FM (1978) - A Movie That Could Never Be Made Today

Join us as I review 1978's FM, a movie that defines the attitude of the late 70's, rock, and radio.
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Music:
Steely Dan - "Dork Side of the Moon" FM Remix
Steely Dan - FM
Steely Dan - Kid Charlemagne

[@christheghostwriter]

This video reminded me of a joke I heard a radio DJ tell a few years back: "In honor of the recent passing of Glen Frey of the Eagles, we're playing 'Hotel California' every day for the last fifty years"

[@rEdf196]

I was 14 back then. It was the golden age of FM rock radio before MTV changed the game.

[@krismctopher7]

It's true that FM programing was much better. You had live DJs playing personal music choices and talking about music.

[@aquatarkus2022]

RIP Martin Mull.

[@VinylLP33]

One of my favorite movies ever. A snapshot of AOR radio in the late 70's.

[@robertduncombe7684]

Martin Mull was outstanding!

[@joemichaels4231]

I was 18...just graduated high school and we saw this movie 3 or 4 times in the theater....and the theme song.....CLASSIC!!!

[@user-wk9wq8yq5u]

I was 13 so I didn’t see it but the song FM is perfect with one of the best sax solos on a rock song. I loved it then and I love it now.

[@dhpbear2]

1:52 - It was referred to as 'AOR' (Album-Oriented Rock)

[@krismctopher7]

Yes. You had to listen to the same thing for more than three minutes. It was nuts!

[@TheGlobalProfessional]

This is one of my favorite Steely Dan songs.

[@edreid7872]

WKRP came out the same year..looks oddly familiar..

[@jasonnstegall]

I have often wondered if one may have inspired the other.

[@DWNicolo]

Yea and nay. Looks familiar but Hugh Wilson insisted to the day he died that WKRP was its own thing and had nothing to do or take from FM. Hugh Wilson was also happy when the movie flopped at the box office.

[@dangreene3895]

Yes they were very similar

[@krismctopher7]

Yeah. A carbon copy.

[@charadeyouare322]

I was thinking the same thing! There's a character (with a beard) who resembles program director Andy and one who must have inspired Dr. Johnny Fever!

[@leesagrrl]

Awesome Film. Lotsa Fun... I think FM wasn't on any official Steely Dan albums except a Best Of. I think it was written for the film. RIP Mr. Mull.

[@sonojon0]

A person I knew introduced me to this film when I was in music school and I’ll cherish that moment forever!

[@ericmiller3098]

Sophomore year in high school. Still have it all on vinyl. Outstanding music.

[@danielhixson3717]

I hadn't seen this movie since 78' maybe 79'. Just saw it again on KZbin, my wife and I sang every song. Except, of course, the first one that accompanied Duggan's run into the station. It was blacked out to silence, THANKS A LOT HENLEY...

[@kenmckinnell8153]

Seems kind of strange, since he allowed Seinfeld and Lebowski to actually make fun of Eagles tunes.

[@danielhixson3717]

@@kenmckinnell8153 REALLY? He must've needed a new pool at his house.

[@jasonparks4631]

The blueprint for the “WKRP” sitcom that same year on CBS.

[@fj8623]

The late 70s was a strange time, post Vietnam and Nixon, plus oil embargo, inflation, unemployment. The mood became sarcastic and unserious, and filled with disillusion. But the tremendous evolution of music and its bends and trends was quite a time to live through. Rest well, Martin Mull.

[@theheroofthestory9330]

I saw this as a sophomore in college. They put up a screen in the student union center with a projector and would take time to change the reels. Best times of my whole life.

[@profdc9501]

This movie is a beautiful time capsule. Even if the movie is flawed, it just so perfectly captures the moment.

[@strothermartin5368]

Saw this at the Drive-in With Citizens Band double bill. Memories.

[@TWKozak-hs9bo]

The choices of music in the film would have been a perfect fit for K-Tel Records.

[@TenMinuteTrips]

“Not available in stores!”

