FM is less of a movie and more of a time capsule of album-oriented-rock radio in 1978.
I remember listening to rock radio back in the 1970s and early 1980s when I was a kid. The variety of the music one could hear on the airwaves back then would simply be unimaginable in today’s age of corporate ownership and per-determined playlists. FM, released theatrically in April, 1978, takes place during the heyday of the rock radio DJ.
Jeff Dugan (Michael Brandon) is the programming director and morning drive-time DJ at Q-Sky, one of the most popular radio stations in Los Angeles. Dugan prides himself on treating his audience like friends. The motley crew of DJs at the station also bring their personalities to their shifts. There’s Mother (Eileen Brennan), the matronly evening jockey; The Prince of Darkness (Cleavon Little), the overnight soul man; Doc Holiday (Alex Karras), the cowboy; and Eric Swan (Martin Mull,) who prides himself on his “artistic” mixes.
New sales manager Regis Lamar (Tom Tarpey) eyes huge profits and lines up a lucrative advertising deal with the Army. Dugan, however, balks at the idea of selling more airtime — especially to clients like the military — as it would dilute the station’s free-spirited identity. This puts him at odds with the station’s owners and could cost him his job.
Meanwhile, the DJs have their own issues. Mother is fed up with dealing with weirdos calling her during her shift and wants to quit. Doc Holiday’s ratings are trending in the wrong direction. Eric Swan desperately wants to be a television personality.
If that doesn’t sound like it’s much to build a film around, you’re correct. FM feels more like a series of loosely connected vignettes than a cohesive film. (The movie actually fades to black several times when a scene runs its course.) The plot may be under-powered but the cast is stellar and the soundtrack is outstanding. Two of FM‘s biggest highlights are separate live performances from Jimmy Buffett and Linda Ronstadt. Peppered throughout the movie are songs by Queen, Bob Seger, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Eagles, Foreigner, and Dan Fogelberg among others popular at the time. The title track by Steely Dan went on to become a bigger success than the movie from which it came. Tom Petty and REO Speedwagon also have extended cameos.
FM is the sole directing credit for John A. Alonzo, who was much better known as the cinematographer for films like Chinatown, Norma Rae, and Scarface. His use of reflected images in the studio glass and several scenes viewed silently through windows attest to his visual acuity. Unfortunately, for a movie billed as a comedy, there’s a distinct lack of humor. Only the antics of Martin Mull’s ridiculous Eric Swan have any success eliciting any solid laughs. The oddly shoehorned dramatic elements don’t feel genuine since there’s so little meat to the story and characters.
FM is less of a movie and more of a time capsule of album-oriented rock radio in 1978. Viewed in that light, FM is a real treat for those who grew up during that time period or love the music of the era. Today’s audiences might find it amusing that a supposedly rebellious radio station plays such middle-of-the-road music.
3.0 out of 5.0 stars
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