Eddie and the Cruisers (1983) Movie Script
Eddie! Eddie! Eddie!
Eddie! Eddie!
dark side's calling now,
nothing is real
she'll never know
just how I feel
from out of a shadow,
she walks like a dream
make me feel crazy,
make me feel so mean
nothin' gonna save me
from a love that's blind
slip to the dark side
across that line
on the dark side
oh, yeah
on the dark side
oh, yeah
dark side's calling now,
nothing is real
she'll never know
just how I feel
from out of a shadow,
she walks like a dream
make me feel crazy,
make me feel so mean
nothin' gonna save me
from a love that's blind
slip to the dark side
across that line
on the dark side
oh, yeah
on the dark side
oh, yeah...
In the summer of '63,
on the dark side
Was the number one song
in the country.
It's even bigger now.
that's Joann Carlino.
She was Eddies girl.
sally plays the bass.
Wendell on sax.
Kenny on drums.
guy on piano
was frank ridgeway.
He wrote all their lyrics.
Called him the Wordman.
on the dark side
oh, yeah
Wendell...
that was
august of 1963.
Died of
a heart attack.
He was only 37.
March 15, 1964.
It was a little
after 5 a. M.
Eddie's car went off
the Raritan bridge.
Must've been
a hell of an accident.
Who says accident?
You saying
he was murdered?
Could've been
a suicide.
All right, so what's
our hook gonna be?
What about the idea
that Eddies still alive?
You mean
"Eddie lives"?
It's possible.
They never found his body.
I get it.
Eddie swam away
from the car,
Had Jim Morrison waiting
for him on shore,
And then Amelia Earhart
flew them both to Paris
Where they're all
living together in sin.
Look, there are a lot
of holes in this story.
Now, something was
going on with that group,
Something that nobody
knows anything about.
Get to the point,
Maggie.
Did you ever hear of a poet
named Arthur Rimbaud?
French lit. 105.
It was required.
Ok, kiddies,
You want to sit back
in your seats and listen?
Sure.
"A season in hell.
"A spiritual and
confessional autobiography.
"Arthur Rimbaud
was a genius.
"His writings
were a quest.
"A search for perfection.
"An attempt to find
total freedom.
"At the age of 19,
"Arthur Rimbaud
committed suicide,
Not of the flesh,
but of the mind and soul. "
What's that
supposed to mean?
It means he never
wrote another word
And disappeared
off the face of the earth.
He was not seen
nor heard from again
For nearly 20 years,
Until he reappeared
in a hospital in Marseilles
On his deathbed.
Maggie,
it's a terrific story.
I just don't see
What this has got to do
with Eddie Wilson.
You know where Eddie
was coming from
The night of the accident?
He was coming
from a recording studio
Where he just finished
taping an album.
You know what the name
of that album was?
A season in hell.
So what you're saying
Is that Wilsons
pulling a Rimbaud?
I don't know, but if he is,
We've got ourselves
one hell of a story,
Don't we, guys?
You think you can
get your hands
On those tapes?
I went to satin records
yesterday.
I figure that the master
had to be sitting
In their vault.
I wondered why they never
released this album.
You know what I found out?
The tapes are missing.
Someone checked them out
on march 16...
The day after Eddie
supposedly died.
And that's going
to be our hook.
...on the jersey side
of the Holland tunnel,
The jersey turnpike,
and the...
sidewalk surfers
ride the streets
in supervans
fires light the faces
of the gypsy caravans
open up your door
we'll let those
lake pipes roar
into the
wild summer nights
oh, baby, those
wild summer nights
summer nights
wild summer nights
oh, baby, run wild
summer nights
run wild
summer nights
back on the charts again,
Eddie and the cruisers,
doing wild summer nights
From their hit album,
tender years.
And this is Scott muni at n. E.W.
Hey, Mr. Ridgeway!
Hey, nice catch.
"... and so
I dared to hope...
"though changed,
no doubt, from what I was
"When first I came
among these hills.
"When like a roe,
I bounded o'er the mountains
"By the sides of the deep rivers
and the lonely streams,
"Wherever nature led.
"More like a man
"Flying from something
that he dreads
And one who sought
the thing he loved. "
So, what's wordsworth
getting at?
He's saying
that places stay the same,
But people change.
Ok, do people change,
or don't they?
Now that's worth
talking about.
All right.
Have a nice weekend.
And remember, I don't want
to see any of your faces
For at least 48 hours.
as I walk alone
I wonder
what went wrong
with our love
a love
that was so strong
and as I
still walk on
I think of
the things we've done
together
while our hearts
were young
Im a-Walkin'
in the rain
tears are fallin'
and I feel the pain
wishin' you were
here by me...
The big time!
to end this misery
I wonder
I wo-Wo-Wo-Wo
wonder
why...
Joann!
she ran away
and I wonder
where she will stay
my little runaway
my run, run, run,
run, runaway
Hi.
Hi.
Im a-Walkin'
in the rain
tears are fallin'
and I feel the pain
wishin' you were
here by me
to end this misery
I wonder
I wo-Wo-Wo-Wo
wonder
why
why, why, why,
why, why...
Can I help
you guys?
I wonder
Yeah. Tell tony
Eddie and the cruisers
are here.
she got a love
that'll get you down
people let me
put you wise
she goes
out with other guys
I got the moral
of the story
from a guy who knows
I fell in love but my love
still grows, now
ask any fool
that she ever knew
a-Keep away
from a-Runaround sue
keep away
away from
that girl, now
you know what
she'll do
a-Runaround sue
whoa-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh
whoa-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh
hey, hey
keep away
from that girl, now
All right!
Yeah! All right.
Wendell, you're on
the keyboards on this one.
Hey, big bopper,
where you going?
You gotta listen
to my new song.
You're the one
who knows what goes.
Hey, sally, never
bullshit a bullshitter.
You make the music.
I make the deals.
Get some sleep.
Let's get on
with the music.
1, 2...
1, 2, 3, 4!
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou wah-Oo
wah-Oo wah-Oo
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
well, she walked through
a shoe store
picked out a shoe
tried on a 12,
but that wouldn't do
Betty Lou, Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou got
a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou wah-Oo
wah-Oo wah-Oo
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Hold it!
Hold it!
Wait a minute!
Wait a minute!
What's the matter?
What's the matter?
Where you racing to?
Where's the fire?
No fire. That's the way
the song was written.
It goes that way...
Upbeat.
What's the problem?
The problem is
is Im just saying words.
You know, you gotta
give me a little room,
So people know
what Im singing about.
You lose the beat,
people miss a step.
We want 'em
to dance.
Lose a beat,
miss a step...
what are you,
a moron, Sal?
You believe this guy?
Look, Sal,
I like your stuff,
But it just ain't
what I was looking for.
You understand?
Forget it. You had
your mind made up
Before you even started.
So what am I
knocking myself out for?
Look, I don't want
to argue with you, Sal.
You want to get another
opinion on the subject?
No! Forget it.
Joann,
what do you think?
What are you
askin' her for?
Why not ask her?
She's got a brain.
I don't know anything?
She knows, huh?
Everybody you bring in this
band's an expert except sally.
Sally's just a dumb
guinea, right?
You dumb guinea.
Hey, kid, come here.
Who, me?
Yeah, you. Come here.
Now, you heard what
we're talking about.
What do you think?
Well, I think
he's right.
I think it needs
a caesura.
See? My way,
with a caesarean.
A what?
Tell him.
What's your name?
Frank.
Tell him, Frankie.
A caesura?
That's
a timely pause,
A kind of
a strategic silence.
That's exactly right.
If you want, Ill
give you an example.
Ahem. Ok.
"One evening
"I took beauty
in my arms,
"And I thought
her bitter,
And I insulted her. "
Sounds like shit,
right?
Ok, wait a minute. Now Ill
do it with the caesura.
"One evening I took
beauty in my arms...
"and I thought
her bitter...
and I insulted her. "
Now, that's got class.
Does that have class,
sally? Right?
Hey, kid,
you can stay.
Ahem.
Excuse me.
Oh.
Can I help you?
Maggie Foley.
I work for
media magazine.
I'm doing a story
on Eddie Wilson.
I thought you might
be of some help.
Well...
what do you
want to know?
Well, Id like you to
tell me about the past.
I want to know
what it was like
To be a cruiser.
Miss, uh...
Maggie.
I'm sorry. It's nothing
personal in this.
I'd like to help you.
I really would, but...
frank, there are a lot
of unanswered questions
About that day.
Yeah, well, I understand
what you're up against,
But that was then,
and this is now.
I don't care
to be interviewed.
Look, frank,
I'm not here to make
a carnival out of your life.
Now, I have something
very different in mind.
I am going to do a tribute
to a group of guys
Who were ahead
of their time.
You don't understand.
The night Eddie died,
The cruisers
died with him.
Frank, what happened
that last night
At the recording
studio,
The night
that Eddie died?
There's no way on earth
Id go into that with you.
Frank, why not?
Maybe...
maybe because
Eddies dead,
And Im alive.
He was my friend,
And you,
I just met.
Hello.
Wordman!
Who is this?
This is the master
of voices,
Maker of choices...
Your old buddy.
You don't remember.
Doc?
Hey there, Wordman,
say there, Wordman,
Whatever happened
to you?
What you been up to?
It's been
a long time, doc.
It sure has, kid.
So, uh, what's up?
You need me,
Wordman.
You need me bad.
Is that right?
We got to talk.
How soon before you
get your ass over here?
Well,
where are you?
Right back
where we started, kid...
Asbury park.
All right,
you near-Beer fans,
Remember
mock-Bird, ing-Bird,
Charlie and Inez fox,
summer '63?
Well, James Taylor
and Carly Simon
Are betting you don't.
My man, my man,
the Wordman!
Long time, kid.
Doc, how you been?
The hits
just keep on coming.
Hey, you haven't
changed much.
Still a kid.
Don't bother
returning the compliment.
Give me that stuff,
will you, frank?
Sit down.
Hey, man, this joint
ain't as bad as it looks.
I mean, the pay ain't bad.
You can't beat the hours.
Besides, there's
a college nearby.
They're telling me Im becoming
quite a cult figure around here.
Doc, that's great.
So, did you
ever write that book?
No.
I never got
around to it.