[@conradpoos2859]

I was 14 when I saw this and remembered how badly the Linda Ronstadt footage was jammed into this film. But my God what a soundtrack.

[@John-pc3cx]

Saw this during Basic Training in 78. Premise was corny but the songs were great and the Linda Ronstad performance was simply awesome.

[@nilotranquilo9016]

One of my favorite films. It's like the alan parsons project album, I Robot, I can enjoy it numerous times, turn new people onto it and it remains great over decades of time.

[@timothykuring3016]

Martin Mull always appeared in weird, low budget, outsider movies. He was like a trademark for that sort of film. Yeah, the seventies were my teen years.

[@jjankosky]

I came across the vinyl a few years ago. Very clean copy for like $5. One of my favorite under the radar finds.

[@timothystockman7533]

I saw this movie in the theater when it came out. I would have seen it again, but there was a projectionist strike and when that was over, FM was gone.

[@user-qr7ee2cp4y]

Amazing amazing soundtrack... never seen the movie but would like to see it

[@creeder44]

I was working in radio when this movie came out, and I can assure you that even then, those of us who knew anything about radio thought the premise was utterly ridiculous. It might have been slightly more plausible in the late 60s, but by the late 70s FM radio was already thoroughly commercialized. The idea of the DJs taking over the station and playing "music for the people, man" with no commercials made our eyes roll. How did they think the electric bill would get paid with no ad revenue? Truly silly. Great soundtrack, though.

[@ThatsOnYoutube]

Public donations existed, ya know?

[@creeder44]

@@ThatsOnKZbin The movie wasn't about public radio.

[@ThatsOnYoutube]

@@creeder44 No shit, but did you see the crowd of people outside the radio station? Do you think they couldn't ask for money?

[@shyman99]

The best and most important part of this video is that you were there for your Mom when she needed you the most.

[@franzoidle7002]

I was 16 when this movie came out, growing up in Los Angeles. This movie(yes kinda cheesy at the time), but it really did hit the late 70’s zeitgeist. Thanks for this movie review.

[@leesagrrl]

I'm so sorry about your mom.

[@ehdeesign]

A buddy and I had a wild 85mph ride across south Los Angeles county to get to a Costa Mesa theatre in time to see this. Great times!

[@CCaceflyboy]

Saw this movie in the theater when it came out in 78. Enjoyed it then and still enjoying it today.

[@mikefromuniontown3809]

those who turned 13 in 1978 like Charlie Sheen and myself were GEN X 1st year becoming "teenagers". ALBUMS and FM STEREO with the little blue light that told you it was in STEREO. and it was just the best time. MUSIC as it turns out was the ESCAPE of the day. It was a place you went to get away from all the B.S. of teenage life. And you listened to all the yearly top 500 at new years eve. RADIO Then in August 1981 WE GOT MTV and heavy rotation was the talk. from 1978 10 1983 that 5 year span was a change in American Culture and entertainment like no other FIVE year period.

[@ThatsOnYoutube]

Yeah my dad has a Pioneer with the light.

[@DirectorsGarage]

The movie is "MEH" from a story standpoint, yet I enjoyed it for the nostalgia of how I remember radio and the DJs we all worshipped growing up. I own the soundtrack on vinyl from back in the day. You can't get it any longer since the licenses have long since expired. There were several movies post-copyright (and FM) that managed to pull together a decent soundtrack. Heavy Metal (1981) had a killer soundtrack. Fast Times at Ridgemont High also had a stellar soundtrack, though with maybe more trendy music than hits. The Big Chill (1983) had major hits, though mostly Motown-- one stop shopping and licensing-- probably got a package deal. More recently Guadians of the Galaxy (2014) pulled together an expensive collection.

[@ERICF66]

I saw this at the San Ramon Twin drive-in in Dublin, CA when it first came out. Since I was 12, a lot of what they were doing/talking about flew right over my head, but I loved all the music! Heard it all the time on my little clock radio tuned to KKIQ FM! 😁🎶🎶🔥👍🏽👊🏽❤️🔊

[@miggans21012]

I wasn't too familiar with the movie at the time but song FM (No Static At All) was all over the radio when I started Jr. High in Livermore CA. I used to listen to KKIQ all the time.

