American Pop

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American Pop

R

1981

1h 37m

Musical

Animation

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

19 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

This animated trek across the musical landscape of the 20th century begins with young immigrant Zalmie (Jeffrey Lippa) arriving in New York City. He's addicted to show business, but an accident ruins his voice. He marries a stripper (Lisa Jane Persky) and their son, Benny (Richard Singer), becomes a jazz pianist. Although Benny is killed in World War II, his son, Tony (Ron Thompson), goes on to great success as a songwriter during the '60s, as does Tony's son, Pete (also Thompson), in the '80s.

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Seth Troyer

PopMatters

The entire Bakshi filmography is a campaign against business as usual, a full-on assault on the medium...

Oct 3, 2023

Full Review

Michael Talbot-Haynes

Film Threat

This is one of those flawless wonders where every single frame is perfect.

Rated: 10/10

Jul 5, 2022

Full Review

Peter Ackroyd

The Spectator

Although the plot, like the music itself, can be somewhat too strident, the animation is remarkably successful in delineating the sad geography of the human body and the massive backgrounds of American cities.

Mar 27, 2018

Full Review

Jeremy Heilman

MovieMartyr.com

This is a film that grandly overreaches, attempting to condense a century's worth of triumph and tragedy into ninety minutes. To a surprising degree it succeeds.

Rated: 62/100

Jul 18, 2012

Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

Has a wonderful soundtrack, but it fails to provide an actual story unless you look hard...

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 3, 2008

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Rated: 4/5

Oct 8, 2007

Full Review

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Heatherjoy K

Saw this in the movie theater in New York with my parents when it came out. I was 9? Loved it. Watched a couple of times since then but need to rewatch.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/05/25

Full Review

Wendell J

I have always loved this film. On e you get used to its unique animation stile, you can apreciate how glorious it is. A heart breaking examination of generational trauma in America, the music and stories explode with joy and wonder at every turn. And if it seems cliched at first, the accumulation of history becomes fascinating.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/03/25

Full Review

Eddie C

Saw this movie when I was in college in the early 90's. Love the soundtrack. I think it's a bad ass film. That's my personal opinion.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/25

Full Review

CodyZamboni Z

An immigrant family is involved in the history of American music from Broadway, jazz, 1960s, and modern techo rock, Uneven, Unremakable animation from Bakshi. Lots of hammy exaggerated voice acting, Kinda boring,

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/01/25

Full Review

Noe G

American Pop was a great Ralph bakshi film and it’s the most underrated animated film of 1981 and my rating is a 9/10

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/11/24

Full Review

AlphaSnail N

Fantastic soundtrack, animation, and vintage style, but lacking in interesting characters

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/05/24

Full Review

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Ralph Bakshi

Director

Ron Thompson

Tony

Mews Small

Frankie

Jerry Holland

Louie

Lisa Jane Persky

Bella

Jeffrey Lippa

Zalmie

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73%

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88%

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Synopsis

This animated trek across the musical landscape of the 20th century begins with young immigrant Zalmie (Jeffrey Lippa) arriving in New York City. He's addicted to show business, but an accident ruins his voice. He marries a stripper (Lisa Jane Persky) and their son, Benny (Richard Singer), becomes a jazz pianist. Although Benny is killed in World War II, his son, Tony (Ron Thompson), goes on to great success as a songwriter during the '60s, as does Tony's son, Pete (also Thompson), in the '80s.

Director: Ralph Bakshi
Producer: Martin Ransohoff, Ralph Bakshi
Screenwriter: Ronni Kern
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Columbia
Rating: R
Genre: Musical, Animation
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 13, 1981, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2012
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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