How does this movie fall under the radar? It's a classic! Great acting story scenery costumes and music!! And old NYC?!?!

All time classic!!! Saw it when it came out on cable back in 1981. Never get tired of this art!!!

Omg! Love this movie! In fact my husband bought it for me this past Christmas. Was one if the first movies I saw in the early days of HBO. My fave part is when Tommy Dee (RIP Paul😖) is at the dance when Tommy is on stage at you see Ray Sharkey in the background doing the routine along with him. RIP to Ray Sharkey also.

Saw this when it came out....it still holds up. Every actor was totally believable...especially Ray. He certainly deserved the Emmy for this. Just GREAT!

Even though I own this on DVD it was great to find and see it in it's entirety here. Ray Sharkey really puts every ounce of his soul into this performance!

One of my all time favorite movies. The music and the acting is great. Ray Sharkey should have won the oscar. Rest In Peace Paul Land and Ray Sharkey

I’m watching this movie just happy as can be surprised that I finally found a full movie 👏🏽my absolute favorite movie from back in the day.

Listening to the Prince podcast 1999 and they said it's one of his favorite movies of all time so I thought I'd give it A look

One summer, we ended up getting free movies on television. I would stay up late, and watch movies. When the "The Idolmaker" came on I made it a point to watch it. The story-line, the acting, the soundtrack were phenomenal!

OMG!! THANKS YOU TUBE! This movie and Ray Sharkey are ALL time underrated.

I remember having a huge crush on Cesare when this came out and then I was lucky enough to meet and chat with Peter Gallagher about 15 years later. He’s such a gentleman and so friendly and of course so talented too.

One of my all-time favorite movies. Always been a Ray Sharkey guy from when he was on the TV show Wiseguy. R.I.P. Ray, we miss you buddy.

RIP Ray Sharkey (November 14, 1952 - June 11, 1993), aged 40 And RIP Paul Land (January 31, 1956 - December 30, 2007), aged 51 You both will be remembered as legends.

This is one of my favorite movies. I saw it with my mom when it first came out it is a great memory for me

I am a church musician. approximately a year ago, I did a solo performance at Sunday mass.. I froze completely I had to stop. I was shaking and was very nervous. The next day I spoke to my mentor, my music teacher, and another professor. They asked me what took place I told them everything finally I decided to talk to some mental health professionals they prescribed me medications. I have been taking them ever cents and they have been a big help. Every time I have to do a solo performance. I make sure I take my medications.

This movie came on my mind recently and I wanted to see it. Thank goodness for KZfaq! It was everything I remembered! Such a great movie! Such a tragedy in loosing Vinnie and Tommy Dee.

Great film with an outstanding story and actor! Ray Sharkey died too soon! God Rest His Soul!

Classic!! My first celebrity crush when I was 10.. Ceasare'

Vinny’s (Ray Sharkey) final song at the end of the movie is a very inspiring and powerful song, it can possibly bring a tear to an eye of a person that just wants to accomplish an impossible goal.

Thank you for posting this wonderful film. This was terrific. Ray Sharkey deserved the Golden Globe and was robbed of an Emmy for his portrayal of Sonny in Wiseguy. May his sweet soul RIP. Miss him.

I'm 68 year's old and I niver heard of this guy. He is brilliant. Thank you so much for sharing this movie.

Absolutely love this movie! Such a trip down memory lane. My sister and I watched this movie a hundred times when we were kids. Love it!!!!!!!

I have loved this movie for a long time and I’m glad I finally found it on KZfaq. Thank you

Excellent gem of a movie, loosely based on the making of 50's teen idols Fabian and Frankie Avalon. Ray Sharkey delivers a great performance as Vince: Oscar nominated but should have won.

I saw this on the big screen at the Naval Base in Long Beach CA when it came out...It's always been one of my obscure favorites...an odd film but i love it...along these same lines check out American Hot Wax

I remember this movie growing up, it was great to re-visit it again. Fantastic journey back to the 80's and my childhood. Thank you for sharing it here...

I agree with all of these comments! Such a difficult movie to find! What a shame that it is so underappreciated! Ray Sharkey is amazing in thei RIP. Also, what a performance from a young Peter Gallager! Olympia Dukakus as him mom. Classic. Thank you for posting this video!

I remember watching this movie and I became a Ray Sharkey fan. He WAS this movie.

I saw this movie when I was 6 in 1981 with my parents. I remember all of the songs. What a great movie and soundtrack

What a great, stylish opening by director Taylor Hackford. The first five minutes told me I was in for a treat, when I first saw this with about 10 other people at a movie theater in Dearborn, Michigan.

OMG!!!!! I love this movie ❤❤❤

Thanks so much ! Excelent movie and top soundtrack!

The movie that inspired Prince to want to do Purple Rain.

Thanks so much! The guy that played Tommy Dee (Paul Land) only really made one more movie ("Spring Break" in 1983) before he quit Hollywood. He moved back to New Jersey and started his own construction company, but sadly, passed away in 2007. He was a hottie back then, tho!