[@andrewmilesbroughton8222]

FM by steely Dan was awesome and the soundtrack remains a favourite. Never heard a soundtrack with soooo many great songs, even Cameron Crowe's "Almost Famous" can't compete! Nice video, might have to call the Arrow video people!!

[@adamjg4]

And now we're terrified to play any number of artist's songs on KZbin.

[@adamc1966]

Still love Steely Dan. This is one of their best songs 👍

[@toob1979]

I just watched the movie. It's like the producers wanted to make a documentary about the behind the scenes life of a successful radio station in the late 70s, but found out halfway through they didn't have enough material to complete it. They then hired someone who didn't know much about screenplays to hang one on the bones of their rock doc. How else could you explain a mini concert by Linda Ronstadt at the height of her fame bringing the plot to a screeching halt? To their credit, the cast acted the hell out of this film. Martin Mull in particular did a great job as Eric Swan, the cool guy who perpetually chased fame and women.

[@yournamehere6002]

All the good movies could never be made today. FM is a great movie.

[@johnpace2089]

I love this movie! Thanks for the video.

[@silviob1972]

Never knew this movie existed but I will buy it to watch it , but u said you're mom got u into this music for me it would be my brother, ON your other note sorry to hear on that....mom's are special as mine is that as well.... thanks for sharing

[@jdnelms62]

I forgot about this movie. I was a teenager when it came out, but never saw it. It does look very much like the inspiration for WKRP, which I was a huge fan of. WKRP obviously was an AM station, hence a great source of the humor in the show, since an AM station of that era would not have the budget to compete with the big 'album rock' FM stations.

[@maximusprime3459]

I believe VH1 used to play reruns of the TV series for awhile when they had The New WKRP, they played them back to back.

[@mickylawless1941]

FM wasn't a great movie, but just the same, it was a great movie. I saw it several times back in 78. Then I'd watch it every couple of years on vhs. The music was the real star. But second was Cassie Yates! Had such a crush on her back then.

[@thomastrout9997]

According to REELIN IN THE YEARS, by author Brian Sweet, Steely Dan agreed to pen the song because their new manager was a Producer on the film. Irving Azoff was the original Executive Producer of FM but asked for his name to be removed once filming was completed. This explains why the Eagles appeared on the soundtrack as well as some of the biggest artists at that time. Randy Meisner and Joe Walsh are each credited as solo artists as well.

[@ThatsOnYoutube]

Sounds like a once in a lifetime deal.

[@richtaylor6039]

I shit kittens when i heard it was released on DVD and the OST is one of my all time fave albums. A masterpiece.

[@alexanderdesmouceaux4395]

It's not much, but I recommend your channel on my podcast. Your work is amazing! Thanks always 💗

[@ThatsOnYoutube]

You got a link?

[@DavidPuddyThatsRight]

Awesome commentary, dude. Three thumbs up, and I've only got two. I have tickets to see The Dan in July. Fagan and Co. will no doubt play Kid Charlemagne and my fingers are crossed they'll play the soundtrack to this movie, which I patronized in its day as a 21-year-old college kid in 1978. Would love to see it again. Maybe I'll figure a way to do so. Anyway, thanks for THIS, brother. Excellent!

[@ThatsOnYoutube]

Email me [e-mail] and I'll hook you up.

[@wxsawxsa2941]

Memor{es Class of 1978 Dallas TX Thanks TOYT⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@pgaven9396]

This one got remastered and released on Arrow Blu-Ray...amazingly loaded with features...highly recommwnded.Thank you for sharing the memory of your mom❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@waynesmith2287]

I'm from New Zealand the only country where the soundtrack went to No 1 and was the 13th largest album of 1978.

[@bwware]

The main reason this movie couldn't get made today is because the music was so much better back then. I know I'm a little late with this comment but that was a nice story about your mom. Positive vibes buddy.

