American Hot Wax (1978): cast, story & where to watch
1978 · Film · ★ 5.5
Released in 1978, American Hot Wax is a drama, music and history film directed by Floyd Mutrux, running about 91 minutes. “1959. New York City. The battleground was Rock and Roll. It was the beginning of an era. You shoulda been there.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. This is the story loosely based on Cleveland disc jockey Alan Freed, who introduced rock'n'roll to teenage American radio audiences in the 1950s. Freed was a source of great controversy: criticized by conservatives for corrupting youth with the "devil's music"; hated by racists for promoting African American music for white consumption; persecuted by law enforcement officials and finally brought down by the "payola" scandals.
Who’s in it. American Hot Wax stars Tim McIntire as Alan Freed, Fran Drescher as Sheryl, Jay Leno as Mookie and Laraine Newman as Teenage Louise, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.5/10, American Hot Wax has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $11M at the box office.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch American Hot Wax page.
If you liked it. Fans of American Hot Wax tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch American Hot Wax (1978)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for American Hot Wax change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is American Hot Wax worth watching?
- American Hot Wax holds an audience score of 5.5 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, music and history. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in American Hot Wax?
- American Hot Wax stars Tim McIntire, Fran Drescher, Jay Leno, Laraine Newman and Carl Weaver.
- When was American Hot Wax released?
- American Hot Wax was released in 1978, with a runtime of about 91 minutes.