The bad news about "The Idolmaker" is that, like a lot of music films, it drags between songs. The good news is the songs are excellent.Ray Sharkey does a fine job as the agent to up-and-coming talent in New Jersey in the late '50s, and Peter Gallagher and Paul Land excel as his creations. The plot has many of the standard clichés about the price of stardom and the cold machinations behind the scenes, but the music makes it worthwhile. As superb as the soundtrack is, however, it appears to be more of a '70s and '80s take on '50s music. The songs are enjoyable, but they sound like something you'd be more likely to hear in "Grease" than on an Elvis Presley record.While "The Idolmaker" breaks no new ground for fans of '50s nostalgia, it's worth checking out for its fine performances and excellent soundtrack.

Keepin' it brief I fully agree with other comments found in these reviews.A VERY good movie, and fun place to see 2 of todays stars in their FIRST movie appearances.There is an almost haunting quality to Sharkeys character. Driven to a fault to live vicariously through more handsome men that he could control just long enough to see them reach his own goal.Good supporting cast, and well filmed, with a few sound problems and mediocre, lighting. Being Far Too critical.Watch for Joe Pantoliano and Peter Gallagher, And consider how Sharkey could have given Kevin Spacey a run for his money in "Beyond the Sea"Nows there's food for an argument.On my top 10 Music related pix.

Since Broadway is turning (ha!) to movies as stage shows, just how long do we all think it will be before THE IDOLMAKER makes its way onto the boards, HAIRSPRAY style? A sort of Queer Eye For The Straight Film.... I predict this along with THE NIGHT THEY RAIDED MINSKYS as perfect fodder for a Broadway 'revival' or makeover. Royalties can be sent to me via the IMDb. In fact it is the male version of HAIRSPRAY, really, isn't it. Unless of course the 1977 musical drama about Alan Freed: American HOT WAX, gets a gig instead. Perfect 60s musical theatre on film as a real movie, THE IDOLMAKER is a very good production with excellent set pieces and songs...and with an exceptional Peter Gallagher as Fabian-ish teen heart throb CESARE long before his days on The OC. I actually thought THE IDOLMAKER was a gay musical and felt the Ray Sharkey character was quite obvious. Especially in the shaving foam scene. I guess the film went as far as it wanted to with his possibility and left it a bit ambiguous. Not a popular film in its day, THE IDOLMAKER should find a new and appreciative audience on DVD and later on Broadway as a stage musical instead. It deserves it.

It was fall of 1980 and I was listening to NBC Radio ( A.M. ). At the time, that station played great music of the day. I remember calling up a radio contest which said that you could win tickets to the premiere of a new movie called " The Idolmaker " at Radio City Music Hall in New York City ( Manhatten ). I could not believe that I actually got thru and when I did was told that I had won. They wanted my name, address and phone number and told me that I would be receiving tickets to the premiere of the movie. What made matters even more great was the fact that my ex-husband worked for Rockefeller Center, not NBC otherwise we wouldn't have been eligible for winning these tickets. What luck! The premiere of this movie was amazing!!! I loved the acting, and the singing was to die for. After the movie ended, the stars of the show got up on the Radio City stage and spoke a few words thanking everyone who attended. I was privileged to have been seated in the 5th row from front. Peter Gallagher was so handsome in person as was Paul Land. Ray Sharkey ( may he rest in peace ) was at his finest hour. Even though this movie received a bad review and it didn't do too well in the theaters, I believe that many people were not given the opportunity to see what a fine movie this really was. Prince and Michael Jackson are big fans of this movie and for good reason. " You can be anything you want to be " , and that is the motto of this movie. Singer, songwriter, artist-you can make it!