You know you’re old when you begin writing about how things
were when you were younger. But that’s the case with many movies that are
offered now on DVD and blu-ray for the first time. They are timeless classics
that were forgotten but that bring back fond memories of days gone by for those
who lived then. For those of us in our teens in the 70s FM music was the way to
go. A cleaner crisper sound with none of the static that AM offered. So it was
only natural that a movie about the topic would arrive on the scene and it did
in 1978 with the film appropriately entitled FM.
Jeff Dugan (Michael Brandon) is the station manager/program
director for Q-SKY radio in Los Angeles. Having assembled the cream of the crop
with the DJs on hand and programming the station with more music than most he’s
been able to make the station number one in the market. But with that comes a
problem.
The home office has just sent in sales manager Regis Lamar
(Tom Tarpey). Lamar has plans to bring in ads for the US Army to the station.
It doesn’t fit their format or their audience so if course Dugan isn’t very
receptive to the idea. Eventually Lamar calls on the big wigs back at corporate
to back him up which they do, dollar signs in their eyes.
This leads Dugan to quit the station. The other DJs back him
up though, taking the studio hostage and barricading themselves in with
supplies and telling their listeners what’s going on. The station is surrounded
by the listeners who support the move and a showdown between those who truly
love the music and the corporation that wants to do nothing more than profit
from the popularity of the station butt heads.
The story is rather simple and based on an actual event
though reinterpreted for the film. What makes the film work though is the
characters that flesh out the story and their tales that wrap around it all.
Eileen Brennan, a fantastic actress, portrays Mother, the eldest of the DJs who
is ready to bring her career to an end, tired of the traveling and catering to
callers seeking more than her ear. Martin Mull is Eric Swan, a letch if there
ever was one, who dreams of hosting a game show and moving up in the world. Cleavon
Little is Prince, the soft speaking sultry night time DJ who’s there to wind
you up and help you along with a romantic evening. Alex Karras is Doc, a
country DJs whose style doesn’t quite fit in at the station and who’s about to
be cut with the lowest ratings in his time spot. And replacing Doc is Laura Coe
(Cassie Yates) a soft spoken female DJ who also becomes the love interest of
Dugan. Rounding out the group is Bobbie Douglas (Jay Fenichel), the station
engineer who wants to be a DJ and gets the chance by doing news.
Each of these characters gets their own special spot in the
movie highlighting their skills on air and off. These moments are skillfully
placed around the story and help move it forward. Their moments add laughter
that is appropriately placed alongside tender moments where you consider the
life of a DJ and its ups and downs. Through it all the groups bands together in
a family of sorts that stands next to and supports one another making the film
a treat.
In addition to the actors the movie sported one of the best
double album soundtracks ever recorded with not only hits of the time but a few
concert performances that were included in the film by Jimmy Buffet and Linda
Ronstadt as well as an autograph signing sequence with REO Speedwagon. The
title song was made specifically for the song and “FM” by Steely Dan was a hit
for the band.
The film never was a huge hit when released which always
surprised me at the time and to this day. The people I’ve talked to who saw the
film when it was released have always had as fond memories of the film as I
have. Those of us who enjoyed it will be overjoyed at the release being offered
now by Arrow Video. As always their presentation is amazing.
The movie has been transferred from original film elements
giving a clear and clean picture. And it includes a number of extras like a new
interview with Michael Brandon, Ezra Sacks who wrote the picture and an
appreciation of the era of FM music by film and music critic Glenn Kenny.
This is not a film that you will likely find for rental.
It’s a movie that fans of the film have longed would be released. If you loved
the music, if you have great memories of FM radio and if you remember the movie
now is your chance to own it in the best format possible. My guess is you’re
already hearing the theme song in your head. Now give the movie a try.
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