Films About Radio Stations
Films that revolve around radio stations often explore the power of sound, the influence of media, and the personal stories of those who operate behind the microphone. These films can range from comedies and dramas to thrillers, showcasing the unique dynamics of life in the broadcasting world. They often highlight the impact of radio on culture and society, the relationships between characters, and the challenges faced in the industry.
Here’s a list of notable films that feature radio stations:
“Good Morning, Vietnam”, 1987
Director: Barry Levinson
This comedy-drama stars Robin Williams as an irreverent radio DJ who brings humor and music to the troops in Vietnam, using his radio show to uplift spirits amidst the chaos of war.
Starring: Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker, Bruno Kirby, J.T. Walsh, Robert Wuhl, Richard Portnow, Tom. T. Tran, Chintara Sukapatana, Noble Willingham, Richard Edson, Juney Smith, Floyd Vivino, Cu Ba Nguyen, Dan Stanton, Don Stanton, Danny Aiello III, James McIntire, Peter Mackenzie, No Tran, Hoa Nguyen, Uikey Kuay, Suvit Abakaz, Panas Wiwatpanachat, Lerdcharn Namkiri, Hanh Thi Nguyen, Tuan Lai, Boonchai Jakraworawut, Joe B. Veokeki, Wichien Chaopramong, Kien Chufak, Prasert Tangpantarat, Tim O'Hare, John Goyer, Louis Hood, Christopher Mangan, Kenneth Pitochelli, Jonathan MacLeod, Gregg T. Knight, Ralph Tabakin, Sangad Sangkao, Vanlap Sangko, Edowan Bersmea, John Marshall Jones;
Production year: 1987;
Genre: drama, comedy, war, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 116 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Good Morning, Vietnam” on the website imdb.com
“Talk Radio”, 1988
Director: Oliver Stone
Directed by Oliver Stone, this film follows a controversial talk radio host whose life spirals out of control as he confronts the consequences of his provocative on-air persona.
Starring: Eric Bogosian, Ellen Greene, Leslie Hope, John C. McGinley, Alec Baldwin, John Pankow, Michael Wincott, Linda Atkinson, Robert Trebor, Zach Grenier, Tony Frank, Harlan Jordan, Bill Johnson, Kevin Howard, Anna Thomson, Bruno Rubeo, Pirie MacDonald, Allan Corduner, Mimi Cochran, Rockets Redglare, Angus G. Wynne III, Chip Moody, David Poynter, Peter Zapp, Carl Kissin, Park Overall, Michele Mariana, Earl Hindman, John Seitz, Kyle McClaran, Dee Pyland, Daniel Escobar, William De Acutis, Frederica Meister, Luis Barajas, Vernie Bailey, Martin Rayner, Alan Clark, Moby, John B. Wells, Leigh French, Walter Lynn, Theresa Bell, Kim Gelvin, Wayne Shannon;
Production year: 1988;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Talk Radio” on the website imdb.com
“Pirate Radio”, 2009
Director: Richard Curtis
A comedy-drama based on the real-life story of a rogue British radio station that broadcasts rock and pop music from a ship in the North Sea during the 1960s, defying the British government's restrictions on popular music.
Starring: Tom Sturridge, Bill Nighy, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rhys Ifans, Nick Frost, Kenneth Branagh, Jack Davenport, Talulah Riley, Chris O'Dowd, Rhys Darby, Ralph Brown, Tom Brooke, Will Adamsdale, Katherine Parkinson, Ike Hamilton, Tom Wisdom, Amanda Fairbank-Hynes, January Jones, Gemma Arterton, Michael Hadley, Charlie Rowe, Emma Thompson, Lucy Fleming, Ian Mercer, Stephen Moore, Michael Thomas, Bo Poraj, Sinead Matthews, Olegar Fedoro, Duncan Foster, Francesca Longrigg, Poppy Delevingne, Sarah Forster, Ocean Moon, Tuuli Shipster, David Sterne, Olivia Llewellyn, William Ilkley, Edward Hancock, Katie Lyons, Kirsty Mather, Lana Davidson, Tomas Andrisiunas, Guðmundur Auðunsson, Kristofer Gummerus, Chelsea M. Matthews, Antonia Bernath, Caroline Boulton, Elizabeth Conboy, Sarah Linda;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: drama, comedy, music;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 129 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
“WKRP in Cincinnati”, 1978
Director: Rod Daniel, Will Mackenzie, Asaad Kelada, Linda Day
While technically a television series, this iconic sitcom about a struggling radio station deserves mention for its humorous take on the lives of the station's staff and its memorable radio-centric storylines.
