This sharply barbed and thinly disguised biopic of the mastermind behind the careers of such pop stars as Frankie Avalon and Fabian gives that powerhouse actor Ray Sharkey the chance to demonstrate the full range of his considerable talents. Although the film conveys little sense of period, it does show entertainingly and all too clearly how teen idols of the post-rock period were created, promoted and sometimes discarded by entrepreneurs who bribed where necessary and cynically manipulated their adolescent audience. Sharkey really is the whole show, and his ferocious style reduces most of the supporting cast to mere shadows. The film needs all his energy when the script collapses after a promising first half. Worth a look, though, if you fancy the subject.


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