So, what did you
ask me here for?
What's so urgent?
You talk to that chick
from media magazine?
Guess you know
what's been happening
With the cruisers lately.
Something's busting, kid,
and it's busting fast.
The way I see it,
Eddies my ticket out...
and yours.
Doc...
we did one album,
12 cuts.
You're making a big
deal out of nothing.
I'll tell you
about nothing.
Nothing's what we got on
the reissue of the old album.
After Eddie died,
I sold the rights all back
to Lew Eisen, that bastard.
Remember him?
There's nothing I can
do about that now.
But this movie thing, man...
you heard about
the movie deal, right?
The Eddie Wilson story.
The way I see it, they got
to have a script, right?
They got to have locations,
period stuff, stuff like that.
That's where we come in...
Technical consultants.
They got to come to us.
I mean, who else they got?
And there's more.
There's got to be parts
in there for both of us.
I mean, not that we should
necessarily play ourselves.
Doc, it sounds
like you can't miss.
I wish you all
the luck in the world.
Hey, kid...
I guess
I lost my touch.
I can't convince you,
who can I convince?
Listen, frank,
give me a ride home.
My car's kind of
out of commission.
Besides, there's something
I wanna show you.
Sure, doc.
Any way you wanna play.
I was thinking, frank.
Hmm?
I mean,
it's just an idea.
I know you're gonna hate it.
What is it?
I was thinking about bringing
the group back together.
"Eddie and the cruisers,
featuring Sal Amato,
Appearing nightly
at 8:00 and 11:00."
Dig this.
I checked him out last week.
He's got this
Eddie Wilson look-Alike.
No, he ain't half-Bad.
He's starting to make a little
noise, but you know sally.
The kid's a nickel and dime
operation.
Now, here's my plan.
I figure we
get rid of the losers
And bring on
the cruisers.
You, the clone,
sally, Kenny,
Some dude on sax,
and the chick...
Joann.
Yeah, right, Joann.
I hear she's back,
you know?
She was out in Vegas.
Caesar's palace.
Where is she now?
Over around wildwood.
I hear she's choreographing
at one of the big hotels
On the boardwalk.
I get the group
back together, right?
Get a little seed money,
Get some publicity,
right clothes,
Open up at the right joint
at the right time,
And, Frankie,
we come back big.
Eddie and
the original cruisers.
Hey, why not
do a James dean?
Hit the junkyards,
Blowtorch Eddies car
into little pieces
For the tourist trade.
Only do me a favor.
Leave me out of it.
I'm sorry, kid.
It's ok. Forget it.
Shit.
They may look like shacks
on the outside,
But you'll be surprised
at the interior.
Maid's day off.
This was waiting for me
when I got home last night.
Looks like we got
the same decorator, doc.
They got my place
this morning.
It's like
the old joke.
Hmm?
We might
be paranoid,
But it don't mean
they ain't after us.
Who is they?
Music lovers.
Why?
We must have
something they want.
What?
Can't you
figure it out?
No.
Well, try.
What could we have
that's worth stealing,
My Robert hall suit?
Your wilkinson blades?
Oh, come on, doc.
Give me a break.
What are they after?
The tapes.
Season in hell.
A touch of class
for tony mart's.
Thanks.
What's this?
Poetry?
Yeah.
Rimbaud.
You know
anything about him?
Sure.
Um...
he was quite
disreputable.
Mean...
perhaps even ruthless
and perverse.
"A tortured soul... "
"But still... "
One of the greatest poets
that ever lived.
Would you like it?
No, thanks.
I got to go.
Here.
Take it with you.
A present.
I'll just
borrow it.
Ok.
See ya.
Joann was telling me
you write music.
Thinks you might be good.
I'll give you a try.
What I want
is songs that echo.
The stuff we're doing now
is like...
somebody's bedsheets...
Spread them out,
soil them,
Ship them out to laundry,
you know?
But our songs...
I want to be able to...
fold ourselves up
in them forever.
You understand?
That's the most you'll ever
get out of me, Wordman.
Ever.
Ladies and gentlemen...
the holiday inn
is proud to present
A group that's
been bringing us hits
For nearly 18 years.
How about a big hand
for some jersey boys
Who really made good...
Eddie and the cruisers,
Featuring Sal Amato!
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou wah-Ooh
wah-Oo wah-Ooh
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
What do
you want, pal?
I'll have a pabst.
she cracked up over
the style and fit
walkin' down the street
with a brand-New kick
Betty Lou,
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou wah-Ooh
wah-Ooh wah-Ooh
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
she walked
in the shoe store
picked out a shoe
Hi.
Oh, hi.
I have
a table down front.
Would you like
to join me?
No...
if sally
knew I was here,
He's just crazy enough
to call me up on stage.
Didn't you tell him
you were coming?
I wasn't sure what
his reaction would be.
I interviewed him
between shows.
He said some very nice
things about you.
He told me that you were
Some kind of genius
with words,
Regular whiz kid.
Frank, why did you
come here tonight?
I just wanted to see
how things turned out
For an old friend
of mine.
Is that all?
I guess I also
wanted to see
How things might've
turned out for me.
Can I buy you a drink
after the show?
Maybe.
Ok.
the dark side's
calling now
nothing is real
she'll never know
just how I feel
from out of the shadows
she walks like a dream
make me feel so crazy,
makes me feel so mean
nothing's gonna save me
from a love that's blind
the dark
side's calling now
nothing is real
she'll never know
just how I feel
from out of the shadows
she walks
like a dream
makes me feel crazy
makes me feel
so mean
nothing's gonna
save me
from a love
that's blind
slip to the dark side
across that line
on the dark side
oh, yeah
on the dark side
oh, yeah
Not bad.
What?
I said not bad.
Not bad?
Eddie,
what's with you?
The kid can't play.
He can't sing,
And he can't write.
So what's not bad?
He's got
something we need.
Like what?
Words and music,
doc.
Words and music.
All right. Now let's
get on with the music.
See what Im doing?
Do it
like Im doing.
It's rock 'n' roll.
Right? Do that.
No, no. Like this.
Like this.
Relax,
loosen up.
Did he say
not bad?
Ha ha ha!
all right?
Come on.
Oh, they're right.
I can't do this.
No, man.
Now come on.
Just concentrate.
It's easy. It's
like getting laid,
Or riding a bike.
Come on.
See? Loosen up.
Get your hands
up there.
That's it,
come on.
Go!
Go, go!
you got it,
Frankie. Yeah.
Yeah!
You got it.
Yeah!
Yeah!
Get down there.
dark side's calling now
nothing is real
she'll never know
just how I feel
from out
of the shadows
she walks
like a dream
make me feel crazy...
You on vacation,
or what?
nothing's gonna save you
from a love that's blind
slip to the dark side
across that line
on the dark side
oh, yeah
on the dark side
oh, yeah
nothin's gonna save me
from a love that's blind
slip into the dark side
across that line
ooh,
on the dark side
oh, yeah
on the dark side
oooh, yeah
That was the memory lane
voice of Eddie Wilson,
The original sound
of the cruisers.
I'd like to take you
On another little
journey now.
How many of you remember
that old feeling...
Sand in your shoes,
Ants in your pants,
Secret weapon
in your wallet?
That's you, right?
Yeah.
How about the feeling
of that magic, magic night?
The first time.
How many of you
remember that?
I want to see
a show of hands.
Come on.
Ah.
Slow dancing,
submarine races...
hickeys.
How about those wild nights?
You were cruising
with your favorite girl.
The top was down, and
the music was blasting.
Hmm?
That was
the inspiration behind
Wild summer nights.
1, 2, 3, 4!
wild summer nights
oh, baby, those
wild summer nights
summer nights
wild summer nights
oh, baby, run wild
summer nights
strangers cruisin' down
the south strip
cool cats searchin'
for some hot lips
night shift,
neon ribbons flash forever
rebels lace midnight
in black leather
shipwrecked pirates claim
their treasures in the sand
sidewalk surfers ride
the streets in super vans
beach fires light the faces
of the gypsy caravan
open up your door
we'll let
those lake pipes roar
into the wild
summer nights
oh, baby, those
wild summer nights
wild summer nights
oh, baby, those
wild summer nights
oh, baby, run wild
summer nights
run wild
summer nights
All right.
when the moon
hung soft and low
catchin' stardust
in the night
you held me
closer and closer
there was magic
in the night
a sweet love song,
a melody
that I still
can recall
two young hearts
filled with dreams
to walk away
with it all
whoa-Oh,
tender years
won't you wash away
my tears?
how I wish
you were near
please don't go,
tender years
a summer love,
a beach romance
salty kisses
in the sand
two young hearts
filled with fire
lost
in never-Never land
whoa-Oh,
tender years
won't you wash away
my tears?
how I wish
you were near
please don't go,
tender years
whoa-Oh,
tender years
won't you wash away
my tears?
how I wish
you were near
please don't go,
tender years
All right!
All right!
Eddie Wilson is a part
of yesterday, sure he is,
But he's as much a part of
this group today as I am.
You know, we're still
together, him and me.
And never a day passes
That I don't think
he's around somewhere...
Out in the street,
around the corner,
Not far away at all.
forever
they will haunt me
but what can I do
those oldies
but goodies
reminds me of
you
you
you
you
you
The cruisers
with Sal Amato.
Let's give 'em a big hand.
Once more for this
really great group.
Ladies and gentlemen,
here they come.
Here they are.
Take a bow, sally.
Ok. Thank you very much.
Don't go away.
Stick around.
There'll be dancing
till dawn
To the keyboard sounds of
our very own Regina Lewis.
Thank you.
Son of a bitch.
Son of a bitch.
Look what comes walking
through the door!
Wordman himself!
Just like Ive been
telling everybody,
When you're hot,
you're hot.
Where have you been
hiding yourself, Wordman?
Teaching high school
in Vineland.
I never left
the garden state, Sal.
No lie?
No.
Sit down. Sit down.
I used to wonder
about you.
Yeah?
Yeah.
I figured maybe you
moved to California,
Were writin'
for movies
Under an assumed
name, or somethin'.
Want a beer?
Hey, thanks.
Mmm... Wordman?
Hmm?
I just got interviewed
for television
By media magazine.
Yeah.
They had
a whole crew here.
They had lights and
cameras. Everything.
