The Idolmaker (1980) - August 6, 2013 Pre-order

[Akijama]

Idolmaker Blu-ray

Source

Rousing, song filled drama about an aggressive music promoter in the '50s (based on Philadelphia's own Bob Marcucci, the mentor of Frankie Avalon and Fabian) who molds two teenage singers into pop sensations. Ray Sharkey turns in a dynamic performance in the title role; with Tovah Feldshuh, Peter Gallagher, Paul Land. 117 min. Soundtrack: English.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUOb5C9jJdI

[jah13]

Shout Factory!, I'm guessing? Not a big fan of this one, but I'm glad to see it finally available in 1.85 again. There was a '90s-era letterboxed laserdisc, but when the film came to DVD, it was open matte.

I'm disappointed, though, that this is the early '80s Peter Gallagher selection, rather than the infinitely more entertaining SUMMER LOVERS, his next feature film, but which we've already been told by Cliff has been rejected by Shout Factory!. Both titles are controlled by MGM.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by jah13

Shout Factory!, I'm guessing? Not a big fan of this one, but I'm glad to see it finally available in 1.85 again. There was a '90s-era letterboxed laserdisc, but when the film came to DVD, it was open matte.

I'm disappointed, though, that this is the early '80s Peter Gallagher selection, rather than the infinitely more entertaining SUMMER LOVERS, his next feature film, but which we've already been told by Cliff has been rejected by Shout Factory!. Both titles are controlled by MGM.

I doubt this will be a Shout Factory blu-ray release. Most likely it'll be MGM. I thought, The Idolmaker was a pretty good movie, and had very good performances by Peter Gallagher, and the late: Ray Sharkey.

[jah13]

Originally Posted by slimdude

I doubt this will be a Shout Factory blu-ray release. Most likely it'll be MGM. I thought, The Idolmaker was a pretty good movie, and had very good performances by Peter Gallagher, and the late: Ray Sharkey.

Maybe not Shout, but I'd be very surprised if this is the work of MGM alone and not a licensee. Not highly in demand or well known.

[jah13]

Originally Posted by slimdude

I doubt this will be a Shout Factory blu-ray release. Most likely it'll be MGM. I thought, The Idolmaker was a pretty good movie, and had very good performances by Peter Gallagher, and the late: Ray Sharkey.

Joey Pants is no slouch in this, either.

[Akijama]

Due on August 27th. Courtesy of Shout! Factory.

Idolmaker Blu-ray

[jah13]

Originally Posted by Akijama

Due on August 27th. Courtesy of Shout! Factory.

Idolmaker Blu-ray

And, again, I ask aloud to no one in particular, "of everything--non-genre--Shout! could release from the MGM coffers, they pick THE IDOLMAKER?"

I'm fully prepared to be wrong, of course , but after cmac has stated here that "dramas don't move units," or something to that effect, THE IDOLMAKER really does not seem like a title that will move the dial much in the other direction.

For truly fine non-genre "cult" titles controlled by MGM, such as CHILLY SCENES OF WINTER, I will continue to hope that Criterion makes a play, because something like that seems less and less the province of Shout!, though I have no doubt they'd put together a great package if they went that way.

[Jt19006]

I don't understand the backlash against this title selection. It has a loyal following among mature film fans and fans of music of it's era, features some great original songs, has great attention to period detail, the main star (Ray Sharkey) soon became known on a hit TV show (and for his seedy personal life and untimely death), the supporting cast (Joe Pantoliano, Peter Gallagher, Tovah Feldshuh, Paul Land and Olympia Dukakis among them) is very strong and it's an early film by a most respected filmmaker director Taylor Hackford (too many great films to list). I think this is a great selection from Shout Factory.

The DVD sounds great in 5.1 but...sadly...was full frame. The laserdisc looked great in widescreen and had "Dolby Surround" formatted audio (via AC-3 if selected) and an excellent commentary track by Hackford that definitely should be licensed and included on this blu-ray. A DTS-MA HD audio track and quality video encode would make this "old" movie a real treat on blu-ray.

As you guys here tend to say...Day One!!! Either ya do it, ya do it or ya do it!

[moviegoer1948]

Nice to finally get this on blu-ray, I don't care for the title selection either. lol

[jah13]

It's unfortunate that the film features next to no, if any, original tunes from the era and instead we get a mediocre pastiche of "'80s meets '50s" sounds in Jeff Barry's original score.

