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Did you people see the same film I saw?

Captivating movie !

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

Jeff (Michael Brandon) is the manager for a very popular radio station in Los Angeles. He has an arsenal of great disc jockeys: Mother (Eileen Brennan), Swan (Martin Mull), Prince (Cleavon Little) and Doc (Alex Karras). In addition, the station's motto is as little advertising as possible, resulting in more songs played. But, the middle management may be out to change this. They want Jeff to honor a proposal with the US Army to run quite a few recruitment spots. Also, the station endures personal problems in breakups, breakdowns, agent loss, and rival attacks. For his part, Jeff pulls off quite a feat by airing a Linda Ronstadt concert live which was sponsored by a different radio station! Finally, push comes to shove. If Jeff doesn't cooperate, he's gone. Will his loyal staff take this sitting down? This obviously dated but nice flick from 1978 has a sensational cast, a great soundtrack, and live performances by Ronstadt and Buffet. What a treat! Yes, the hair styles, costumes, and sets look "lost in the seventies" but the script has universal truths which never grow old. The direction is capable, too. FM is a fine curiosity piece especially given the musical appearances. Sound good?

I was just listening to the radio this morning and found it to be an audio wasteland. Old recycled songs, babbling morning DJ's proving their stupidity to the world, homogenized-musical crustaceans, that were probably run through the marketing department. Basically the same crap as everyday.So if it is the same crap as always then why would someone keep turning it on all the time? The reason is that when I was young radio was not like that. It was this freewheeling truly rebellious format with DJ's who really cared about the music. Sure many of these DJ's were bought off but not all. There was areal sense of excitement when a new band or artist came out. I remember one station had what was called side Sunday, where they would play one entire side about 4-7 songs from an album, uninterrupted.This movie catches that spirit of the fight for the soul of radio. One side are there rebels lead by Jeff Dugan who are going to do it there way at all costs. On the other side are the corporate marketing types who just want more money.It is not a very heavy movie and probably resembles a light Marx brother flick. But, it still has it's moments. I like who Dugan keeps on fighting the battle and finding funny ways to thwart his antagonist while having to deal with the insanity of his staff. Eileen Brennan is especially good as the burnt out and weary mother character.I guess the real sad ending is that the force of the spirit of radio may win the battle but, in the long run they lose the war, the number crunchers win out and destroy the that goose that lays the golden egg.

This movie, and its soundtrack is the history of late 70's classic rock 101. Taylor, Walsh, Steely Dan, Rondstat. They are all there. And behind the music portrayed a Los Angles radio station with a band of misfits, and its eccentric station manager who wanted to run the station with a college style and no commercials. Martin Mull in his movie debut takes the cheese with his portrayal of Eric Swan, an egotistical babe magnet with the heart of 10 year old child. The movie even shows some excellent concert footage from Linda Rondstat, and Jimmy Buffett.This movie has been playing a lot on the Sundance Channel because this really was an indie movie. The movie did look a little low budget. It took a while for the VHS to come out, and now it is on DVD. This is truly one of my favorite movies of all time.

I have the movie on VHS, and share it with some of the younger generations. I had the opportunity to see FM in the theatre, during my Sr. year in High School. Awesome concert footage of Jimmy Buffet and Linda Ronstadt in their prime. In addition to the movie being enjoyable to those discovering FM Radio in its infancy, the Soundtrack was one of the best compilations I've heard. It was released as a two album set, well worth the experience. Martin Mull and Eileen Brennan, turn in wonderful performances, as well as Clevon Little as the Night DJ "The Prince of Darkness". If you want to take a step back in time to the beginnings of FM Radio, this is the ticket.