That's great, Sal.
What did
you talk about?
Me.
Are you hungry?
Want a slice?
Nah.
No, no, no, no.
You know what she really
wanted to talk about?
Those old tapes...
season in hell.
She said something about 'em
being missing.
Wanted to know if I
knew where they were.
What'd you tell her?
I told her
I don't have a clue.
For all I care, they could've
gone down with Eddie.
You understand?
Sally, you were
on those tapes, too.
They find those tapes,
what's in it for me?
I just about broke my fingers
trying to play that stuff.
Well, they must
be worth money.
Somebody's willin'
to pay for 'em.
But we ain't gonna
see a dime from that.
They'll find a way
to screw us.
They always do.
Guys like you and me,
They strike oil
under your garden,
All you get
is dead tomatoes.
I get the picture.
It's still Eddie,
isn't it?
They could care less
about me.
It's more Eddie
they want.
Ah, sally.
Hey.
You ever wonder what it
might have been like
If he was still around?
I used to wonder.
It ate me up.
I figured Eddie was
my one shot at the bigs.
I thought we could go
all the way together.
After he died,
I got crazy.
Some nights it's like
Eddies still alive...
and I get mad at him
all over again.
I'm mad at him
for living.
And Im mad at him
for dying...
the dumb way
that he did.
Sure, it gripes me
When I think about how
big we could've been.
the time is right
you hold me tight...
We signed
a $50,000 contract
To do another album.
That was a lot of money
in those days.
They gave us
a $10,000 advance,
And the offers
started pouring in.
They all wanted
the cruisers.
We were on such a high.
We thought we'd
never come down.
Anyway, one night
doc was reading off
The list
of potential dates,
And I heard him mention
Benton college,
My old school.
Nobody wanted to go,
and the money was short.
Also, Eddie felt that it
wasn't our kind of place,
That we wouldn't fit in.
But I wanted to go.
Oh, god,
how I wanted to go.
do you believe this?
oh, man.
I didn't know we were
going to summer camp.
You know,
there's 600 guys here
That haven't seen a girl
since new year's.
They bring them by train,
by car, by the busload.
Cattle cars,
they call 'em.
Sounds like
zoo parade.
Moo!
Whinny!
round them up!
Move them out!
South Philly
was never like this.
come on, you guys.
Get off my back.
strike one!
hello, girls.
stop it, stop it.
look at this.
It's an ice cream
convention, man.
Oh, they're going to
sacrifice a cricket.
no. They're
gonna sacrifice you.
How does it feel
to be home, Frankie?
Look at this.
What do
we have here?
A real group
of pistoleros.
Hey, Wordman.
This shindig tonight...
how are we
supposed to dress?
Hey, wait a minute.
What's the big deal?
We've played
colleges before.
Yeah, sure.
We played St. Something
Down in Delaware,
Fairly ridiculous
up in Madison,
But we ain't
never played
No finishing school
like this.
This is a mistake.
We don't
belong here.
These people
are different.
I'm telling ya,
they're gonna eat us up.
They're just a bunch
of college kids,
No better than you.
Hey! I didn't
say better.
I said different.
You ought
to remember that.
What do you think?
What do I think?
I'm scared to death.
Aw, hell, Joann.
Come on.
When I graduated
from high school,
I asked my guidance counselor
what he thought I should do.
He talked about
being a beautician,
Or a typist,
or a nurse.
That was already
reaching for the moon.
The whole time,
he was checking me out.
"Here's a ripe one.
"Doesn't matter
what kind of job you get
"Because in a year you'll be
married and pregnant
"With the first of six,
"And they won't be
college material
Any more than you are,
cookie. "
Case closed.
Hey, listen.
These people,
they're way behind you.
I don't think
they think so.
Hey, ridgeway! Frank!
What are you doing?
Livingston,
how are you?
Ok. This is frank ridgeway,
my old roommate.
This is Lois Wilkes.
Hi, Lois.
Joann Carlino.
How you doin'?
Keith Livingston.
Nice to meet you.
So, what, are you up
for the weekend?
Yeah.
Rites of spring?
Yeah.
Well, that's perfect.
Know who's playing
tonight at the dance?
They've got the cruisers.
You know, the mean-Assed
black group out of Newark,
The cruisers.
Oh, yeah.
I heard of them.
You know,
when that Lois girl
Asked me where did I
go to college,
I didn't know
what to say.
You told her you work
in the city. Fine.
And whether we were
pinned or lavaliered?
Hey, look...
you're good enough
to be here.
You mean
Im good enough for you.
That's it, isn't it?
Sometimes I think
you're too good.
How do
you know Im not?
I didn't mean that.
Eddie said "different. "
Yeah.
Thanks for the date.
Are you
being sarcastic?
No.
You're welcome, then.
Let's go back.
Showtime yet?
I'll just change
into my other stuff.
No.
It'll only
take a minute.
I said no.
You stay like that.
Hey, man.
You got some
fine college here.
All the advantages.
You got ivy walls,
Lecture halls,
Full-Dressed balls,
And you got the cruisers
for the nasty stuff.
For the get-Down music
and the hanging tough.
Better grab a woman.
Don't mention your name,
Because after tonight,
She'll never
be the same.
When lights go out,
and the clock winds down,
Better find me a woman
to go downtown.
No hand-Holdin' baby
who'll nip and tuck.
I want a girl up the street
who knows how to...
I need a woman's
special touch
I need a lover's
soul trust
I want you, baby,
you know it's true
there's just one thing
I won't do for you
you'll never see me
get down on my,
down on my knees
ooh, baby,
Im a live wire
a loaded pistol,
Im ready to fire
you know I want you
by my side
but I ain't beggin',
I got my pride
you'll never see me
get down on my,
down on my knees
all I need
is to set my soul free
all I want is you
to walk the line with me
oh, darlin', yeah
you give me lovin',
makes my blood run hot
I want you, baby,
Ill never stop
ooh, baby,
you're my one desire
Im a man
that you can't deny
you'll never see me
get down on my,
down on my knees
yeah
get down on my,
down on my knees
yeah
down on my,
down on my knees
Do you like
rock 'n' roll?
Do you need
rock 'n' roll?
All right. Cool out.
Sit down. Sit down.
Come on. We gotta cool out
before we can get runnin'.
I wanna thank you people
for making the scene.
The show's
just startin' now.
I'm gonna come clean.
I'm gonna present
the cruisers one by one.
On drums, just going
through a phase,
Kenny Hopkins.
On sax, the bruiser...
Mr. Wendell newton.
On bass,
long, tall sally Amato.
And last but not least,
Your favorite
and mine...
Joann Carlino!
Hey, Eddie,
you forgot somebody!
Who did I forget?
The guy on the piano!
Ridgeway!
Oh! Oh, yeah.
On piano...
we got, uh...
Toby Tyler.
Stage name,
show business nom de plume.
He's that little boy
who ran away from home
And joined the circus,
isn't he?
He snuck into the tent
without a ticket
So he could see
all the wild animals inside,
The savage beasts,
the clowns, the freaks.
Let's hear it,
everybody,
For Toby Tyler!
All right, here we go!
Light up those lights!
your mama said
she don't like it
she don't like
that rock 'n' roll
oh, mama, mama
mama,
you just don't know
I don't wanna
hang up
my rock 'n' roll shoes
well, I get
that feelin'
every time
I hear them blues
the music's
got the beat
that will
keep you alive
the kids
are rock 'n' rollin'
from 8 to 85
and I don't wanna
hang up
my rock 'n' roll shoes
well,
I get that feelin'
every time
I hear them blues
The next day,
I told him
I was leaving,
And Id take
the bus back.
What did he say?
He said,
"ok. Sure, go ahead.
"I'll just
call up the union
And have them send
someone else over. "
Like so much
busted plumbing.
Then he asked me
to take a walk with him.
He didn't say anything
for the longest time.
Then he turned to me,
and he said...
"Wordman...
"we need each other.
Words and music. "
Then he crossed
his fingers
Showing how they
go together.
"Remember...
words and music. "
So you stayed.
Yeah.
I stayed.
But season in hell...
frank, how much influence
did Rimbaud have on Eddie?
Looking for ghosts?
Maybe.
You don't really think
Eddies still alive, do you?
I guess not.
But what about
the coincidence
Of season in hell?
Frank, what happened
to those tapes?
Hey, look.
It didn't work.
The record company
hated it.
They never released
the album.
Frank, I want to get
ahold of those tapes
And play them
on my show.
Let's let them
be heard.
Let the people decide
whether they're any good.
I don't know
where they are.
Honest.
I'd like to find them
as much as you would.
Frank...
is that why
you stopped writing?
Because they told you
you weren't any good?
Words and music,
remember?
Without Eddie,
There wasn't
any more music.
Good night, Maggie.
Good night, frank.
Im serious.
Doc wants to get
sally's band and us
To go back
on the circuit again.
the guy's
out of his head.
It's them old songs,
old memories.
They'll make you
crazy, man.
Just a phase,
huh, Kenny?
Yeah, sure.
We had some fun
times for a while, huh?
I liked being on top.
What's not to like?
You're out there in
the back of the caddy,
Balling some chick,
you know.
One of our tunes
come on the radio...
whoa! I mean, who was
better than me, right?
There was something special
about that time, you know?
I miss it.
You don't fool with
the memories, huh, Frankie?
I'm not so sure
I can stop.
Ok.
Ok, but if you're
gonna do that,
Then you gotta
take a look
At the whole story,
man.
I mean, there were
bad times, too...
The fights,
the arguments,
The hassles.
I mean, things,
Im sure,
You've forgotten
all about...
Toby Tyler.
Did he play hell
with you that night?
Yeah.
Yeah, right. You
remember Sal and doc
At each other's
throats?
Eddie and Joann
Not being able to
talk to each other.
Nobody talking
to each other.
Remember
Wendell dying?
Remember that?
I remember.
Yeah, right.
Heart attack, right?
Man, you still don't
know what went down.
What are you
talking about?
Where the hell
have you been?
Heart attack,
my ass!
What, you live
in a cloud?
It's time
you grew up.
Let's go.
Wendell.
Come on, Wendell,
let's go.
We've got to go, man.
Wendell.
Hey, Wendell.
Hey.
Stupid son of a bitch.
