Local filmmakers Paul Russo and Shawn Swords have produced a new documentary on the Philadelphia music scene of the 1950s and 60s.

Local filmmakers Paul Russo and Shawn Swords bested many other films to garner the Grand Prize for their documentary, “The Wages of Spin,” at a packed house screening at the Media Film Festival on Feb. 28.

This new documentary chronicles the Philly Music Scene from 1952-63, American Bandstand, Bob Horn, Dick Clark, the ‘Payola Scandal’, and its Congressional hearings.
The film will be featured at Philly CineFest on April 1. For ticket info, contact Character Driven Productions, 609-729-9453, or visit characterdrivenfilms.com.

The film first premiered at the Inaugural Wildwood By The Sea Film Fest in 2007.
“This film has been in the works for many years, and it’s finally time to show the world this eye-opening look at the music industry’s inner workings during the 50s and 60s,” said executive producer Paul Russo.

It features an all-star cast of musical greats, including Fabian, Frankie Avalon, Chubby Checker, Mike Love, Bruce Johnston, Len Barry, the Comets, Connie Francis, the Orlons, the Dovells, Danny and the Juniors, Charlie Gracie, Sally Starr, the American Bandstand Dancers, Ed Hurst, Wee Willie Webber, Ron Joseph, and many other musical legends.

This project was close to Russo’s heart, since many of the interviews were filmed at Cool Scoops Ice Cream Parlor, which Russo’s family established in 2002.

The film is currently on the Festival Circuit and is awaiting distribution to theaters in the future.