryJeff Barry
Jeff Barry is an American pop music songwriter, singer, and record producer.-Early career:...
and choreography
Choreography
Choreography is the art of designing sequences of movements in which motion, form, or both are specified. Choreography may also refer to the design itself, which is sometimes expressed by means of dance notation. The word choreography literally means "dance-writing" from the Greek words "χορεία" ...
by Deney Terrio
Deney Terrio
Denis George Mahan , better known as Deney Terrio, is an American choreographer, former film actor and one-time host of the television musical variety series Dance Fever from 1979 to 1985...
.
Music Supervisor: Richard Flanzer
Track listing for the soundtrack
- Here Is My Love (Jesse FrederickJesse FrederickJesse Frederick is a film and television composer best known for writing and performing the themes to popular television shows such as Perfect Strangers, Full House, Family Matters, and Step By Step.-Early years:...
) - Ooo-Wee Baby (Darlene LoveDarlene LoveDarlene Love is an American popular music singer and actress. She gained prominence in the 1960s for the song "He's a Rebel," a #1 American single in 1962, and was part of the Phil Spector stable that produced a celebrated Christmas album in 1963....
) - Come And Get It (Nino TempoNino TempoNino Tempo is an American musician, singer, and actor.A musical prodigy, Nino Tempo learned to play the clarinet and the tenor saxophone as a child. He was a talent show winner at four years of age and appeared on television with Benny Goodman at seven...
) - Sweet Little Lover (Jesse FrederickJesse FrederickJesse Frederick is a film and television composer best known for writing and performing the themes to popular television shows such as Perfect Strangers, Full House, Family Matters, and Step By Step.-Early years:...
) - I Can't Tell (Colleen Fitzpatrick)
- However Dark The Night (Peter GallagherPeter GallagherPeter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
) - Baby (Peter GallagherPeter GallagherPeter Killian Gallagher is an American actor, musician and writer. Since 1980, Gallagher has played many roles in numerous Hollywood films. He starred as Sandy Cohen in the television drama series The O.C. from 2003 to 2007...
) - I Know Where You're Going (Nino TempoNino TempoNino Tempo is an American musician, singer, and actor.A musical prodigy, Nino Tempo learned to play the clarinet and the tenor saxophone as a child. He was a talent show winner at four years of age and appeared on television with Benny Goodman at seven...
) - A Boy And A Girl (The Sweet Inspiration and The London Fog)
- I Believe It Can Be Done (Ray SharkeyRay SharkeyRaymond "Ray" Sharkey, Jr. was an American actor best known for his role as Sonny Steelgrave in the television series Wiseguy.-Early life and career:...
) - I Believe It Can Be Done Instrumental (Nino TempoNino TempoNino Tempo is an American musician, singer, and actor.A musical prodigy, Nino Tempo learned to play the clarinet and the tenor saxophone as a child. He was a talent show winner at four years of age and appeared on television with Benny Goodman at seven...
)
Golden Globes 1980, USA
| Award | Person | |
| Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy | Ray Sharkey Ray Sharkey Raymond "Ray" Sharkey, Jr. was an American actor best known for his role as Sonny Steelgrave in the television series Wiseguy.-Early life and career:... |
|
| Nominated: | ||
| Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture in a Musical/Comedy | Howard W. Koch Jr., Gene Kirkwood | |