Don't Knock the Rock

There is little wonder that the acting is stiff with dialogue this lame. I grew up in the 50s. Even then we would groan at this writing. We came to see Bill Haley (Rudy's sax was worth the admission) & Little Richard. Alan Dale had a nice voice, but I can't recall anyone of my teen friends buying one of his discs. If only Columbia recognized the fact that we came for the music and not the plot - particularly one as predictable as this. A man in his 30s hustled by an oversexed teenager? How did that get by the censors? All the men walking around in suits all day seemed dumb then, and very much like an old TV sitcom today. The fast-forward control is a gift from God and surely appreciated for movies such as this. A+ for dancers.

As with Rock Around the Clock, this film was produced by Sam Katzman, directed by Fred F. Sears, and has an appearance by the music group of Bill Haley and the Comets as well as disc jokey Alan Freed. The main reason I decided to watch this now is because of the passing of Little Richard of which he performs two of his most famous songs-"Tutti Frutti" and "Long Tall Sally" in his unique performing style here. He and Bill Haley were perhaps the most enjoyable parts of this movie which consists of another familiar plot of an elder generation complaining about the kids and their "rock 'n' roll"! If one is willing to get through that again-as I was-then you should like Don't Knock the Rock just fine. Oh, and it does have a dance sequence near the end of the '20s styles which had one particular couple doing deadpan stares that made me laugh a little!

A rock 'n' roll singer played by Alan Dale takes time out from his busy schedule to vacation back in his home town. The town's teens are there to meet the train; but the Mayor of Melonville warns the singer that his kind is not thought of too highly. DJ Alan Freed schedules a big charity dance to convince a newspaper columnist there is no harm in the new form of music.

Also in the cast are Jana Lund, Patricia Hardy and Gail Ganley. Spotlight musical acts are: Bill Haley & the Comets, Little Richard, the Treniers and Dave Appell & the Apple Jacks.

Low budget "B" flick produced by 'king of the quickies', Sam Katzman. Interesting to watch Haley & the Comets and Little Richard perform.

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.

I always liked this film. Not a bad plot, the acting is better than average and there is, of course, some great music. Bill Haley and Little Richard provide some real excitement, plus here's a chance to see the great Treniers and talented pop singer Alan Dale in rare screen appearances. The legendary Alan Freed plays a sometimes over zealous manager and is terrific in the role. Rock and Roll fans should not pass this one by!