FM (film)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

FM
Directed by John A. Alonzo
Produced by Rand Holston
Written by Erza Sacks
Starring Michael Brandon
Eileen Brennan
Alex Karras
Cleavon Little
Martin Mull
Distributed by Universal Studios
Release date(s) April 1978
Running time 104 min.
Language English
Budget N/A
IMDb profile

FM is a 1978 film directed by John A. Alonzo, and starring Michael Brandon, Eileen Brennan, Alex Karras and Cleavon Little. The screenplay was written by Ezra Sacks.

This film was produced by Universal Pictures, and originally released to movie theatres in 1978.

Contents

[edit] Plot summary

When a top rated radio station is getting pressured to put more emphasis on advertising than actual music, the disc jockeys form a united front against the "suits". With station manager Jeff Dugan's unofficial approval, the other employees hijack the station, playing the kind of music they like before the authorities can arrive. Martin Mull appears in his feature film debut as a zoned-out record spinner. He plays Eric Swan, a libidinous disc jockey with eyes for everyone female. The character is self centered, smarmy, quick tempered, and overbearingly insincere. During the course of the film, Swan beds a supposed girlfriend, encounters a female fan with a peculiar physical "gift", and barricades himself in due to a severe emotional breakdown, all within the confines of QSKY's studio.

Cleavon Little, as the Prince of Darkness shines as the voice of reason, playing the QSKY's overnight host.

In addition, the film includes live appearances by Linda Ronstadt, Jimmy Buffett, Tom Petty, and REO Speedwagon. Steely Dan perform the classic title theme, and Dan Fogelberg, Joe Walsh, Boz Scaggs and Queen also contributed soundtrack music. The film utilized such future hits as We Will Rock You (in a protest rally sequence) and Life's Been Good integrated into the plot.

[edit] Critics

Rolling Stone magazine considered the music heavily biased towards musicians who had been managed by Irving Azoff, who was head of MCA Records at the time. [1] and Keith Phipps of the Onion AV Club took issue with the premise. [2]

Nonetheless, the movie did make a point at highlighting the most successful and popular rock n roll acts of the era.

[edit] Main cast

[edit] Soundtrack

Main article: FM (soundtrack)

The original soundtrack to the film won the 1979 Grammy Award for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Marsh, Dave (1982). The New Rolling Stone Record Guide. New York: Random House, p. 590. 
  2. ^ Phipps, Keith (2002-03-29). Review of FM. The Onion AV Club. Retrieved on 2007-06-07.

[edit] External links

This 1970s drama film-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.