American Pop
Short description
American Pop follows four generations of a Jewish family that emigrates from Russia to the United States, tracing their lives alongside the development of American popular music across much of the twentieth century. Each male descendant in the family has his own musical gift, and the men carry their ambitions through two world wars and the changes sweeping the country around them. The story centers on Zalmie, Benny, Tony and Pete Belinsky, whose paths repeatedly bring them close to the music industry without guaranteeing them the success they seek.
Ralph Bakshi directed the film and produced it with Martin Ransohoff, from a screenplay by Ronni Kern. It was released in February 1981, arriving between The Lord of the Rings and Fire and Ice in a run of animated features that also includes Fritz the Cat and Wizards. The voice cast includes Ron Thompson, who plays Tony and Pete, Lisa Jane Persky as Bella, Jeffrey Lippa as Zalmie, Frank De Kova as Crisco and Roz Kelly as Eva Tanguay, among 53 credited performers.
On a budget of about 2 million dollars, the film took roughly 6 million dollars worldwide. On IMDb it holds a critics' rating of 5.9 out of 10 from 20 reviews, while on TMDB it has a rating of 6.9 out of 10 from 129 votes, indicating that general viewers have responded somewhat more favorably than critics.
What's left behind the scenes
- The film tells the story of pop music in the USA in the 20th century. Only music by American groups and performers is used, with the exception of the British band The Sex Pistols.
- All characters are fictional, but some are based on real people. Frankie, for example, is based on Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane) and Janis Joplin (1943-1970) (Big Brother and the Holding Company).
- Some scenes with gangsters were taken from William A. Wellman's gangster film "The Public Enemy" (1931).
- The film's title is a homograph. The word “pop” has two meanings. First, it is an abbreviation for “American popular music,” and second, “pop” means “father.” The film tells the story of four generations of American fathers.
- The song “Sing Sing Sing With a Swing” features the Nicholas Brothers from the film “Broadway Melody of 1940” (Norman Taurog, 1940). The Nicholas Brothers were a dance duo consisting of Fayard (1914-2006) and Harold (1921-2000).
- Zalmi’s mother died in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City on March 25, 1911. This was the largest industrial disaster in history. 146 workers perished, including 123 women (most of whom were immigrants). They either burned to death or died from falling after jumping from the upper floors of the building, while the factory doors were locked. It was in the wake of this tragedy that labor legislation was amended.
- With a few exceptions, rotoscoping was used for the rest of the filming (a technique where the figures of all characters are traced from live actors).
- Rotoscoped images of James Cagney (1899-1986) and Jean Harlow (1911-1937) dancing were inserted into the ballroom dance scene when Bella performs “Bill”.
Auditions in India
Casting calls in USA
Castingi w Polsce
Кастинги в Україні