Uh...
the other day, I buried
one of my best friends.
He was the best sax player
I ever heard.
And they tell me
I gotta come up here
And entertain
you people now.
I don't think
Ill be able to do that.
aw!
when the moon
hung soft and low
catching stardust
in the light
you held me closer
and closer
there was magic
in the night
whoa-Oh,
tender years
won't you wash away
my tears
how I wish
you were near
please don't go,
tender years
Hi.
Hi.
God, you look great.
I just came
from a rehearsal.
Still, you
look terrific.
I'm so glad
you called.
I wanted to
so many times, but...
now, this revivial
of our music...
I couldn't help
thinking about you,
Remembering
the good times we had.
I just had to see you
again, Joann.
We had fun,
didn't we, frank?
Yeah.
You know, Ive never
been able to let go.
To let you go.
I'm glad
you're here.
Hey. You know,
Ive seen all the guys.
You did?
Yeah. Kenny's
in Atlantic city
Dealing blackjack
in one of the casinos.
Really?
Yeah. Doc's a Dj
back in Asbury park.
Did you see sally?
Oh, yeah. Yeah.
He's knocking them dead
With the oldies
but goodies.
Can you believe he's
still playing Betty Lou?
Only now he's finally
doing it his way.
Without the caesura.
Yeah.
How do you feel, them
playing our old songs
On the radio again?
I guess it's fun,
but, you know,
The strangest things
have been happening lately.
I keep getting
these phone calls.
I pick up the phone,
And someone plays
tender years.
Then they hang up.
A couple times a day.
And last week, somebody
broke into my house.
They got
my place, too.
And doc's.
What's going on?
Who is it?
It's got to be
those old tapes.
Season in hell.
I see the writing
on the wall
ivory towers
bound to fall
voices whisper
in the wind
I can hear them callin'
love is the fire
burnin'
and I wanna burn
darkest hour
before the dawn
times we know will...
What the hell
are you doin'?
I've heard enough.
Just relax.
There's nothing can't
be fixed. Am I right?
This won't fix.
This is a disaster.
You wanna be a poet?
Try Greenwich village.
Lew, listen.
Another couple of weeks.
We can work...
Doc, take 6 weeks.
I still wouldn't know
what to do with it.
You want to know
what you can do with it?
I'll tell you
what you can do with it,
You son of a bitch!
Hey, I put up 10 grand,
And I expect something
for my money.
This is what Ive been
waiting a year for...
A bunch of jerk-Offs
making weird sounds?
You're not gonna see
a red penny.
Easy, Eddie.
Now, hey, wait,
come on, man.
Hey, listen, Lew,
He's under pressure
since Wendell died.
Let me talk to him.
you ain't
talkin' to nobody!
Look, we'll
work somethin' out.
Bullshit!
Doc, don't
do me any favors.
I don't need this.
Lew! Lew! Lew!
Shit!
Are you crazy?
We had the money
in our hands, and you blew it.
You blew it!
Hey, come on!
Eddie...
you're wrong.
You're wrong!
Now listen to me.
I love you.
I've known you
longer than anyone else.
But you're wrong.
They want
on the dark side!
What are we giving 'em,
some damn opera?
I don't know even know
what you're after.
I want something great,
I want something
that nobody's
Ever done before.
Why? We ain't great.
We're just some guys
from jersey.
If we can't be great,
then there's no sense
In ever playing music
again, Sal.
I blame this on you.
It was you!
We were doing good
till you came along,
And you got us
all screwed up!
Eddie, wait!
Eddie, the music's great.
Those guys are wrong.
It really is.
Eddie,
what is this place?
I used to hang out here
when I was a kid.
There used to be
this old guy
Who owned the place.
What a dreamer.
He would sift
through the garbage
And put aside
bits and pieces.
Come on. I'll show you.
Come on.
He actually believed
That you could
build a castle
Out of
a bunch of junk.
What a crock.
Holy shit.
What a phony.
Here we are, guys.
Right where we belong.
You got your edsels...
norges...
Dumonts...
and Eddie Wilson.
Together at last,
Creating our own
incredible monument...
to nothing.
Here's to nothing,
fellas!
Here's to nothing!
there were
so many things
I wanted to say to him,
So many questions
I wanted to ask.
But Eddie and I,
we had a deal.
We never talked
about the future.
We thought the present
was so fine.
Why ruin it
by planning ahead?
But as Eddie drove off,
I knew...
I knew it then...
there wasn't going
to be any future.
In the morning,
They told me
Eddie was gone.
They hadn't
found his body.
That was always
the hardest part to accept.
I know you're gonna
think Im crazy,
But I have to
tell you something.
Last night
there was a car
Sitting in my driveway.
A '57 Chevy.
Just like Eddies...
Joann, that car was destroyed
in the accident, remember?
I know,
but whoever it was
Must've seen me
looking out the window.
He blinked
his headlights
High, then low,
then high again...
just like Eddie.
It can't be.
It can't be him.
Well, who then?
Who?
It's not Eddie.
Whoever it is
that's watching
Is looking to cash in
on those tapes,
But it is not Eddie.
Frank...
I know where
those tapes are.
After the accident,
I had to say good-Bye
in my own way.
I went to satin records,
Got the tapes,
And drove back
to palace depression.
Take me there.
Watch your head.
Are you there?
Yeah.
Hold my hand.
Come on.
there.
give me a light.
See it?
I feel something.
It's in a box.
A wooden box.
I got it.
Let's go. Come on.
There's gonna
be a left soon.
Just past
the gas station.
There's some of you,
you know.
Yeah, I see.
That one was
always my favorite.
Hello.
when the moon hung
soft and low
there was stardust
in the night...
Who is this?
you held me closer
and closer...
Damn it,
who is this?
Oh, frank.
Oh.
No, don't.
It's ok.
It's ok.
That's it!
Huh?
It's Eddie!
He's coming over.
That's our signal.
It means get ready.
I...
I have to go.
He'll be here
any minute.
I got to go.
Oh, frank, Im sorry.
I got to go.
Eddie.
It is you.
Yes. Yes.
Sure, I have them.
Yes.
I'll be waiting.
Yes. Yes. Eddie.
I'll be alone.
Yes. Oh, hurry.
Please, hurry.
Frank?
Frank!
Hey, baby,
what's the holdup?
Eddie?
Come on, let's
get on with the music.
Frank!
Frank!
What are you doing?
Frank, don't! Don't!
Son of a bitch!
You... you!
Ok. Ok.
Ok, ok.
why did you do this?
Short cuts, kid.
I never could do things
the easy way.
Oh, doc.
Why this whole game?
The car business?
I figured...
Joann had the tapes.
I knew she wasn't
gonna give them to me.
Maybe you, Wordman.
Maybe she'd
give them to you.
What would you do if you
had the tapes, doc?
Try me.
Just try me.
I'd have it made.
For once
in my life...
Id bring home
a winner.
I'd like that.
I once asked Eddie
why he kept you around.
You know what he said?
He said,
"doc's a dreamer.
And the world
needs dreamers. "
He was the only
real friend I ever had.
Yeah.
Here.
Go on, kid.
Your ticket
to the bigs.
Come on, take them.
I'm gonna do this
for all of us.
I mean that.
I'll make you
proud of me.
Listen, Im gonna
make the sweetest deal
You ever heard.
They don't know it yet,
But they're gonna be
dealing with doc Robbins,
The big bopper!
And Im gonna be coming
on strong, staying long.
Talking loud
and drawing a crowd.
Hey, man...
Eddie and the cruisers,
coast to coast.
I ain't just
talking jersey!
Go get 'em, doc!
Let's go inside.
dark side's calling now,
nothing is real
she'll never know
just how I feel
from out of the shadows
she walks like a dream
makes me feel crazy,
makes me feel so mean
well, nothing's gonna save me
from a love that's blind
slip to the dark side
across that line
on the dark side
oh, yeah
on the dark side
oh, yeah...
the innocence
of the fifties was over,
And so was rock 'n' roll
as we knew it.
We were entering
a new age.
An age of confusion,
An age of passion,
of commitment.
Eddie Wilson
saw it coming.
Season in hell
Is a total innovation
for its time.
It was a signal
of greatness yet to come.
Eddie Wilson was
a step ahead of us,
And I don't think we've
caught up with him yet.
Eddie's been dead
for almost 18 years,
But his music
is as alive today
As the day he recorded it.
For me and for everyone
who listens to music,
Eddie Wilson lives...
and always will.
fire
fire
love is the fire
burnin'
and I wanna burn
Eddie! Eddie!
Eddie! Eddie!
Eddie! Eddie!
Eddie! Eddie!
Eddie! Eddie!
Eddie! Eddie!
Eddie! Eddie!
Eddie! Eddie!
can you see the light?
Can you hear the sound?
can you feel this
whole world turning 'round?
can you see the light?
Can you hear the sound?
can you feel this
whole world turning 'round?
can you see the light?
Can you hear the sound?
can you feel this
whole world turning 'round?
can you see the light?
Can you hear the sound?
can you feel this
whole world turning 'round?
can you see the light?
Can you hear the sound?
can you feel this
whole world turning 'round?
can you see the light?
Can you hear the sound?
can you feel this
whole world turning 'round?
can you see the light?
Can you hear the sound?
can you feel this
whole world turning 'round?
can you see the light?
Can you hear the sound?
can you feel this
whole world turning 'round?
can you see the light?
Can you hear the sound?
can you feel the...
strangers cruisin'
down the south strip
cool cats searchin'
for some hot lips
night shift neon
ribbons flash forever
rebels lace midnight
in black leather
shipwrecked pirates claim
their treasures in the sand
sidewalk surfers ride
the streets in super vans
beach fires light the faces
of the gypsy caravan
open up your door
we'll let those
lake pipes roar
into the
wild summer nights
oh, baby, those
wild summer nights
summer nights
wild summer nights
oh, baby, those
wild summer nights
oh, baby, run wild
summer nights
run wild
summer nights
when the moon hung
soft and low
catching stardust
in the night
you held me closer
and closer
there was magic
in the night
a sweet love song
a melody
that I still can recall
two young hearts
filled with dreams
to walk away
with it all
whoa-Oh,
tender years
won't you
wash away my tears
how I wish
you were near
please don't go,
tender years
Eddie! Eddie!
dark side's calling now,
nothing is real
she'll never know
just how I feel
from out of a shadow,
she walks like a dream
make me feel crazy,
make me feel so mean
nothin' gonna save me
from a love that's blind
slip to the dark side
across that line
on the dark side
oh, yeah
on the dark side
oh, yeah
dark side's calling now,
nothing is real
she'll never know
just how I feel
from out of a shadow,
she walks like a dream
make me feel crazy,
make me feel so mean
nothin' gonna save me
from a love that's blind
slip to the dark side
across that line
on the dark side
oh, yeah
on the dark side
oh, yeah...
