The theme of Svengali the mastermind who directs the career of Trilby is dusted
off and used for The Idolmaker. Bob Marcucci who discovered both Fabian and
Frankie Avalon is purportedly the model of Ray Sharkey's character.
If so Marcucci never had any singing talent of his own as Sharkey does here. But Sharkey doesn't have the right look according to him to make it all the way. He does know the business end of the music business. So Sharkey first finds Paul Land and then Peter Gallagher and makes them stars. What happens is inevitable when both of them decide they can direct their own careers. That's a real life theme that goes back to Jenny Lind.
Sharkey is fascinating to watch with a performance that succeeds on many emotional levels. Tovah Feldshuh who plays an editor of a bubblegum teen magazine also scores well as do Land and Gallagher. There's a nice soundtrack of late 50s type music that gives The Idolmaker a real feel for the period.
If you like that music scene The Idolmaker is your movie. As for Sharkey's character he had a bit more going for him than Bob Marcucci.
If so Marcucci never had any singing talent of his own as Sharkey does here. But Sharkey doesn't have the right look according to him to make it all the way. He does know the business end of the music business. So Sharkey first finds Paul Land and then Peter Gallagher and makes them stars. What happens is inevitable when both of them decide they can direct their own careers. That's a real life theme that goes back to Jenny Lind.
Sharkey is fascinating to watch with a performance that succeeds on many emotional levels. Tovah Feldshuh who plays an editor of a bubblegum teen magazine also scores well as do Land and Gallagher. There's a nice soundtrack of late 50s type music that gives The Idolmaker a real feel for the period.
If you like that music scene The Idolmaker is your movie. As for Sharkey's character he had a bit more going for him than Bob Marcucci.