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IMDb > The Idolmaker (1980)

The Idolmaker (1980) More at IMDbPro »


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Overview

User Rating:
6.5/10   539 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 8% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writer:
Contact:
View company contact information for The Idolmaker on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 November 1980 (USA) more
Tagline:
He's got the look... He's got the talent... He's got the Idolmaker... He's got it all!
Plot:
Based on the life of rock promoter/producer Bob Marucci, who discovered, among others, Frankie Avalon and Fabian. | add synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
Won Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination more
NewsDesk:
User Comments:
One of a kind musical/drama more (23 total)

Cast

  (in credits order) (complete, awaiting verification)
Ray Sharkey ... Vincent 'Vinnie' Vacarri

Tovah Feldshuh ... Brenda Roberts

Peter Gallagher ... Caesare
Paul Land ... Tommy Dee

Joe Pantoliano ... Gino Pilato

Maureen McCormick ... Ellen Fields

John Aprea ... Pani Vacarri

Richard Bright ... Uncle Tony

Olympia Dukakis ... Mrs. Vacarri
Steve Peck ... Mr. Frank Vacarri (as Steven Apostlee Peck)
Leonard Gaines ... Luchetti
Deney Terrio ... Jerry Martin
Charles Guardino ... Jesse
Michael Mislove ... Ed Sharp
Kenneth O'Brien ... Walt Bennett
Michael Perotta ... Carlo
Sylvia Shemmell
Myrna Smith
Afreeka Trees
Owen C. Davis
Jamie Fallin
Larry Van Claggett
Jeffrey Tanner ... Delano
Renata Vanni
Howard Gordon ... Scapio
Tammy Alverson (as Tamy Alverson)
Frank Bunjic
Jed Brien
Jimmy Carter
Kim Corder
JoJo D'Amore (as Jo Jo D'Amore)
Cherie Felice
Mallie Jackson (as Malli Jackson)
Shelley Kirkwood
William Vincent Kulak

Anthony Marciona ... Gino
Buddy Micucci
Alan Muir
Tony Munafo
Don Munson
Margery Nelson
Jack Neville
Thorne Nogar

James Saito
Sam Shamshak
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Robert P. Marcucci ... New Jersey Heckler (uncredited)
Dean Rubin ... New Jersey Heckler (uncredited)
Nino Tempo ... Saxophone player (uncredited)
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Directed by
Taylor Hackford 
 
Writing credits
(in alphabetical order)
Edward Di Lorenzo  writer

Produced by
Gene Kirkwood .... producer
Hawk Koch .... producer (as Howard W. Koch Jr.)
R.J. Louis .... associate producer
David Nichols .... associate producer
 
Original Music by
Jeff Barry 
 
Cinematography by
Adam Holender 
 
Film Editing by
Neil Travis 
 
Art Direction by
David L. Snyder 
 
Set Decoration by
Barbara Krieger 
 
Costume Design by
Rita Riggs 
 
Makeup Department
Marvin G. Westmore .... makeup artist (as Marvin Westmore)
 
Production Management
R.J. Louis .... production manager
Bernie Styles .... production supervisor: New York
 
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Clifford C. Coleman .... assistant director
Hope R. Goodwin .... second assistant director (as Hope Goodwin)
 
Sound Department
Robert Glass .... dubbing mixer (as Bob Glass)
Petur Hliddal .... production sound mixer
Robert Knudson .... dubbing mixer (as Buzz Knudson)
Don MacDougall .... dubbing mixer
Clancy T. Troutman .... supervising sound editor
 
Special Effects by
Ralph Gervais .... special effects
Bob Trojan .... special effects
 
Camera and Electrical Department
David Goldner .... special stills
Ron Grover .... still photographer
Michael J. Schwartz .... electrician (uncredited)
 
Editorial Department
Steve Potter .... assistant editor
Arthur Schmidt .... assistant editor
 
Music Department
Gene N. Fowler .... assistant music editor
Joe Renzetti .... orchestrator
 
Transportation Department
Gene Clinesmith .... driver
 
Other crew
Judith Gill .... production coordinator
Dan Perri .... title designer: main titles
Barry Rosenbush .... production associate
Deney Terrio .... choreographer
 

Production CompaniesDistributorsOther Companies
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Additional Details

Runtime:
117 min | 119 min (TCM print)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Based on the career of Robert P. Marcucci ("Vincent 'Vinnie' Vacarri"), who discovered and managed Frankie Avalon ("Tommy Dee") and Fabian ("Caesare"). Vacarri's assistant ("Brenda Roberts") is based on Marcucci's real-life assistant at the time, Rona Barrett. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: When the "payola money" is exchanged, "Green Seal" Federal Reserve Notes are again seen. more
Quotes:
Vincent Vacarri: True sex comes from between your ears, not from between your legs. more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
7 out of 9 people found the following comment useful.
One of a kind musical/drama, 24 September 2004
7/10
Author: glentom1 from United States

I first saw this movie on HBO in 1981. At that time HBO only showed box office flops. The supposedly really good ones would not get on HBO for 3 or 4 years.

I just saw it again tonight, after 23 years, and I still enjoyed it. The music is great, the acting is great, and the plot is great.

What is there not to like about it? I tried watching Chicago in 2002, the academy award winner, and it was a piece of crap. It was a combination Alfred Hitchcock/Showboat/Singing in the Rain movie, that was a total flop in my opinion. I much more enjoyed this movie.

There are a few slow points in the movie, but they don't last for long. There is such energy and vivacity in this movie that it holds your attention as it builds up continually to the next "Idol."

The songs stick in your mind (at least in mine), but they are always "in the wings" of the Ray Sharkey character. For example, the first idol he made, Sharkey is shown off stage mimicking the singer's moves.

Anyway, it is a fun movie to watch, and one of a kind for its time, so I highly recommend it!

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