In the summer of '63,
on the dark side
Was the number one song
in the country.
It's even bigger now.
that's Joann Carlino.
She was Eddies girl.
sally plays the bass.
Wendell on sax.
Kenny on drums.
guy on piano
was frank ridgeway.
He wrote all their lyrics.
Called him the Wordman.
on the dark side
oh, yeah
Wendell...
that was
august of 1963.
Died of
a heart attack.
He was only 37.
March 15, 1964.
It was a little
after 5 a. M.
Eddie's car went off
the Raritan bridge.
Must've been
a hell of an accident.
Who says accident?
You saying
he was murdered?
Could've been
a suicide.
All right, so what's
our hook gonna be?
What about the idea
that Eddies still alive?
You mean
"Eddie lives"?
It's possible.
They never found his body.
I get it.
Eddie swam away
from the car,
Had Jim Morrison waiting
for him on shore,
And then Amelia Earhart
flew them both to Paris
Where they're all
living together in sin.
Look, there are a lot
of holes in this story.
Now, something was
going on with that group,
Something that nobody
knows anything about.
Get to the point,
Maggie.
Did you ever hear of a poet
named Arthur Rimbaud?
French lit. 105.
It was required.
Ok, kiddies,
You want to sit back
in your seats and listen?
Sure.
"A season in hell.
"A spiritual and
confessional autobiography.
"Arthur Rimbaud
was a genius.
"His writings
were a quest.
"A search for perfection.
"An attempt to find
total freedom.
"At the age of 19,
"Arthur Rimbaud
committed suicide,
Not of the flesh,
but of the mind and soul. "
What's that
supposed to mean?
It means he never
wrote another word
And disappeared
off the face of the earth.
He was not seen
nor heard from again
For nearly 20 years,
Until he reappeared
in a hospital in Marseilles
On his deathbed.
Maggie,
it's a terrific story.
I just don't see
What this has got to do
with Eddie Wilson.
You know where Eddie
was coming from
The night of the accident?
He was coming
from a recording studio
Where he just finished
taping an album.
You know what the name
of that album was?
A season in hell.
So what you're saying
Is that Wilsons
pulling a Rimbaud?
I don't know, but if he is,
We've got ourselves
one hell of a story,
Don't we, guys?
You think you can
get your hands
On those tapes?
I went to satin records
yesterday.
I figure that the master
had to be sitting
In their vault.
I wondered why they never
released this album.
You know what I found out?
The tapes are missing.
Someone checked them out
on march 16...
The day after Eddie
supposedly died.
And that's going
to be our hook.
...on the jersey side
of the Holland tunnel,
The jersey turnpike,
and the...
sidewalk surfers
ride the streets
in supervans
fires light the faces
of the gypsy caravans
open up your door
we'll let those
lake pipes roar
into the
wild summer nights
oh, baby, those
wild summer nights
summer nights
wild summer nights
oh, baby, run wild
summer nights
run wild
summer nights
back on the charts again,
Eddie and the cruisers,
doing wild summer nights
From their hit album,
tender years.
And this is Scott muni at n. E.W.
Hey, Mr. Ridgeway!
Hey, nice catch.
"... and so
I dared to hope...
"though changed,
no doubt, from what I was
"When first I came
among these hills.
"When like a roe,
I bounded o'er the mountains
"By the sides of the deep rivers
and the lonely streams,
"Wherever nature led.
"More like a man
"Flying from something
that he dreads
And one who sought
the thing he loved. "
So, what's wordsworth
getting at?
He's saying
that places stay the same,
But people change.
Ok, do people change,
or don't they?
Now that's worth
talking about.
All right.
Have a nice weekend.
And remember, I don't want
to see any of your faces
For at least 48 hours.
as I walk alone
I wonder
what went wrong
with our love
a love
that was so strong
and as I
still walk on
I think of
the things we've done
together
while our hearts
were young
Im a-Walkin'
in the rain
tears are fallin'
and I feel the pain
wishin' you were
here by me...
The big time!
to end this misery
I wonder
I wo-Wo-Wo-Wo
wonder
why...
Joann!
she ran away
and I wonder
where she will stay
my little runaway
my run, run, run,
run, runaway
Hi.
Hi.
Im a-Walkin'
in the rain
tears are fallin'
and I feel the pain
wishin' you were
here by me
to end this misery
I wonder
I wo-Wo-Wo-Wo
wonder
why
why, why, why,
why, why...
Can I help
you guys?
I wonder
Yeah. Tell tony
Eddie and the cruisers
are here.
she got a love
that'll get you down
people let me
put you wise
she goes
out with other guys
I got the moral
of the story
from a guy who knows
I fell in love but my love
still grows, now
ask any fool
that she ever knew
a-Keep away
from a-Runaround sue
keep away
away from
that girl, now
you know what
she'll do
a-Runaround sue
whoa-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh
whoa-Oh-Oh-Oh-Oh
hey, hey
keep away
from that girl, now
All right!
Yeah! All right.
Wendell, you're on
the keyboards on this one.
Hey, big bopper,
where you going?
You gotta listen
to my new song.
You're the one
who knows what goes.
Hey, sally, never
bullshit a bullshitter.
You make the music.
I make the deals.
Get some sleep.
Let's get on
with the music.
1, 2...
1, 2, 3, 4!
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou wah-Oo
wah-Oo wah-Oo
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
well, she walked through
a shoe store
picked out a shoe
tried on a 12,
but that wouldn't do
Betty Lou, Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou got
a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou wah-Oo
wah-Oo wah-Oo
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Hold it!
Hold it!
Wait a minute!
Wait a minute!
What's the matter?
What's the matter?
Where you racing to?
Where's the fire?
No fire. That's the way
the song was written.
It goes that way...
Upbeat.
What's the problem?
The problem is
is Im just saying words.
You know, you gotta
give me a little room,
So people know
what Im singing about.
You lose the beat,
people miss a step.
We want 'em
to dance.
Lose a beat,
miss a step...
what are you,
a moron, Sal?
You believe this guy?
Look, Sal,
I like your stuff,
But it just ain't
what I was looking for.
You understand?
Forget it. You had
your mind made up
Before you even started.
So what am I
knocking myself out for?
Look, I don't want
to argue with you, Sal.
You want to get another
opinion on the subject?
No! Forget it.
Joann,
what do you think?
What are you
askin' her for?
Why not ask her?
She's got a brain.
I don't know anything?
She knows, huh?
Everybody you bring in this
band's an expert except sally.
Sally's just a dumb
guinea, right?
You dumb guinea.
Hey, kid, come here.
Who, me?
Yeah, you. Come here.
Now, you heard what
we're talking about.
What do you think?
Well, I think
he's right.
I think it needs
a caesura.
See? My way,
with a caesarean.
A what?
Tell him.
What's your name?
Frank.
Tell him, Frankie.
A caesura?
That's
a timely pause,
A kind of
a strategic silence.
That's exactly right.
If you want, Ill
give you an example.
Ahem. Ok.
"One evening
"I took beauty
in my arms,
"And I thought
her bitter,
And I insulted her. "
Sounds like shit,
right?
Ok, wait a minute. Now Ill
do it with the caesura.
"One evening I took
beauty in my arms...
"and I thought
her bitter...
and I insulted her. "
Now, that's got class.
Does that have class,
sally? Right?
Hey, kid,
you can stay.
Ahem.
Excuse me.
Oh.
Can I help you?
Maggie Foley.
I work for
media magazine.
I'm doing a story
on Eddie Wilson.
I thought you might
be of some help.
Well...
what do you
want to know?
Well, Id like you to
tell me about the past.
I want to know
what it was like
To be a cruiser.
Miss, uh...
Maggie.
I'm sorry. It's nothing
personal in this.
I'd like to help you.
I really would, but...
frank, there are a lot
of unanswered questions
About that day.
Yeah, well, I understand
what you're up against,
But that was then,
and this is now.
I don't care
to be interviewed.
Look, frank,
I'm not here to make
a carnival out of your life.
Now, I have something
very different in mind.
I am going to do a tribute
to a group of guys
Who were ahead
of their time.
You don't understand.
The night Eddie died,
The cruisers
died with him.
Frank, what happened
that last night
At the recording
studio,
The night
that Eddie died?
There's no way on earth
Id go into that with you.
Frank, why not?
Maybe...
maybe because
Eddies dead,
And Im alive.
He was my friend,
And you,
I just met.
Hello.
Wordman!
Who is this?
This is the master
of voices,
Maker of choices...
Your old buddy.
You don't remember.
Doc?
Hey there, Wordman,
say there, Wordman,
Whatever happened
to you?
What you been up to?
It's been
a long time, doc.
It sure has, kid.
So, uh, what's up?
You need me,
Wordman.
You need me bad.
Is that right?
We got to talk.
How soon before you
get your ass over here?
Well,
where are you?
Right back
where we started, kid...
Asbury park.
All right,
you near-Beer fans,
Remember
mock-Bird, ing-Bird,
Charlie and Inez fox,
summer '63?
Well, James Taylor
and Carly Simon
Are betting you don't.
My man, my man,
the Wordman!
Long time, kid.
Doc, how you been?
The hits
just keep on coming.
Hey, you haven't
changed much.
Still a kid.
Don't bother
returning the compliment.
Give me that stuff,
will you, frank?
Sit down.
Hey, man, this joint
ain't as bad as it looks.
I mean, the pay ain't bad.
You can't beat the hours.
Besides, there's
a college nearby.
They're telling me Im becoming
quite a cult figure around here.
Doc, that's great.
So, did you
ever write that book?
No.
I never got
around to it.
So, what did you
ask me here for?
What's so urgent?
