On the heels of "Grease" (which created a brief wave of '50's nostalgia), but at the same basic time as "Can't Stop the Music" (which was a glitzy, ridiculous bust) this unusual semi-musical film made it's debut and sort of drifted into obscurity afterwards. The story showcases the exploits of Sharkey, a songwriter with drive and creativity to spare, who desperately wants success in the music business, but realizes that he doesn't have what it takes physically to make it. He plucks a slightly more attractive kid (Land) out of a local band and forges him into a singing sensation, planning each detail and exacting control over him. Once Land is solidly in place, Sharkey starts in with young Gallagher to repeat his success (partially to prove himself to his own father.) Feldshuh is a teen magazine editor who finds herself caught up in the hoopla of these prefab idols and in Sharkey's enthusiasm. The film has several things going for it, not the least of which is Sharkey's terrific performance. He is completely believable and compelling in the role, his charisma taking the story a long way. The always reliable Feldshuh (who recently made a minor splash in "Kissing Jessica Stein") is saddled with a pretty demeaning role, yet manages to get in a few decent moments. There are several moderately recognizable faces in the cast who do nice jobs (including a nearly unrecognizable Pantoliano.) Land, who showed promise in this film, somehow completely petered out shortly after, as did Pec, who makes an impression as Sharkey's mobster-like father. Gallagher (playing a 16-year-old at 25!) is also showcased to good effect, despite the occasional silliness of the material and a lot of make-up. What keeps the film from becoming fully satisfying is the limited period detail (mostly just some cars, a few poodle skirts and some fun knit tops and peg legged pants), the predictability of the story (a manager who creates stars and then loses them to their own ego is hardly a fresh concept!) and the sometimes disjointed flow of the script (ironically, this is due mostly to the decision to present the numbers intact....many viewers will appreciate this, but it leaves little room for characterization and connecting plot points.) Characters appear and disappear and have sudden changes of attitude. However, the film is not really deep enough to have allowed for a longer running time. Also, the numbers are more along the lines of the '80's than the early '60's. This doesn't mean they aren't entertaining....just not accurate. They are sort of early '60's song run through an early '80's filter. Adding to the camp factor are McCormick (trying to escape her "Brady" stigma as a tarty journalist) and Merv Griffin's favorite dancer Terrio as the choreographer of the decidedly un-'60's numbers. Despite Sharkey's romance with Feldshuh, there is a somewhat homoerotic feel to his obsession with the boys. Sadly, in real life, Sharkey died of AIDS in 1993. Director Hackford would later direct the blockbuster "An Officer and a Gentleman" which also dealt with life makeovers.