The Idolmaker

1980
PG
1h 57m

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

1.5K

YOUR RATING

Based on the life of rock promoter/producer Bob Marcucci, who discovered, among others, Frankie Avalon and Fabian.

Play trailer2:00

1 Video

30 Photos

Showbiz Drama Biography Drama Music Romance

Based on the life of rock promoter/producer Bob Marcucci, who discovered, among others, Frankie Avalon and Fabian.Based on the life of rock promoter/producer Bob Marcucci, who discovered, among others, Frankie Avalon and Fabian.Based on the life of rock promoter/producer Bob Marcucci, who discovered, among others, Frankie Avalon and Fabian.

Director
- Taylor Hackford
Writers
- Edward Di Lorenzo
- Taylor Hackford
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

1.5K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Taylor Hackford
Writers
- Edward Di Lorenzo
- Taylor Hackford
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 2 nominations total

Trivia
The movie is based on the career of artists manager Robert P. Marcucci who discovered and managed rock idols Frankie Avalon and Fabian during the 1950s and 1960s. Vincent 'Vinnie' Vacarri (Ray Sharkey) is based on Marcucci; Tommy Del Russo aka Tommy Dee (Paul Land) is based on Avalon; Guido Bevaloqua aka Caesare (Peter Gallagher) is based on Fabian and Vacarri's assistant, Brenda Roberts (Tovah Feldshuh), is based on Marcucci's real-life assistant at the time, Rona Barrett. Marcucci contributed his reminisces of the 50s & 60s music business to the film's script, did a cameo, and acted as a technical consultant to the production.

Goofs
There are two scenes in the parking lot of the club/bar where Vincent went to see Tommy play saxophone. The first one is where Vincent tells Tommy he would like him to record his songs. The second one is when Caesore is puking after running offstage at his debut which took place two years after the first.The cars in the parking lot are the same cars parked in the exact same order in both scenes.

Quotes
Vincent Vacarri: Hey, I'm not dumb! You don't even know me and you call me dumb. Wanna know what's dumb? The last eight covers in a row you did on Elvis in the army, with the badges? That's dumb. And that's boring.

Connections
Featured in Sneak Previews: The Idolmaker, The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith, Every Man for Himself, Fade to Black (1980)

Soundtracks
Sweet Little Lover
Music and Lyrics by Jeff Barry
Sung by Jesse Frederick

User reviews36

Review

Featured review

10/10

I love this movie!!!!

This movie is one of my all time favorites. Ray Sharkey and Peter Gallagher were amazing. The songs were great, in fact I use to own the sound track. To this day I know the words to every song. It was clear from the first time I saw the movie that Peter would go on to have longevity. I wish I knew what happened to Paul Land. He made a really good Tommy Dee. I saw the movie the other day and I still find myself having as much fun as I did when I saw it on Cable in 1981. Oh yeah Joe Pantiliano (Bad Boys, Sopranos) made a lasting impression as well. Great acting, fun for all. It is a must see for anyone with a dream. ( smile)