[@Garch-the-Great]

Seems to be largely forgotten that from 1978-80, Hollywood RELENTLESSLY tried to capitalize on Saturday Night Fever's success by integrating popular music with movies (Sgt Pepper, TGIF, Goin' Coconuts, Xanadu, American Hot Wax, Idolmaker, Can't Stop the Music, Roadie, The Apple, etc.). Grease was a hit, and a few have become cult classics, but most (like FM) have fallen into obscurity.

[@ThatsOnYoutube]

But what about the CB Radio movie craze?

[@Garch-the-Great]

@ThatsOnKZbin Ah yes, the trucker movies. Citizen's Band, Convoy, Flatbed Annie, High Ballin', Roadie (again!)... but I think the only one anybody really remembers is Smoky & the Bandit. Damn, I'm an old nerd.

[@aisle_of_view]

Dazed and Confused had the same number of songs. 1992 flick.

[@chrisblair3819]

Your mom likes Steely Dan? She's a great lady. Nice video.

[@richardmurphy9006]

And everyone looks well with hair super shiny and jeans were ironed

[@kenperkins7921]

said! If you keep your eyes open, you will see a young Tom Petty, a fresh, Linda Ronstdat, the guys in REO SPEEDWAGON, A YOUNG JIMMY BUFFET AND MORE!

[@DWNicolo]

With FM your mileage may vary. With the music a definite time capsule what was playing on commercial radio. By this time the commercialization of FM radio had taken hold. The whole DJ rebellion harkened back to the late 1960s when the DJ’s were more forceful personalities in California and New York City radio. Sadly something you’’d never see today. American DJ’s are just plug in automatons. Still, the movie has its moments especially Martin Mull, Norman Lloyd, Cleavon Little and Eileen Brennan’s performances stand out. The movie also harkens back to an era which was ending where anything and everything could be made and released into the movie theaters.

[@charlesroberts8803]

Mongo and the sheriff from Blazing saddles are DJs in it.

[@GeoHvl]

HBO too, was new also, HBO played this movie several times a month. It’s a great movie.

[@bryanburnap4537]

I remember that

[@jnnx]

It’s really not a “great movie”, but it makes sense now why so many lame movies come out now that people think that coked-up forgettable, self-indulgent trash like this is now seen as “great” through the eyes of the nostalgia goggles. . .

[@jensoettrich762]

WHO streams it ? ….

[@burtbacarach5034]

Had the album on * track (yeh I'm that old) IIRC the tape was around $15 USD in 1979. Man that was a looong time ago,

[@brianthomas2434]

I remember a local FM deejay in NYC laughing at the premise. At that time and AFTER the Department of Defense was running undisguised, straighten adverts on rock stations. The Sixties had been over for some time. Never saw the film. My real take is the theme is possibly the worst thing Steely Dan released.

[@keith2059]

Hello That's On KZbin, Thank you for this video! High school, going Tower Records, music, and friends! FM, perfect movie! Good memories! Hope you (That's On KZbin), your family, friends and everyone else are well and enjoying life! Take care, be safe, and peace out!

[@robertmclean9737]

Before FM there was AM and KOMA a powerhouse radio station Oklahoma City Oklahoma was a good one

[@islandbee]

Sorry to hear about your mom. Although, it's awesome that she enjoyed hearing that music from your phone. I was born in 75, and grew up with basically a house full of teens. Me being the youngest of 8 kids. I vividly remember listening to music all the time on the radio. But, it was on the AM dial. Because that was most cars came with. A radio with only AM. Always remembered songs getting interrupted going through an under pass. Now we can play music on our phones. 🤯

[@KenMinor-ek1xs]

That's what I grew up with.

[@richarddeese1087]

Network (1976). FM (1978). UHF (1989). tavi.

[@meganhussey972]

I discovered the soundtrack in a friend's record collection and was hooked--and when the film was shown on VH1, I eagerly tuned in. I liked it overall--the cast, the insider knowledge of the music business, the performance clips. But the humor, as you said, was hit and miss--I guess I was expecting something hilarious, like WKRP. But it was a pretty good flick--and, of course, the music was great!

