Disco Fever (film)

Last updated
Disco Fever
Directed by Lamar Card
Written byJohn Arnoldy
Based onstory by George Barris
Produced byLamar Card
John (Jack) T Parker
executive
George Barris
Irwin Schaeffer
Starring Fabian
Casey Kasem
CinematographyRoss Kelsay
Edited byMarshall Harvey
Music byJack Allocco
Distributed byGroup 1 International Distribution Organization Ltd.
Release date
  • 1978 (1978)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Disco Fever, also known as Jukebox, is a 1978 American film directed by Lamar Card about a nightclub owner who plans the comeback of an ex-teen idol. [1] [2]

Contents

Plot

Cybil Michaels is the manager of a disco. One night she spots Richie Desmond, a contemporary of Frankie Avalon and Fabian, who has come in for a drink. She proposes he make a comeback attempt and Richie is interested, but he rejects her sexual overtures.

Richie falls for Jill but has to deal with Jill's jealous ex, Danny, and the manager. The manager wants to launch a disco singer, Tommy Aspen, at a party which is going to take place on a plane that has been fitted with a stage.

Richie wants to sing new material and Cybil assures him she is supportive. She offers up a new contract and bribes Richie's manager, Brian Parker, to get Richie to sign the contract. Richie does so at Brian's urging.

Cybil then tells Richie he must play his old material on the plane. Richie is upset but Cybil points out she has full creative control over his career for the next seven years.

On the plane Richie arrives and performs his new song, to the chagrin of Tommy. It is a big success.

Cast

Production

The film was based on a story by George Barris, who also produced. Barris was best known as a car customiser whose work often appeared in films. He would occasionally produce movies. [3]

It was known during filming as Jet Set Disco.

Songs

Reception

One critic said "Fabian is totally unconvincing... obviously the money men couldn't afford good script writers, a variety of sets or even good, reliable actors." [4]

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References

  1. Disco Fever at Fabianforte.net
  2. Vagg, Stephen (26 August 2019). "The Cinema of Fabian". Diabolique.
  3. Ferrell, David (October 30, 1989). "Car Customizer Shifts Gears to Personal Project : Adventure: George Barris will create on film a re-enactment of the high-speed collision that killed his good friend, actor James Dean, in 1955". Los Angeles Times.
  4. Fabian flunks out again: DISCO FEVER, starring Fabian and Casey Kasem. At the Imperial and Astor South China Morning Post & the Hongkong Telegraph 14 Jan 1979: 19.