Friday, May 04, 2007

Don't Knock the Rock (1956).

The Scoop:
Another of the vast crop of early rock 'n' roll films, this isn't among the best, but it has its own charm nonetheless. The wholly incidental plot (about a famous singer, played by Alan Dale, who goes back to his hometown to fight anti-rock prejudice) is beside the point. The whole reason to see this movie is for the terrific performances by the likes of Bill Haley and the Comets and Little Richard (who does his classics "Tutti Frutti" and "Long Tall Sally"). Alan Freed is also along for the ride, for no good reason other than self-aggrandizement. But the music -- woo-hoo!

Best Bit:
"Rock 'n' roll is for morons!"

Side Note:
Screenwriter Robert E. Kent, who wrote for the original "Wild, Wild West" TV series, wrote this using the pseudonym James B. Gordon, which he also used to write "Rock Around the Clock."

Companion Viewing:
"Rock Around the Clock" (1956) and "Mr. Rock and Roll" (1957).

Links:
IMDb.

Take a Look:
Everybody jitterbug!


Bill Haley and the Comets do "Rip It Up":


Little Richard tearing through "Long Tall Sally":


The Treniers doing "Rockin' on Saturday Night":

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