[@ThatsOnYoutube]

Thank you for watching!

[@LSqrd1960]

Just a fun fun movie, and a great soundtrack, I was 18, and it was a great time to be 18...

[@jamiesiple7703]

this is wkrp in cinninnati too

[@JW-jl8iq]

The awesome movie and what a great movie. I was 14 years old when this movie was out. I have a license plate with those call letters

[@user-mi8wc8we6j]

I want to know how were you able to use the song FM did you contact somebody or did you just use it? I ask because I plan on making film reviews with music in the background how did you do it?

[@ThatsOnYoutube]

Well, the version I used it remixed with Pink Floyd so it's not easily recognized. You're going to get noticed for using copyright music when you go to upload a video. You can't ask for permission, they won't allow it. You just have to hope they let it slide and don't try to copyright strike you. The worst thing copyrighted music use did to me was prevent the video from being seen in certain areas of the world. The next thing it always does is prevent you from making money on the video. But my art is more important than a few dollars so I don't care.

[@rickyparker1990]

This was back in the day when a concert ticket was reasonable. Now you have to mortgage your house just to go see your favorite band.

[@terryhall3960]

There used to be a time around 20 years ago where just about every garage sale and charity shop had an LP of the soundtrack - probably because it's one of the best classic rock compilations ever made. But how often do you find someone who has seen the actual movie?

[@ThatsOnYoutube]

Very interesting! I had never heard of it before a few years ago. I inherited about 500 LPs, I wonder if it's in there...

[@Garch-the-Great]

Yup, from the 80s-early 2000s, the soundtracks for this, Saturday Night Fever, Sgt Pepper, Grease, and Xanadu were absolutely ubiquitous anywhere that records were available for resale -- along with Englebert Humperdink's Greatest Hits.

[@terryhall3960]

​@@Garch-the-Great Along with all of Pat Benatar's albums. And all going for about 50 cents each, I'll bet. Now they want ten bucks even for Engelbert, because everybody's latched onto the idea that if it's vinyl, it's got to be worth a packet.

[@Garch-the-Great]

@terryhall3960 Oh God, yes, I'd forgotten all about Pat Benetar! Plus Dolly Parton's '9 to 5 and Odd Jobs.' And I was typically picking up used vinyl for a quarter, until recent years when it skyrocketed.

[@bobrew461]

Love the movie, and recall when it came out. But, it contradicts itself when Dougan and Co. talk about not "selling out" to the Army and other advertisers. AND THEN showcasing some of the most commercial rock acts of the 1970s: Linda Rondstadt! The Eagles! Queen! The actors and Soundtrack make it memorable, especially that intro. Luv from the UK. :-0

[@thomasrobinson182]

It was made because they producers could AFFORD the music rights. I like the movie for what it is, although it's painful to think that music like this doesn't exist, free-form radio doesn't exist and corporations dictate what is broadcast.

[@DestinyFilmWorks]

Irving Azoff was one of the executive producers which explains why some of the artists appear in the movie..By the way..I also have this on Blu-Ray and VHS..

[@user-le8ds6cl6q]

first venture of Irving Azoff into films as producer. maybe that explains the access to all this great music. especially the Eagles and Steely Dan. he was (still is) their manager

[@jasonnstegall]

And also Dan Fogelberg - he was the one Azoff hung his hopes on along with Joe Walsh. Once both were introduced to the guys in Eagles, the rest is cliché.

[@AndrewLoukidis-jr2bp]

It was a great time, from what I remember

[@codyjames1952]

I was 21 years old win i saw it in a drive in me and my girl love it

[@tonystidham4564]

I saw this movie at a theater in Grand Rapids, MI that no longer exists

[@russelljdj]

This movie was loosely based on the WBCN strike.

[@randyventresca4152]

Linda Ronstadt alone makes it worth while.

[@dougeldredge]

i saw it the other night , free, on you tube , its a cool flic

[@dangreene3895]

I was 23,24 years old when this movie came out it was a pretty popular movie , it was a movie made up of a series of sketches, with a bare thread of a plot .