You talk to that chick
from media magazine?
Guess you know
what's been happening
With the cruisers lately.
Something's busting, kid,
and it's busting fast.
The way I see it,
Eddies my ticket out...
and yours.
Doc...
we did one album,
12 cuts.
You're making a big
deal out of nothing.
I'll tell you
about nothing.
Nothing's what we got on
the reissue of the old album.
After Eddie died,
I sold the rights all back
to Lew Eisen, that bastard.
Remember him?
There's nothing I can
do about that now.
But this movie thing, man...
you heard about
the movie deal, right?
The Eddie Wilson story.
The way I see it, they got
to have a script, right?
They got to have locations,
period stuff, stuff like that.
That's where we come in...
Technical consultants.
They got to come to us.
I mean, who else they got?
And there's more.
There's got to be parts
in there for both of us.
I mean, not that we should
necessarily play ourselves.
Doc, it sounds
like you can't miss.
I wish you all
the luck in the world.
Hey, kid...
I guess
I lost my touch.
I can't convince you,
who can I convince?
Listen, frank,
give me a ride home.
My car's kind of
out of commission.
Besides, there's something
I wanna show you.
Sure, doc.
Any way you wanna play.
I was thinking, frank.
Hmm?
I mean,
it's just an idea.
I know you're gonna hate it.
What is it?
I was thinking about bringing
the group back together.
"Eddie and the cruisers,
featuring Sal Amato,
Appearing nightly
at 8:00 and 11:00."
Dig this.
I checked him out last week.
He's got this
Eddie Wilson look-Alike.
No, he ain't half-Bad.
He's starting to make a little
noise, but you know sally.
The kid's a nickel and dime
operation.
Now, here's my plan.
I figure we
get rid of the losers
And bring on
the cruisers.
You, the clone,
sally, Kenny,
Some dude on sax,
and the chick...
Joann.
Yeah, right, Joann.
I hear she's back,
you know?
She was out in Vegas.
Caesar's palace.
Where is she now?
Over around wildwood.
I hear she's choreographing
at one of the big hotels
On the boardwalk.
I get the group
back together, right?
Get a little seed money,
Get some publicity,
right clothes,
Open up at the right joint
at the right time,
And, Frankie,
we come back big.
Eddie and
the original cruisers.
Hey, why not
do a James dean?
Hit the junkyards,
Blowtorch Eddies car
into little pieces
For the tourist trade.
Only do me a favor.
Leave me out of it.
I'm sorry, kid.
It's ok. Forget it.
Shit.
They may look like shacks
on the outside,
But you'll be surprised
at the interior.
Maid's day off.
This was waiting for me
when I got home last night.
Looks like we got
the same decorator, doc.
They got my place
this morning.
It's like
the old joke.
Hmm?
We might
be paranoid,
But it don't mean
they ain't after us.
Who is they?
Music lovers.
Why?
We must have
something they want.
What?
Can't you
figure it out?
No.
Well, try.
What could we have
that's worth stealing,
My Robert hall suit?
Your wilkinson blades?
Oh, come on, doc.
Give me a break.
What are they after?
The tapes.
Season in hell.
A touch of class
for tony mart's.
Thanks.
What's this?
Poetry?
Yeah.
Rimbaud.
You know
anything about him?
Sure.
Um...
he was quite
disreputable.
Mean...
perhaps even ruthless
and perverse.
"A tortured soul... "
"But still... "
One of the greatest poets
that ever lived.
Would you like it?
No, thanks.
I got to go.
Here.
Take it with you.
A present.
I'll just
borrow it.
Ok.
See ya.
Joann was telling me
you write music.
Thinks you might be good.
I'll give you a try.
What I want
is songs that echo.
The stuff we're doing now
is like...
somebody's bedsheets...
Spread them out,
soil them,
Ship them out to laundry,
you know?
But our songs...
I want to be able to...
fold ourselves up
in them forever.
You understand?
That's the most you'll ever
get out of me, Wordman.
Ever.
Ladies and gentlemen...
the holiday inn
is proud to present
A group that's
been bringing us hits
For nearly 18 years.
How about a big hand
for some jersey boys
Who really made good...
Eddie and the cruisers,
Featuring Sal Amato!
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou wah-Ooh
wah-Oo wah-Ooh
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
What do
you want, pal?
I'll have a pabst.
she cracked up over
the style and fit
walkin' down the street
with a brand-New kick
Betty Lou,
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
Betty Lou wah-Ooh
wah-Ooh wah-Ooh
Betty Lou
got a new pair of shoes
she walked
in the shoe store
picked out a shoe
Hi.
Oh, hi.
I have
a table down front.
Would you like
to join me?
No...
if sally
knew I was here,
He's just crazy enough
to call me up on stage.
Didn't you tell him
you were coming?
I wasn't sure what
his reaction would be.
I interviewed him
between shows.
He said some very nice
things about you.
He told me that you were
Some kind of genius
with words,
Regular whiz kid.
Frank, why did you
come here tonight?
I just wanted to see
how things turned out
For an old friend
of mine.
Is that all?
I guess I also
wanted to see
How things might've
turned out for me.
Can I buy you a drink
after the show?
Maybe.
Ok.
the dark side's
calling now
nothing is real
she'll never know
just how I feel
from out of the shadows
she walks like a dream
make me feel so crazy,
makes me feel so mean
nothing's gonna save me
from a love that's blind
the dark
side's calling now
nothing is real
she'll never know
just how I feel
from out of the shadows
she walks
like a dream
makes me feel crazy
makes me feel
so mean
nothing's gonna
save me
from a love
that's blind
slip to the dark side
across that line
on the dark side
oh, yeah
on the dark side
oh, yeah
Not bad.
What?
I said not bad.
Not bad?
Eddie,
what's with you?
The kid can't play.
He can't sing,
And he can't write.
So what's not bad?
He's got
something we need.
Like what?
Words and music,
doc.
Words and music.
All right. Now let's
get on with the music.
See what Im doing?
Do it
like Im doing.
It's rock 'n' roll.
Right? Do that.
No, no. Like this.
Like this.
Relax,
loosen up.
Did he say
not bad?
Ha ha ha!
all right?
Come on.
Oh, they're right.
I can't do this.
No, man.
Now come on.
Just concentrate.
It's easy. It's
like getting laid,
Or riding a bike.
Come on.
See? Loosen up.
Get your hands
up there.
That's it,
come on.
Go!
Go, go!
you got it,
Frankie. Yeah.
Yeah!
You got it.
Yeah!
Yeah!
Get down there.
dark side's calling now
nothing is real
she'll never know
just how I feel
from out
of the shadows
she walks
like a dream
make me feel crazy...
You on vacation,
or what?
nothing's gonna save you
from a love that's blind
slip to the dark side
across that line
on the dark side
oh, yeah
on the dark side
oh, yeah
nothin's gonna save me
from a love that's blind
slip into the dark side
across that line
ooh,
on the dark side
oh, yeah
on the dark side
oooh, yeah
That was the memory lane
voice of Eddie Wilson,
The original sound
of the cruisers.
I'd like to take you
On another little
journey now.
How many of you remember
that old feeling...
Sand in your shoes,
Ants in your pants,
Secret weapon
in your wallet?
That's you, right?
Yeah.
How about the feeling
of that magic, magic night?
The first time.
How many of you
remember that?
I want to see
a show of hands.
Come on.
Ah.
Slow dancing,
submarine races...
hickeys.
How about those wild nights?
You were cruising
with your favorite girl.
The top was down, and
the music was blasting.
Hmm?
That was
the inspiration behind
Wild summer nights.
1, 2, 3, 4!
wild summer nights
oh, baby, those
wild summer nights
summer nights
wild summer nights
oh, baby, run wild
summer nights
strangers cruisin' down
the south strip
cool cats searchin'
for some hot lips
night shift,
neon ribbons flash forever
rebels lace midnight
in black leather
shipwrecked pirates claim
their treasures in the sand
sidewalk surfers ride
the streets in super vans
beach fires light the faces
of the gypsy caravan
open up your door
we'll let
those lake pipes roar
into the wild
summer nights
oh, baby, those
wild summer nights
wild summer nights
oh, baby, those
wild summer nights
oh, baby, run wild
summer nights
run wild
summer nights
All right.
when the moon
hung soft and low
catchin' stardust
in the night
you held me
closer and closer
there was magic
in the night
a sweet love song,
a melody
that I still
can recall
two young hearts
filled with dreams
to walk away
with it all
whoa-Oh,
tender years
won't you wash away
my tears?
how I wish
you were near
please don't go,
tender years
a summer love,
a beach romance
salty kisses
in the sand
two young hearts
filled with fire
lost
in never-Never land
whoa-Oh,
tender years
won't you wash away
my tears?
how I wish
you were near
please don't go,
tender years
whoa-Oh,
tender years
won't you wash away
my tears?
how I wish
you were near
please don't go,
tender years
All right!
All right!
Eddie Wilson is a part
of yesterday, sure he is,
But he's as much a part of
this group today as I am.
You know, we're still
together, him and me.
And never a day passes
That I don't think
he's around somewhere...
Out in the street,
around the corner,
Not far away at all.
forever
they will haunt me
but what can I do
those oldies
but goodies
reminds me of
you
you
you
you
you
The cruisers
with Sal Amato.
Let's give 'em a big hand.
Once more for this
really great group.
Ladies and gentlemen,
here they come.
Here they are.
Take a bow, sally.
Ok. Thank you very much.
Don't go away.
Stick around.
There'll be dancing
till dawn
To the keyboard sounds of
our very own Regina Lewis.
Thank you.
Son of a bitch.
Son of a bitch.
Look what comes walking
through the door!
Wordman himself!
Just like Ive been
telling everybody,
When you're hot,
you're hot.
Where have you been
hiding yourself, Wordman?
Teaching high school
in Vineland.
I never left
the garden state, Sal.
No lie?
No.
Sit down. Sit down.
I used to wonder
about you.
Yeah?
Yeah.
I figured maybe you
moved to California,
Were writin'
for movies
Under an assumed
name, or somethin'.
Want a beer?
Hey, thanks.
Mmm... Wordman?
Hmm?
I just got interviewed
for television
By media magazine.
Yeah.
They had
a whole crew here.
They had lights and
cameras. Everything.