Starring: Gary Sandy, Gordon Jump, Loni Anderson, Howard Hesseman, Richard Sanders, Frank Bonner, Tim Reid, Jan Smithers, Carol Bruce, Allyn Ann McLerie, Ian Wolfe, Sam Anderson, Edie McClurg, Bill Dial, Julie Payne, George Wyner, Rosemary Forsyth, Michael Fairman, Hugh Gillam, Don Diamond, Stacy Heather Tolkin, Lou Richards, Bonnie Urseth, Max Wright, Michael Pataki, Alice Nunn, Daphne Reid, Feather Austen, Hamilton Camp, Mary Frann, Garry Goodrow, René Enríquez, Michael Keenan, John Chappell, William Glover, Bill Saito, Woodrow Parfrey, Sylvia Sidney, Richard Stahl, Ned Wertimer, Barrie Youngfellow, Sparky Anderson, Hoyt Axton, Lee Bergere, Mary Betten, Thomas Callaway, Helena Carroll, David Chow, George Gaynes;
Production year: 1978;
Genre: comedy;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “WKRP in Cincinnati” on the website imdb.com
“Radio”, 2003
Director: Michael Tollin
Based on a true story, this film stars Cuba Gooding Jr. as a young man with developmental disabilities who becomes part of the local high school football team and the community through his involvement with a radio station.
Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr., Ed Harris, Alfre Woodard, S. Epatha Merkerson, Brent Sexton, Chris Mulkey, Sarah Drew, Riley Smith, Patrick Breen, Debra Winger, Bill Roberson, Kenneth H. Callender, Michael Harding, Charles Garren, Rebecca Koon, Hi Bedford Roberson, Michael Kroeker, Mark Robert Ellis, Shelley Reid, Evan Aldrich, Megan Coffman, Benjamin L. Peters Jr., Leonard Wheeler, Therond Justin Adams, Othello Coleman III, Bert Beatson, Ty O'Farrell, Dorothy McDowell, Jim Gooden, Joseph E.G. Barrett, Deborah McTeer, Jamie Murdaugh, Eugene Cryer Jr., William E. Lykes, Tammy Arnold, Kasheem J. Peterson, Kate Powell, Michael Flippo, James Robert «Radio» Kennedy, Harold Jones, Mike Anthony, James Barrett, Jared Bealer, Hi Bedford-Roberson, Josh Berger, Jerome Bethea, Austen Brown, Patricia Buckley-Moss, Terrell Byrd;
Production year: 2003;
Genre: drama, biography, sport;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Radio” on the website imdb.com
“Frequency”, 2000
Director: Gregory Hoblit
A sci-fi thriller where a father and son communicate across time through a shortwave radio, leading them to unravel a mystery involving a serial killer, emphasizing the connection and impact of radio waves.
Starring: Dennis Quaid, James Caviezel, Shawn Doyle, Elizabeth Mitchell, Andre Braugher, Noah Emmerich, Melissa Errico, Daniel Henson, Jordan Bridges, Stephen Joffe, Jack McCormack, Peter MacNeill, Michael Cera, Marin Hinkle, Richard Sali, Nesbitt Blaisdell, Joan Heney, Jessica Meyer, Kirsten Bishop, Rocco Sisto, Rosemary De Angelis, Dick Cavett, Brian Greene, Melissa Fitzgerald, John Di Benedetto, Terry Serpico, Brian Smyj, Nicole Brier, Brantley Bush, David Huband, Timothy Brown, Chuck Margiotta, Karen Glave, Frank McAnulty, Derek Aasland, Jim McAleese, Catherine Burdon, Jennifer Baxter, Desmond Campbell, Danny Johnson, Colm Magner, Brigitte Kingsley, Tucker Robin, Barney Cheng, Curt Gowdy, Cleon Jones, The New York Mets, Robert Nicotra, Nancy E.L. Ward, Al Weis;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: thriller, science fiction, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Frequency” on the website imdb.com
These films illustrate the diverse narratives that can emerge from the world of radio, reflecting both the medium's cultural significance and the personal dramas of those involved in broadcasting.
The portrayal of radio stations in film has always been a captivating and resonant subject, offering a glimpse into the power of storytelling, the magic of music, and the unbreakable bond between the broadcaster and their listeners. From the rebellious fervor of “Pump Up the Volume” to the heartwarming nostalgia of “Radio Days” and the intense drama of “Talk Radio,” these films have not only celebrated the influence of radio on society but also highlighted the personal and professional struggles of those behind the mic. Whether it's through comedy, tragedy, or triumph, these movies remind us that the voice on the airwaves holds the potential to inspire, unite, and ignite change, making them an enduring and essential part of cinematic history.