But, yes, it is nice to get this film in widescreen for the first time since the letterboxed laserdisc. Hopefully, the remake of BREATHLESS will get similar treatment at some point, as that, too, was released OAR on laserdisc only to receive an early, full-frame DVD release.

But, overall, I consider myself a "mature film fan" and find it an uninspiring choice in light of Cliff's earlier comments about passing on dramas because they don't sell. Just don't see this one changing that trend, meaning less chance for other worthier, "mature" dramas, IMHO, in the MGM stable, in the future. Of course, if I'm wrong--great--I hope it trickles down other non-genre MGM titles from Shout! Factory.

Originally Posted by Jt19006

I don't understand the backlash against this title selection. It has a loyal following among mature film fans and fans of music of it's era, features some great original songs, has great attention to period detail, the main star (Ray Sharkey) soon became known on a hit TV show (and for his seedy personal life and untimely death), the supporting cast (Joe Pantoliano, Peter Gallagher, Tovah Feldshuh, Paul Land and Olympia Dukakis among them) is very strong and it's an early film by a most respected filmmaker director Taylor Hackford (too many great films to list). I think this is a great selection from Shout Factory.

The DVD sounds great in 5.1 but...sadly...was full frame. The laserdisc looked great in widescreen and had "Dolby Surround" formatted audio (via AC-3 if selected) and an excellent commentary track by Hackford that definitely should be licensed and included on this blu-ray. A DTS-MA HD audio track and quality video encode would make this "old" movie a real treat on blu-ray.

As you guys here tend to say...Day One!!! Either ya do it, ya do it or ya do it!

[Thomas Veil]

I would be in the surprised they went this route camp...I can't see this selling well compared to other choices I'm sure they had...for example: Eddie and the Cruisers which I would have been all over and is more of a cult favorite with a built in fan base. Eddie! Eddie! Eddie!

[AWG319]

The Idolmaker is a great film. Unfortunately it never got a chance to live up to it's potential at the box office. It did develop a cult like following due in part to it's soundtrack. It did mix the 80's and 50's music together much in the way Grease did though it didn't have the success that Grease had. Found out that the soundtrack is finally seeing a CD release on July 23,2013 through Varese Sarabande records. I still have the LP of the soundtrack and I love just about every song on there. I've already pre-ordered my copy of the CD through Amazon and can't wait for the bluray to come out!

[Seymour]

Yeah, this one seems like an odd choice for Shout to put out on blu. cmac has mentioned sales figures a few times, when trying to explain why certain titles are selected (or passed on). There's no way this is gonna sell well...Maybe they're just doing a small print run (but not announcing that part)?

[Maggot]

Why are there two versions of this movie coming out? One is from Shout Factory for late August and the other is from some other company named Gaiam in early August?

[Jobla]

Excellent film, and it will be nice to see it restored to widescreen. The MGM DVD was a disappointment.

That said, I do agree about the "sound-alike" music. Another film that went that route was GRACE OF MY HEART. Both films were hurt by the lack of authentic period music. I feel the same way about the Broadway score for DREAMGIRLS.

A recent film, THE SAPPHIRES, used authentic songs. I much prefer that to the use of sound-alike songs, although I realize the costs of licensing the original recordings and songs.

[SteveLJhb]

Call me crazy but I loved this movie... Have the so-so DVD release but would seriously love to get a copy of the Blu Ray. Unfortunately I doubt it will be a region free release.

[JMK]

The Idolmaker Blu-ray Review

Also, just FYI, it's my belief that a member mistakenly added a dupe entry for this title with Gaiam Vivendi incorrectly listed as the studio for an October release. I don't believe there is another Blu-ray coming out (please correct me if you know definitively otherwise).

[guile]

WOW! One of my favorites!!! GREAT SELECTION SF!!!!

[Maggot]

Watched this last night. Yes, it's been scrubbed to a degree, but wow it looked and sounded great!

[jvorhees]

Watched this one for the first time last night and really enjoyed it. Definitely had its cheesy moments....the ending made me groan, and I see the official reviwer on here agrees...but overall it was an entertaining film. Video did seem a bit soft in a tampered kind of way, but the audio was great....recommended.