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Thunder Alley

  • 1985
  • R
  • 1h 51m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
524
YOUR RATING
Thunder Alley (1985)
A group of friends start a rock band, but as they start their rise in the music world, they get mixed up with drugs.
Play trailer1:33
1 Video
23 Photos
DramaMusic

A group of friends start a rock band, but as they start their rise in the music world, they get mixed up with drugs.A group of friends start a rock band, but as they start their rise in the music world, they get mixed up with drugs.A group of friends start a rock band, but as they start their rise in the music world, they get mixed up with drugs.

  • Director
    • J.S. Cardone
  • Writer
    • J.S. Cardone
  • Stars
    • Roger Wilson
    • Jill Schoelen
    • Scott McGinnis
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    524
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • J.S. Cardone
    • Writer
      • J.S. Cardone
    • Stars
      • Roger Wilson
      • Jill Schoelen
      • Scott McGinnis
    • 14User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:33
    Trailer

    Photos23

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    + 19
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    Top cast40

    Edit
    Roger Wilson
    Roger Wilson
    • Richie
    Jill Schoelen
    Jill Schoelen
    • Beth
    Scott McGinnis
    Scott McGinnis
    • Donnie
    Cindy Eilbacher
    Cindy Eilbacher
    • Lorraine
    • (as Cynthia Eilbacher)
    Clancy Brown
    Clancy Brown
    • Weasel
    Leif Garrett
    Leif Garrett
    • Skip
    Phillip Brock
    Phillip Brock
    • Butch
    • (as Phil Brock)
    Brian Cole
    Brian Cole
    • Wolf
    Bert Kramer
    Bert Kramer
    • Richie's Father
    Elizabeth Huddle Nyberg
    • Richie's Mother
    • (as Elizabeth Huddle)
    John A. Dragon
    • Brad
    Randy Polk
    • Fatman
    Carol Kottenbrook
    Carol Kottenbrook
    • Candy
    Melanie Kinnaman
    Melanie Kinnaman
    • Star
    Don Saffer
    Tiny Wells
    • Biker
    Robert Curtin
    • Beth's Father
    Henry Kendrick
    Henry Kendrick
    • Jake
    • (as Henry Max Kendrick)
    • Director
      • J.S. Cardone
    • Writer
      • J.S. Cardone
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews14

    6.1524
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    Featured reviews

    10pero88

    Great movie!

    I have seen that movie like a 100 times! And I must say that I love it! That is not because it is the biggest movie, but 4 the actors and the music in it! I loved it from the start when the bell rings in the morning 2 the end!!!!!!! If some one has the soundtrack-album, (if there is one) 4 this movie.... Please contact me! I would love 2 buy it!!!!!!

    Thats all........
    judex-1

    can't believe it's here

    This movie holds a special place in my heart for several reasons.

    1) it's pretty accurate about many things

    2) if you have been in a band, the travails of "Magic" may seem familiar

    3) it was filmed in Tucson, AZ. when I lived there, and 15 days of extra work paid for my move to Minnesota.

    4) I actually get a closeup during the big climax. (fat guy with single tall mohawk)

    I love this movie, but I don't claim it's all that good. The soap opera that passes for plot might be accurate, but it's not very well done. Some of the best scenes never made it into the movie, (another song, by another band apparently was totally cut.) It was fun to watch all the groupie chicks lining up outside Leif Garrett's dressing room every day, not to mention his frequent terrible cocaine jokes. When I moved here, it showed up on a local TV station, and the radio ads were hilarious ("They're putting their dreams on the line...for one night... in Thunder Alley")! I denied all involvement for years, but I'm past that now. Notable for a rare performance by Leif Garrett, and the only footage I know of, featuring Phoenix metal stalwarts "Surgical Steel" who manage some actual heavy metal (before the hair-metal glam took over). I can't say that it is all that well done, but Clancy Brown (before "Highlander"! nice guy too) does some nice work as a surprisingly forthright road manager.

    --Judex.1--
    10jcmccameron

    Awesome

    I love, love, love this movie! I had forgotten all about it until recently, but am so glad I went on e-bay and purchased it in VHS format, (the guy I bought it from included a burned DVD much to my pleasant surprise!) I was fifteen when I first saw this movie and it takes me back as if it were yesterday. Roger Wilson from Porky's is great, so is Scott McGinnis. But I have to confess that the only reason I saw this movie back in the day was because Leif Garrett was in it. That aside, the story line is great, the music is great, all the guys are great - even Clancy Brown. I get all warm inside when I watch this movie because it's so true to the era. And plus, Leif still looked great at this point in time. This movie won't disappoint if you're a music fan, especially an 80s music fan.
    dgolferd

    Great movie for rock band members!

    I just finished watching it again. I recorded it from HBO about 15 years ago. The tape is almost shot, but the movie still rocks. I'd love to find it on DVD. It's a classic rock and roll story. Band rises to the top...band member dies of a drug overdose....rest of band overcomes the loss and still rocks the big concert. Anyone who played rock and roll in the 80's will love this movie. Current teens may find the 80's attire and hair humorous.
    Paden33

    Excellent movie for those that have not seen it.

    I've seen this movie several times and enjoy it each time. It is not so much as the movie as it is the soundtrack, and from what I can tell this soundtrack has never been made avaliable for public release if you view the credits.

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Prince and Apollonia Kotero in Purple Rain (1984)
    Music

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      All guitar playing in the movie is done by Scott Shelly session guitar player and teacher. One of his most prominent students was a young Randy Rhoads.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Death Wish 4: The Crackdown (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Can't Look Back
      Written by Scott Shelly, David Batteau and Jeff Porcaro

      Sung by Roger Wilson and Leif Garrett

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    FAQ15

    • How long is Thunder Alley?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 1, 1985 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Thunder Warriors
    • Filming locations
      • Tucson Mountain Park, Tucson, Arizona, USA
    • Production companies
      • Cannon Films
      • Golan-Globus Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 51m(111 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

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