[@gregoryjgarcia3862]

The movie illustrates FM rock formats changing from free form play lists to corporate schills.

[@jnnx]

It’s so weird to have a movie based around an “independent” radio station that plays major label COMMERCIAL MUSIC POP HITS. It’s a complete fantasy.

[@ThatsOnYoutube]

It's weird to have movies.

[@ThatsOnYoutube]

I'm pretty sure it was just a money laundering gig for drug dealing.

[@alman54]

Q Sky wasn't an independent station. They were owned by conglomerate that owned eighteen stations.

[@kenmckinnell8153]

If you worked in Radio I think you'll agree that Eileen Brennan's character was pretty dang accurate.

[@ThatsOnYoutube]

Did you work in radio?

[@kenmckinnell8153]

@@ThatsOnKZbin Yes, I did.

[@TrevorMom]

The truly stupid thing about the copyrighting stuff is that in TV shows like That '70s Show, they had the right to use the music ONLY during original airing. Streaming services use different music, but the closed captions have the lyrics of the song used in the original episode.

[@ThatsOnYoutube]

Yep, bought some DVDs with awful placeholder music...

[@m1t2a1]

No static at all. Two songs were released in the movie.

[@allanalogmusicat78rpm]

Martin Mull steals this movie! R.I.P.

[@michaelpatrickhamilton3384]

Have this movie on VHS like to get on DVD 👍

[@ronjames756]

Too bad ya can't find the movie anywhere...😪

[@fredoswego]

dvd and blueray on amazon right now

[@careywestbrook9102]

Its on Amazon. I just got the Blu Ray

[@dhpbear2]

...and don't forget 'Saturday Night Fever'!

[@jimmiesmith5811]

Thank God its Friday too

[@billhobbs7077]

FM was the last year you could use music like this??? Erm didn't Heavy Metal come out 2 yrs later?😊😊

[@ThatsOnYoutube]

I don't recall saying it was the last year you could use music like this.

[@toddboughn5168]

Mediocre movie, amazing soundtrack.

[@Internetfm]

Oh, I remember this film very well. I worked in radio at the time. My favorite bit was this exchange at the Jimmy Buffet concert scene. Regis Lamar: I'm gonna make you the first five million dollar grosser on the west coast. Every account in the country. Wall to wall commercials! Jeff Dugan: Too bad we can't get rid of the music all together. Lamar: Yeah! ---------- Please come see us at InternetFM - the good old days are back! And no commercials. Yeah!

[@kestrelhawkins8728]

Also WHY IS IT SO HARD TO FIND???

[@bobrew461]

It's on Blu Ray. Easy to find.

[@GHOSTGXZ]

how can you not like foriegner? June box hero, hot boooded are great songs

[@ThatsOnYoutube]

Very poppy, over-produced sounds, lyrics are too sexual, all hooks and no substance.

[@troynov1965]

One reason this movie couldnt be made today is because Hollywood is full of no talent hacks.

[@DanJackson1977]

Such an edgy, original and totally non hacky thing to say. Are you one of the writers of 2 and a Half Men?

[@troynov1965]

@@DanJackson1977 Calm down Sparky you might spill your Soy.

[@davidmitchell6873]

Back in my day we would drink six martinis and smoke a pack of new ports while we watched great cinema like fm. Dem was days when us fellas had it made.

[@dbelex]

@@DanJackson1977 I believe he has spoke for 90% of us.....go vote for Biden

[@crypttonite]

politicized remarks by boot lickers who think they aren’t licking too calling Hollywood talentless is beside the point. Anyone with eyes & ears could see it. When u understand all media is a tool of Military Intelligence & other Control Agencies then u begin to pull the plug. Hollywood is a propaganda machine & mdntioning ANY CLOWNS or potential bozo to sit in the WH is r e t a r d e d. They are all actors too! Only in charge your reactions. CIA wrapped up that Office in 1972. They own it, they’re just tools too. The same can be said of all the Top SS, Actors Gay & Jewish. Rump is Jewish.