A stand alone one hour episode of an anthology drama series that rocketed Tommy Sands to fame. He plays a pop idol who is a little like Elvis Presley (side burns, a southern accent, controlling manager) but also a lot like the singer in The Jazz Singer (dad is a preacher who wants Sands to go back to God).
It's not bad drama - we meet Sands at the height of his fame, he hears his father is dying, he goes home, dad asks him to do God's work and dies, he reconnects with his childhood sweetheart.
Some roles are meh - the sweetheart (who just kind of sits and listens to Sands monologue and gets offended when he tries to kiss her) and the all-wise all-tolerant... assistant I think it is, some middle aged dude who seems to be the conscience of the piece.
Better value are the characters of Sands' pop star, and also manager, played by Fred Clark in an unsympathetic role. Clark's character is mean and ruthless but is given a strong point of view - he's put a lot of work into Sands' career, he grew up with religion and hates it. I really liked the ending where Sands agrees to go along with Clark but the execs are warned (not Clark, oddly) that Sands one day will stand up for himself. It's a lot more believable.
Sands acquits himself quite well - not a great actor, but not bad. It's a fantastic part and he can sing. Some decent scenes and Paul Bogart directs well. Sands sings "Teenage Crush" which became a hit song.
This was filmed as Sing Boy Sing.
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