The Idolmaker (1980)

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Average Rating: 6.4/10
Reviews Counted: 7
Fresh: 6 | Rotten: 1

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Critic Reviews: 1
Fresh: 1 | Rotten: 0

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Movie Info

The story of Philadelphia-based rock 'n' roll starmaker Bob Marcucci is given a pointed a clef treatment in The Idolmaker. Ray Sharkey plays Vincent Vacarri, who takes a couple of raw young kids (Peter Gallagher and Paul Land) and molds them into teen idols. If Gallagher and Land seem at times to be clones of Fabian and Frankie Avalon, then you've gotten the point. As played by Sharkey, Vacarri comes off as both maven and monster: he gives his boys everything they need professionally and

PG, 1 hr. 59 min.

Romance, Drama, Musical & Performing Arts

Directed By: Taylor Hackford

In Theaters: Nov 14, 1980 Wide

On DVD: Aug 15, 2001

Cast

Ray Sharkey
Vincent Vacarri
Paul Land
Tommy Dee
Olympia Dukakis
Mrs. Vacarri
Peter Gallagher
Caesare
Joe Pantoliano
Gino Pilato
Maureen McCormick
Ellen Fields
Tovah Feldshuh
Brenda Roberts
John Aprea
Paul Vacarri
Richard Bright
Uncle Tony
Steven Apostlee Peck
Mr. Vacarri
Leonard Gaines
Luchetti
Denny Terrio
Jerry Martin
Charles Guardino
Jesse
Michael Mislove
Ed Sharp
Kenneth W. O'Brien
Walt Bennett
James Saito
Barbara King
Penny Perry Davis

Critic Reviews for The Idolmaker

All Critics (9) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (1) | DVD (1)

Taylor Hackford showed his skills as a commercial director with his very first picture.

July 31, 2011 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

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Audience Reviews for The Idolmaker

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set in '61 but makes fun of 70s AM pop idols; Ray Sharkey, with his doughy mouth, plays it half cold Svengali, half sensitive child; ending number is such terrible shmaltz, it plants reservations about the whole movie, which has only escaped shmaltz by its brisk editing; the interesting song is a funkified one, "Boys &

June 26, 2009

Adam Mahler

Super Reviewer

I thought it was pretty cool. The songs were decent and I enjoyied watching such a driven character. My only gripe is that it ends in the "Hollywood" way.

July 15, 2009