Don't Knock the Rock

This film is very much of it's time. Sam Katzman produced a number of films featuring record stars and this is one of the best. The star is Alan Dale, who was one of the leading pop singers of the day. Dale was in the forefront of the post-Sinatra generation of crooners, and his versatility ranged from opera to rock 'n' roll. This diversity made him a perfect choice for the role of a rock singer with a "serious" side. Dale's romantic interest is played by Patricia Hardy, who soon afterward married actor Richard Egan and retired.

The main reason for these films was, of course, the records acts --- most of whom were seldom if ever seen on network television (Bill Haley and the Comets being an exception). In fact, outside of major urban areas, someone like Little Richard was not even played on most RADIO stations (who chose instead to play Pat Boone's versions of "Long Tall Sally" and "Tutti Fruitti"!). But, thanks to films like this, people in Pocatello and Salt Lake City were able to experience these seminal rock 'n' roll performers. It's a fun film.

I recently purchased this movie for the Lindy Hop scenes and I wasn't disappointed, the dancing is incredible. If only the movie opened with dancing instead of Arnie Haines and screaming teenagers! Once you get into the film there's dancing on pianos and couches in Arnie's apartment/hotel room?, a killer jam circle with Bill Hailey and the Comets backing, and a crazy Charleston scene that rivals anything I've seen on film. The plot was OK and the acting so-so, but the music and dancing makes up for the film's shortcomings. I was impressed with Bill Hailey and the Comets, especially during their instrumental jam session, which displays their musical talent and personality more so than their most well-known commercial hits.

New York singer Arnie Haines (Alan Dale) is tired of his career as a famous recording star so he takes a break by visiting his old tiny home town. When he arrives he discovers that he's now despised by all the crotchety adults who feel that rock music is ruining their kids' lives. Haines decides to stage a big rock and roll show in the next town to prove to the parents that rock can be a good influence for their children. Arnie Haines himself is more of a crooner and not a joy to listen to, but we do get to hear several numbers by Bill Haley and His Comets, as well as the great Little Richard, who belts out his awesome killer renditions of "Long Tall Sally" and "Tutti Frutti". The movie is a good relic for rock 'n roll history, and also manages to take a shot at modern-day (1950s) parents to make them realize how their old music of the 20s and 30s was just as "wild" as their kids'. While the movie makes a valid point there in showing those generational similarities, the truth is that 1950s rock music was always pretty innocent enough, but the same case for a meeting of the generations couldn't be made for 2007 parents weaned on '50s music as compared to today's Gangsta cRap. *** out of ****

This is yet another of a group of early R&R films with the same moral...."Parents, don't judge the music of your kids harshly...after all, you were a bunch of flappers back in your day, screaming '23 Skiddoo' while jitterbugging like crazy..." This film would have been better, MUCH better, if they actually had a Rock N Roll guy as the lead. But they had a Bing Crosby type, moaning out some pretty awful tunes. I'm sure there were some very restless teenagers in the theater when this film was released. They probably couldn't wait 'till the REAL rockers came on screen. Once that happened, the film came into it's own. As has been pointed out in earlier posts, these performances are the centerpiece of the film.

In addition to the musical numbers by Haley & the Comets, the Treniers and Little Richard, the dancing was pretty amazing in this movie. Young people of the past could really move, unlike today (also check out YouTube clips of Ronnie Spector dancing at the Pepppermint Lounge during The Beatles '64 tour; clips from the early 70's Soul Train line; and clips from the 80's film "Breakin'" to see what young folks could do during the past decades).

Another bright spot was the performance of Jana Lund as the bratty, teenage nymphet. She did an amazingly sultry dance when first spotted, and you just knew this kitten would be trouble. On top of that, Ms. Lund was wearing the most blatant example of a 50's "Balistic Missle Bra" since Janet Leigh in "Jet Pilot".

All in all, not a bad film, but not as good or as much fun as "Rock Around The Clock".

This film is very much of it's time. Sam Katzman produced a number of films featuring record stars and this is one of the better ones. The star is Alan Dale, who was one of the leading pop singers of the day. Dale was in the forefront of the post-Sinatra generation of crooners (which included Vic Damone, Tony Bennett, etc.), and his versatility ranged from opera to Rock 'n' Roll. This diversity made him a perfect choice for the role of a rock singer with a "serious" side. Dale's romantic interest is played by Pat Hardy, who soon afterward married actor Richard Egan. The main reason for these films was, of course, the records acts --- most of whom were seldom if ever seen on network television. Bill Haley and the Comets were well known, but outside of the major urban areas Little Richard was not even played on most RADIO stations (they opted for Pat Boone's version of "Long Tall Sally"!). However, thanks to films like this we could finally experience performers like Little Richard. Two numbers by The Treniers are another high point. Typical of these films, there's not much of a plot, but its a lot of fun.