That's great, Sal.
What did
you talk about?
Me.
Are you hungry?
Want a slice?
Nah.
No, no, no, no.
You know what she really
wanted to talk about?
Those old tapes...
season in hell.
She said something about 'em
being missing.
Wanted to know if I
knew where they were.
What'd you tell her?
I told her
I don't have a clue.
For all I care, they could've
gone down with Eddie.
You understand?
Sally, you were
on those tapes, too.
They find those tapes,
what's in it for me?
I just about broke my fingers
trying to play that stuff.
Well, they must
be worth money.
Somebody's willin'
to pay for 'em.
But we ain't gonna
see a dime from that.
They'll find a way
to screw us.
They always do.
Guys like you and me,
They strike oil
under your garden,
All you get
is dead tomatoes.
I get the picture.
It's still Eddie,
isn't it?
They could care less
about me.
It's more Eddie
they want.
Ah, sally.
Hey.
You ever wonder what it
might have been like
If he was still around?
I used to wonder.
It ate me up.
I figured Eddie was
my one shot at the bigs.
I thought we could go
all the way together.
After he died,
I got crazy.
Some nights it's like
Eddies still alive...
and I get mad at him
all over again.
I'm mad at him
for living.
And Im mad at him
for dying...
the dumb way
that he did.
Sure, it gripes me
When I think about how
big we could've been.
the time is right
you hold me tight...
We signed
a $50,000 contract
To do another album.
That was a lot of money
in those days.
They gave us
a $10,000 advance,
And the offers
started pouring in.
They all wanted
the cruisers.
We were on such a high.
We thought we'd
never come down.
Anyway, one night
doc was reading off
The list
of potential dates,
And I heard him mention
Benton college,
My old school.
Nobody wanted to go,
and the money was short.
Also, Eddie felt that it
wasn't our kind of place,
That we wouldn't fit in.
But I wanted to go.
Oh, god,
how I wanted to go.
do you believe this?
oh, man.
I didn't know we were
going to summer camp.
You know,
there's 600 guys here
That haven't seen a girl
since new year's.
They bring them by train,
by car, by the busload.
Cattle cars,
they call 'em.
Sounds like
zoo parade.
Moo!
Whinny!
round them up!
Move them out!
South Philly
was never like this.
come on, you guys.
Get off my back.
strike one!
hello, girls.
stop it, stop it.
look at this.
It's an ice cream
convention, man.
Oh, they're going to
sacrifice a cricket.
no. They're
gonna sacrifice you.
How does it feel
to be home, Frankie?
Look at this.
What do
we have here?
A real group
of pistoleros.
Hey, Wordman.
This shindig tonight...
how are we
supposed to dress?
Hey, wait a minute.
What's the big deal?
We've played
colleges before.
Yeah, sure.
We played St. Something
Down in Delaware,
Fairly ridiculous
up in Madison,
But we ain't
never played
No finishing school
like this.
This is a mistake.
We don't
belong here.
These people
are different.
I'm telling ya,
they're gonna eat us up.
They're just a bunch
of college kids,
No better than you.
Hey! I didn't
say better.
I said different.
You ought
to remember that.
What do you think?
What do I think?
I'm scared to death.
Aw, hell, Joann.
Come on.
When I graduated
from high school,
I asked my guidance counselor
what he thought I should do.
He talked about
being a beautician,
Or a typist,
or a nurse.
That was already
reaching for the moon.
The whole time,
he was checking me out.
"Here's a ripe one.
"Doesn't matter
what kind of job you get
"Because in a year you'll be
married and pregnant
"With the first of six,
"And they won't be
college material
Any more than you are,
cookie. "
Case closed.
Hey, listen.
These people,
they're way behind you.
I don't think
they think so.
Hey, ridgeway! Frank!
What are you doing?
Livingston,
how are you?
Ok. This is frank ridgeway,
my old roommate.
This is Lois Wilkes.
Hi, Lois.
Joann Carlino.
How you doin'?
Keith Livingston.
Nice to meet you.
So, what, are you up
for the weekend?
Yeah.
Rites of spring?
Yeah.
Well, that's perfect.
Know who's playing
tonight at the dance?
They've got the cruisers.
You know, the mean-Assed
black group out of Newark,
The cruisers.
Oh, yeah.
I heard of them.
You know,
when that Lois girl
Asked me where did I
go to college,
I didn't know
what to say.
You told her you work
in the city. Fine.
And whether we were
pinned or lavaliered?
Hey, look...
you're good enough
to be here.
You mean
Im good enough for you.
That's it, isn't it?
Sometimes I think
you're too good.
How do
you know Im not?
I didn't mean that.
Eddie said "different. "
Yeah.
Thanks for the date.
Are you
being sarcastic?
No.
You're welcome, then.
Let's go back.
Showtime yet?
I'll just change
into my other stuff.
No.
It'll only
take a minute.
I said no.
You stay like that.
Hey, man.
You got some
fine college here.
All the advantages.
You got ivy walls,
Lecture halls,
Full-Dressed balls,
And you got the cruisers
for the nasty stuff.
For the get-Down music
and the hanging tough.
Better grab a woman.
Don't mention your name,
Because after tonight,
She'll never
be the same.
When lights go out,
and the clock winds down,
Better find me a woman
to go downtown.
No hand-Holdin' baby
who'll nip and tuck.
I want a girl up the street
who knows how to...
I need a woman's
special touch
I need a lover's
soul trust
I want you, baby,
you know it's true
there's just one thing
I won't do for you
you'll never see me
get down on my,
down on my knees
ooh, baby,
Im a live wire
a loaded pistol,
Im ready to fire
you know I want you
by my side
but I ain't beggin',
I got my pride
you'll never see me
get down on my,
down on my knees
all I need
is to set my soul free
all I want is you
to walk the line with me
oh, darlin', yeah
you give me lovin',
makes my blood run hot
I want you, baby,
Ill never stop
ooh, baby,
you're my one desire
Im a man
that you can't deny
you'll never see me
get down on my,
down on my knees
yeah
get down on my,
down on my knees
yeah
down on my,
down on my knees
Do you like
rock 'n' roll?
Do you need
rock 'n' roll?
All right. Cool out.
Sit down. Sit down.
Come on. We gotta cool out
before we can get runnin'.
I wanna thank you people
for making the scene.
The show's
just startin' now.
I'm gonna come clean.
I'm gonna present
the cruisers one by one.
On drums, just going
through a phase,
Kenny Hopkins.
On sax, the bruiser...
Mr. Wendell newton.
On bass,
long, tall sally Amato.
And last but not least,
Your favorite
and mine...
Joann Carlino!
Hey, Eddie,
you forgot somebody!
Who did I forget?
The guy on the piano!
Ridgeway!
Oh! Oh, yeah.
On piano...
we got, uh...
Toby Tyler.
Stage name,
show business nom de plume.
He's that little boy
who ran away from home
And joined the circus,
isn't he?
He snuck into the tent
without a ticket
So he could see
all the wild animals inside,
The savage beasts,
the clowns, the freaks.
Let's hear it,
everybody,
For Toby Tyler!
All right, here we go!
Light up those lights!
your mama said
she don't like it
she don't like
that rock 'n' roll
oh, mama, mama
mama,
you just don't know
I don't wanna
hang up
my rock 'n' roll shoes
well, I get
that feelin'
every time
I hear them blues
the music's
got the beat
that will
keep you alive
the kids
are rock 'n' rollin'
from 8 to 85
and I don't wanna
hang up
my rock 'n' roll shoes
well,
I get that feelin'
every time
I hear them blues
The next day,
I told him
I was leaving,
And Id take
the bus back.
What did he say?
He said,
"ok. Sure, go ahead.
"I'll just
call up the union
And have them send
someone else over. "
Like so much
busted plumbing.
Then he asked me
to take a walk with him.
He didn't say anything
for the longest time.
Then he turned to me,
and he said...
"Wordman...
"we need each other.
Words and music. "
Then he crossed
his fingers
Showing how they
go together.
"Remember...
words and music. "
So you stayed.
Yeah.
I stayed.
But season in hell...
frank, how much influence
did Rimbaud have on Eddie?
Looking for ghosts?
Maybe.
You don't really think
Eddies still alive, do you?
I guess not.
But what about
the coincidence
Of season in hell?
Frank, what happened
to those tapes?
Hey, look.
It didn't work.
The record company
hated it.
They never released
the album.
Frank, I want to get
ahold of those tapes
And play them
on my show.
Let's let them
be heard.
Let the people decide
whether they're any good.
I don't know
where they are.
Honest.
I'd like to find them
as much as you would.
Frank...
is that why
you stopped writing?
Because they told you
you weren't any good?
Words and music,
remember?
Without Eddie,
There wasn't
any more music.
Good night, Maggie.
Good night, frank.
Im serious.
Doc wants to get
sally's band and us
To go back
on the circuit again.
the guy's
out of his head.
It's them old songs,
old memories.
They'll make you
crazy, man.
Just a phase,
huh, Kenny?
Yeah, sure.
We had some fun
times for a while, huh?
I liked being on top.
What's not to like?
You're out there in
the back of the caddy,
Balling some chick,
you know.
One of our tunes
come on the radio...
whoa! I mean, who was
better than me, right?
There was something special
about that time, you know?
I miss it.
You don't fool with
the memories, huh, Frankie?
I'm not so sure
I can stop.
Ok.
Ok, but if you're
gonna do that,
Then you gotta
take a look
At the whole story,
man.
I mean, there were
bad times, too...
The fights,
the arguments,
The hassles.
I mean, things,
Im sure,
You've forgotten
all about...
Toby Tyler.
Did he play hell
with you that night?
Yeah.
Yeah, right. You
remember Sal and doc
At each other's
throats?
Eddie and Joann
Not being able to
talk to each other.
Nobody talking
to each other.
Remember
Wendell dying?
Remember that?
I remember.
Yeah, right.
Heart attack, right?
Man, you still don't
know what went down.
What are you
talking about?
Where the hell
have you been?
Heart attack,
my ass!
What, you live
in a cloud?
It's time
you grew up.
Let's go.
Wendell.
Come on, Wendell,
let's go.
We've got to go, man.
Wendell.
Hey, Wendell.
Hey.
Stupid son of a bitch.