Darlene Love sings the song on the opening credits, love her!

This is one of the best movies I've seen: Great performance by the late Ray Sharkey, who won the Golden Globe for Best Actor. All the other cast members, including the late Paul Land as Tommy Dee, also do an equally fine job. Obviously this movie was based on the careers of the teen idols Frankie Avalon and Fabian as well as their promoter/ manager, Bob Marcucci. A great soundtrack, performances and set design make for a gem of a film.

This movie though over 40 years old (OMG really, seen at 18 in the theater), anyway it’s still one of my all time favorites, and still say Ray Sharkey’s performance is mesmerizing, he won a Golden Globe award and remember him hosting Saturday Night Live around this time… such a shame he had such demons that ended his life so young… could have seen him in many other films, his talent here was obvious. (Actually Joe Pantoliano (Gino) goes on to many movies including Risky Business, Midnight Run and plays Ralphie in The Sopranos)

Wow great movie. Ray Sharky is a phenomenal actor of his own. Truly gifted !! Not just saying that because my brother laws Ray Sharky brother John Sharky are family now either!!

What a great movie! Ive been looking for this for years! I used to have it on a beta video tape but the player took a dump. I saw it when it first came out in the theater and it only played for a few days. Never did find out why.

Loved it when I watched it, 44 years ago, and loved it the few times that I've seen it since, including, today.

I was 15 years old when I first heard the songs 'Baby' & "I Can't Tell' on the radio. I bought a pop magazine to find out more about the songs & the movie then waited with barely contained anticipation for the movie to reach the only cinema I had access to. Alas; it never was released in my home state & I'm pretty sure it never even reached Australian cinemas. Through the years, I often thought about the film & wondered what it was like. Now, 35 years later I've finally seen it & can now put that missing part of my teen years to rest. Thanks, Graham Michael Astley & thanks KZfaq.

I just noticed something: the scene in this movie when Vinnie meets Peter Gallagher is exactly like the scene in the first episode of Wiseguy where Ken Wahl met Sonny Steelgrave (who was also played by Ray Sharkey). Both scenes have the waiter accidentally spill the plates on Ray Sharkey and when Ray Sharkey starts yelling at the waiter, the waiter lashes back and that gets Ray Sharkey's respect and they end up becoming friends. They are almost shot for shot the same scene.

Watched this for the first time in jr high. Watched it again last night. What a classic!

It's April 2023. This is the first time in over 30 years since I've seen this film and it holds up. Sad that Ray Sharkey was a causality of AIDS. On a positive note, Peter Gallagher, Tovah Feldshuh, and Joey Pantoliano did alright for themselves.

I'm so surprised to see Joe Pantoliano when he was still relatively younger than his Soprano days. I couldn't believe it when I realized he was the same guy that played Guido the pimp in Risky Business years before. He's so fun to watch :) And Peter Gallagher looks like a baby he's so young :) Not to mention Marcia Marcia Marcia Brady. I'd never heard of this movie. It was good!

Great movie, cast and music

Haven't seen this in year's & Still Love it like the First time. What a Great movie!!!

I still love the old TV series Wise Guy and some of the best episodes co-starred Ray Sharkey, and read about The Idol Maker in one of the interviews. apparently this movie is what got him the part in Wise Guy...watch it for Ray's performance!

I remember watching this back in the day when I was a kid on like HBO. Couldn't remember the name of it to save my life last year. So glad I found it. Great movie.

I remember watching this when it came out and thought the sound track was great, bought the LP and now get to watch the movie again. So good!!!!!

This is one of the best movies ever made. The acting... music... writing is excellent.

LOVED this movie as a kid and still have the VHS copy! ❤️

After all these years, I finally found this movie again. I couldn't remember the name!

one of my favorite movies. glad I found it. WOW.

How young Ray looks here! Attractive too though he describes himself as not star material lookswise. I think it's that electric personality of his which draws you in, as it did in Wiseguy. No wonder nobody wanted him to leave.

My favorite movie when i was 12 years old.

I love love love Ray Sharkey ❤

Thanks for downloading it. Hope the “powers that be” don’t block it. Haven’t been able to find this movie anywhere.

One of the best movies ever - 1980- the age of hope and going for it -Flash Dance, Fame Rocky 3, Purple Rain (this was Prince's favorite movie). It was ahead of it's time. Brilliant.

I watched this as a kid, I'm happy you upload the full video, I'm glad I found it back again

Love this movie. Cable TV in the early 80's....The greatest time to be alive. Thank You!!!

I remember watching this movie, very good movie. Barbara Mozie 😀

I was an extra in this when I was 12 years old .. I’m at 36:50 in the red sweater sitting next to Ed Sharp. My dad was the Art Director on it. I still love this movie so much ♥️

Love this movie! Thanks for uploading.

this just came up in my memory cuz i saw something about ray sharkey and it made me look to see if this was available anywhere...crazy prices on amazon and unavailable so i did a search and youtube shockingly has it so im going to watch it while i can...thanks for posting it!

Thank you so much . This a LOST GEM . I ENJOYED THE VERY FIRST TIME I SAW IT .

