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Play trailer FM PG Released Apr 20, 1978 1h 44m Musical Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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20% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Los Angeles radio station QSKY tops the ratings charts by playing the best music with little advertising. When the corporate higher-ups push for more commercials, radio station manager Jeff Dugan (Michael Brandon) refuses to comply, which sends sales manager Regis Lamar (Tom Tarpey) running to the bosses. Dugan quits in defiance, but his loyal disc jockeys -- including Mother (Eileen Brennan), Eric Swan (Martin Mull) and the Prince of Darkness (Cleavon Little) -- protest with a lock-in.

Critics Reviews

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Time Out Dugan, who's heavily into the music biz, is against commercials on commercial radio (but since QSKY pumps out an endless stream of Ronstadt, the Eagles and Queen, wouldn't a few mindless jingles go unnoticed?) Jan 26, 2006 Full Review Janet Maslin New York Times A preposterously self-serving variation on 1960's themes. Rated: 1.5/5 May 9, 2005 Full Review Keith Phipps AV Club It gets the standard rock-movie formula backwards by trying to base a revolution around some of the safest, least revolutionary music in the history of rock. May 30, 2001 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy The "us against the establishment" plotline is hoary and silly, and the movie fares better when it focuses on specific character incidents rather than any greater themes. Rated: 2.5/4 Jul 20, 2019 Full Review TV Guide Mull, as a spaced-out DJ, steals the show, emanating energy with which neither the other actors nor the music can compete. Rated: 2/4 Aug 14, 2013 Full Review Richard T. Jameson Parallax View FM, for all its ingratiating players, is an unredeemable mess that can't even make it to simplistic. Apr 21, 2010 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (21) audience reviews
Wendie K This movie was never intended to be a serious film. I saw it in the theatre, the music was so good I bought the soundtrack. It's definitely intended to make you laugh for in between the music which was great, if you were in the right frame of mind. It's a stoner movie. It was the 1970's and we'd just survive disco. The next thing we knew we were watching WKRP in Cincinnati, which was just a comedy, not a stoner show. ( Police Squad was.) Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member Great for someone like me who grew up in that era.The music cloths and all that great 70's stereo stuff. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/24/23 Full Review Audience Member loved this movie. I was a senior in high school and what a great soundtrack Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Although there were a few good scenes, it's mostly over-the-top melodrama and comedy. But the soundtrack is awesome!! Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/19/23 Full Review Audience Member A lot more fun than I expected. Much preferred over it's competition at the time, WKRP In Cincinnati. Fun movie with great music ! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member The soundtrack from this movie is awesome! The film is pretty good but predictable. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis Los Angeles radio station QSKY tops the ratings charts by playing the best music with little advertising. When the corporate higher-ups push for more commercials, radio station manager Jeff Dugan (Michael Brandon) refuses to comply, which sends sales manager Regis Lamar (Tom Tarpey) running to the bosses. Dugan quits in defiance, but his loyal disc jockeys -- including Mother (Eileen Brennan), Eric Swan (Martin Mull) and the Prince of Darkness (Cleavon Little) -- protest with a lock-in.
Director
John A. Alonzo
Producer
Rand Holston
Screenwriter
Ezra Sacks
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Musical, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 20, 1978, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 16, 2019
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Surround