Uh...
the other day, I buried
one of my best friends.
He was the best sax player
I ever heard.
And they tell me
I gotta come up here
And entertain
you people now.
I don't think
Ill be able to do that.
aw!
when the moon
hung soft and low
catching stardust
in the light
you held me closer
and closer
there was magic
in the night
whoa-Oh,
tender years
won't you wash away
my tears
how I wish
you were near
please don't go,
tender years
Hi.
Hi.
God, you look great.
I just came
from a rehearsal.
Still, you
look terrific.
I'm so glad
you called.
I wanted to
so many times, but...
now, this revivial
of our music...
I couldn't help
thinking about you,
Remembering
the good times we had.
I just had to see you
again, Joann.
We had fun,
didn't we, frank?
Yeah.
You know, Ive never
been able to let go.
To let you go.
I'm glad
you're here.
Hey. You know,
Ive seen all the guys.
You did?
Yeah. Kenny's
in Atlantic city
Dealing blackjack
in one of the casinos.
Really?
Yeah. Doc's a Dj
back in Asbury park.
Did you see sally?
Oh, yeah. Yeah.
He's knocking them dead
With the oldies
but goodies.
Can you believe he's
still playing Betty Lou?
Only now he's finally
doing it his way.
Without the caesura.
Yeah.
How do you feel, them
playing our old songs
On the radio again?
I guess it's fun,
but, you know,
The strangest things
have been happening lately.
I keep getting
these phone calls.
I pick up the phone,
And someone plays
tender years.
Then they hang up.
A couple times a day.
And last week, somebody
broke into my house.
They got
my place, too.
And doc's.
What's going on?
Who is it?
It's got to be
those old tapes.
Season in hell.
I see the writing
on the wall
ivory towers
bound to fall
voices whisper
in the wind
I can hear them callin'
love is the fire
burnin'
and I wanna burn
darkest hour
before the dawn
times we know will...
What the hell
are you doin'?
I've heard enough.
Just relax.
There's nothing can't
be fixed. Am I right?
This won't fix.
This is a disaster.
You wanna be a poet?
Try Greenwich village.
Lew, listen.
Another couple of weeks.
We can work...
Doc, take 6 weeks.
I still wouldn't know
what to do with it.
You want to know
what you can do with it?
I'll tell you
what you can do with it,
You son of a bitch!
Hey, I put up 10 grand,
And I expect something
for my money.
This is what Ive been
waiting a year for...
A bunch of jerk-Offs
making weird sounds?
You're not gonna see
a red penny.
Easy, Eddie.
Now, hey, wait,
come on, man.
Hey, listen, Lew,
He's under pressure
since Wendell died.
Let me talk to him.
you ain't
talkin' to nobody!
Look, we'll
work somethin' out.
Bullshit!
Doc, don't
do me any favors.
I don't need this.
Lew! Lew! Lew!
Shit!
Are you crazy?
We had the money
in our hands, and you blew it.
You blew it!
Hey, come on!
Eddie...
you're wrong.
You're wrong!
Now listen to me.
I love you.
I've known you
longer than anyone else.
But you're wrong.
They want
on the dark side!
What are we giving 'em,
some damn opera?
I don't know even know
what you're after.
I want something great,
I want something
that nobody's
Ever done before.
Why? We ain't great.
We're just some guys
from jersey.
If we can't be great,
then there's no sense
In ever playing music
again, Sal.
I blame this on you.
It was you!
We were doing good
till you came along,
And you got us
all screwed up!
Eddie, wait!
Eddie, the music's great.
Those guys are wrong.
It really is.
Eddie,
what is this place?
I used to hang out here
when I was a kid.
There used to be
this old guy
Who owned the place.
What a dreamer.
He would sift
through the garbage
And put aside
bits and pieces.
Come on. I'll show you.
Come on.
He actually believed
That you could
build a castle
Out of
a bunch of junk.
What a crock.
Holy shit.
What a phony.
Here we are, guys.
Right where we belong.
You got your edsels...
norges...
Dumonts...
and Eddie Wilson.
Together at last,
Creating our own
incredible monument...
to nothing.
Here's to nothing,
fellas!
Here's to nothing!
there were
so many things
I wanted to say to him,
So many questions
I wanted to ask.
But Eddie and I,
we had a deal.
We never talked
about the future.
We thought the present
was so fine.
Why ruin it
by planning ahead?
But as Eddie drove off,
I knew...
I knew it then...
there wasn't going
to be any future.
In the morning,
They told me
Eddie was gone.
They hadn't
found his body.
That was always
the hardest part to accept.
I know you're gonna
think Im crazy,
But I have to
tell you something.
Last night
there was a car
Sitting in my driveway.
A '57 Chevy.
Just like Eddies...
Joann, that car was destroyed
in the accident, remember?
I know,
but whoever it was
Must've seen me
looking out the window.
He blinked
his headlights
High, then low,
then high again...
just like Eddie.
It can't be.
It can't be him.
Well, who then?
Who?
It's not Eddie.
Whoever it is
that's watching
Is looking to cash in
on those tapes,
But it is not Eddie.
Frank...
I know where
those tapes are.
After the accident,
I had to say good-Bye
in my own way.
I went to satin records,
Got the tapes,
And drove back
to palace depression.
Take me there.
Watch your head.
Are you there?
Yeah.
Hold my hand.
Come on.
there.
give me a light.
See it?
I feel something.
It's in a box.
A wooden box.
I got it.
Let's go. Come on.
There's gonna
be a left soon.
Just past
the gas station.
There's some of you,
you know.
Yeah, I see.
That one was
always my favorite.
Hello.
when the moon hung
soft and low
there was stardust
in the night...
Who is this?
you held me closer
and closer...
Damn it,
who is this?
Oh, frank.
Oh.
No, don't.
It's ok.
It's ok.
That's it!
Huh?
It's Eddie!
He's coming over.
That's our signal.
It means get ready.
I...
I have to go.
He'll be here
any minute.
I got to go.
Oh, frank, Im sorry.
I got to go.
Eddie.
It is you.
Yes. Yes.
Sure, I have them.
Yes.
I'll be waiting.
Yes. Yes. Eddie.
I'll be alone.
Yes. Oh, hurry.
Please, hurry.
Frank?
Frank!
Hey, baby,
what's the holdup?
Eddie?
Come on, let's
get on with the music.
Frank!
Frank!
What are you doing?
Frank, don't! Don't!
Son of a bitch!
You... you!
Ok. Ok.
Ok, ok.
why did you do this?
Short cuts, kid.
I never could do things
the easy way.
Oh, doc.
Why this whole game?
The car business?
I figured...
Joann had the tapes.
I knew she wasn't
gonna give them to me.
Maybe you, Wordman.
Maybe she'd
give them to you.
What would you do if you
had the tapes, doc?
Try me.
Just try me.
I'd have it made.
For once
in my life...
Id bring home
a winner.
I'd like that.
I once asked Eddie
why he kept you around.
You know what he said?
He said,
"doc's a dreamer.
And the world
needs dreamers. "
He was the only
real friend I ever had.
Yeah.
Here.
Go on, kid.
Your ticket
to the bigs.
Come on, take them.
I'm gonna do this
for all of us.
I mean that.
I'll make you
proud of me.
Listen, Im gonna
make the sweetest deal
You ever heard.
They don't know it yet,
But they're gonna be
dealing with doc Robbins,
The big bopper!
And Im gonna be coming
on strong, staying long.
Talking loud
and drawing a crowd.
Hey, man...
Eddie and the cruisers,
coast to coast.
I ain't just
talking jersey!
Go get 'em, doc!
Let's go inside.
dark side's calling now,
nothing is real
she'll never know
just how I feel
from out of the shadows
she walks like a dream
makes me feel crazy,
makes me feel so mean
well, nothing's gonna save me
from a love that's blind
slip to the dark side
across that line
on the dark side
oh, yeah
on the dark side
oh, yeah...
the innocence
of the fifties was over,
And so was rock 'n' roll
as we knew it.
We were entering
a new age.
An age of confusion,
An age of passion,
of commitment.
Eddie Wilson
saw it coming.
Season in hell
Is a total innovation
for its time.
It was a signal
of greatness yet to come.
Eddie Wilson was
a step ahead of us,
And I don't think we've
caught up with him yet.
Eddie's been dead
for almost 18 years,
But his music
is as alive today
As the day he recorded it.
For me and for everyone
who listens to music,
Eddie Wilson lives...
and always will.
fire
fire
love is the fire
burnin'
and I wanna burn
Eddie! Eddie!
Eddie! Eddie!
Eddie! Eddie!
Eddie! Eddie!
Eddie! Eddie!
Eddie! Eddie!
Eddie! Eddie!
Eddie! Eddie!
can you see the light?
Can you hear the sound?
can you feel this
whole world turning 'round?
can you see the light?
Can you hear the sound?
can you feel this
whole world turning 'round?
can you see the light?
Can you hear the sound?
can you feel this
whole world turning 'round?
can you see the light?
Can you hear the sound?
can you feel this
whole world turning 'round?
can you see the light?
Can you hear the sound?
can you feel this
whole world turning 'round?
can you see the light?
Can you hear the sound?
can you feel this
whole world turning 'round?
can you see the light?
Can you hear the sound?
can you feel this
whole world turning 'round?
can you see the light?
Can you hear the sound?
can you feel this
whole world turning 'round?
can you see the light?
Can you hear the sound?
can you feel the...
strangers cruisin'
down the south strip
cool cats searchin'
for some hot lips
night shift neon
ribbons flash forever
rebels lace midnight
in black leather
shipwrecked pirates claim
their treasures in the sand
sidewalk surfers ride
the streets in super vans
beach fires light the faces
of the gypsy caravan
open up your door
we'll let those
lake pipes roar
into the
wild summer nights
oh, baby, those
wild summer nights
summer nights
wild summer nights
oh, baby, those
wild summer nights
oh, baby, run wild
summer nights
run wild
summer nights
when the moon hung
soft and low
catching stardust
in the night
you held me closer
and closer
there was magic
in the night
a sweet love song
a melody
that I still can recall
two young hearts
filled with dreams
to walk away
with it all
whoa-Oh,
tender years
won't you
wash away my tears
how I wish
you were near
please don't go,
tender years