@1:31 - Sharkey strutting down the street in that flock of stickball kids is what I always think of when I think of this movie. I had forgotten how great it (and its music) was. Thanks for putting it up!

Thanks Graham! I knew Ray and this is a real gift. Joe Pants! Sopranos and also Richard Bright (Al Neri) from The Godfather! and John Aprea (Sal Tessio) in GF 2! P S. Myrna Smith from The Sweet Inspirations-Elvis backup singers.

I've always loved this movie. Ending song - perfection

Thanks so much for posting this movie....I've been trying to find it forever! It was my fav movie of all time back in the day. There were sound issues but i turned it all the way up and enjoyed :)

I was living in Los Angeles at the Chateau Le Fleur apartments, corner of Cherokee and Franklin 1979-80. One morning I heard a commotion outside the door. I opened the door in my bathrobe, and there was Maureen McCormick sitting atop boxes (possibly film equipment cases) in a short nightgown. She smile and said hello, and said they were shooting a film. I've never seen The Idolmaker, but it would be cool now to see where Chateau LaFleur was used in the film and why Maureen was dressed the way she was!

My favorite movie since the 80's. Peter gallagher song. Baby is in my playlists.

Excellent production and great music! This and purple rain are the two best kind of movies of this style! And the stage and light design for the concert song in all white was just freakin off the chain! Love you Ray!! To the person who made this available for all to enjoy...Thanks for uploading this!

This Movie is the very first thing I ever saw on cable tv way bk in 1980,it was great then an great now THX GRAHAM FOR A GREAT WATCH!!

Thank you for a great upload of a great classic!

Great movie the cast did a wonderful job 👏🏿

OMG… Am I really about to watch my favorite teenage movie ever! Thank you so much for this!

Love love love this gem

Increíble, por fin la volví a ver, este film es una estupenda historia, vale la pena mirarla, algo se debe de aprender, como a no rendirse !!!!

This was a very underrated movie, but it did effectively capture that period in pop music during the early 60's where pop singers, like Fabian, Frankie Avalon, and Bobby Rydell, were more revered for their looks (specifically their hair) rather than their talent. Vincent was hip enough to realize this, and although he was a fairly good musician, he knew that with his receding hairline that he'd have little chance of becoming a successful performer during this time period. But had it been a couple of decades later during the 70's, when audiences weren't as shallow, he could have had a chance. Elton John, who had even less hair than Vincent, could attest to that.

Love this movie, watched it alot on Prism in the early days of cable, underrated musical flick, great acting great story, great music performances from everyone, Boys and Girls and Jimmy Ryan included, Sonny Steelgrave, Ralph Ciferetto , Al Neri and Young Tessio and nobody dies ,

Ray Sharkey !

Great Movie & Soundtrack

One of my favorite movies. Paul Land didnt even need to act! So stunningly gorgeous.

I'm surprised & excited

Such a good movie - and should be re-done as a stage musical

Thank you Graham Michael Astley, I have been searching for this on DVD, this is even better!

Great definition video! Although the (fun) pop songs are mostly pretty cheesy and of a later 60's bubblegum style (The Monkees forward,) the depiction of the record industry is spot on. Also the scene where Ceaser is mobbed is fantastically frantic; Gallagher looks truly terrified in the chaos. Electric unbroken handheld shot going from the stage to the dressing room, with Sharkey going nuts! Possibly the best rock riot scene of its kind (until Baz Luhrmann's Elvis comes out... ) Fun fact, this movie inspired Prince to oversee the creation of several spin-off groups such as The TIme & Vanity 6.

One of my all time favorites. Couldn’t get enough of it on cable in ‘81 and still love it as much as the first time I watched. Acting, locations, soundtrack.. Perfection!

Still stands up as a movie that proves determination will lead you to success. Whether you want it or not.

thankyou so much for posting !!

Great movie, great cast

Is this the story of Simon C? 😂 Really good movie

This is an American Classic, god rest the souls of Ray Sharkey and Paul Rand, they were both very talented and cool dudes. There’s just something about this movie that I love and keep coming back too, I never get bored watching it and watch it all the way through. The characters are awesome and of course the music was great, I still find myself singing some of the songs from this movie to myself when at work or just out and about running errands lol 😂. They really are catchy tunes.

Thankyou for this wonderful movie

I love you Graham and want to have your baby !!! However, I'm 68 so we'll have to settle for a sub and a thumbs up. lol I haven't seen this movie in forever and was thrilled to find it. Beautiful quality !!! Thank you so much :o)

I've loved this movie forever!! Most people I know have never heard of it and I always recommend it. Ray Sharkey is phenomenal. Peter Gallagher is great too. I rented it years ago at the library and played it for my daughters who were teens and preteen at the time. They became OBSESSED lol. The amount of times they rewound the parts with Caesare is uncountable. They loved Tommy Dee too but really loved Peter Gallagher. So glad I found it here :)

One of my favorite movies ever!

A great movie! Watched it multiple times growing up in the 80’s!

Thank you for this!