Don't Knock the Rock

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.

The second film featuring Bill Haley and the Comets, DON'T KNOCK THE ROCK, features a lot of great music from Haley's Comets, Little Richard, and the Treniers, and this is probably the biggest dramatic role that Alan Freed had in any of his 1950's rock and roll epics, a role that he handles quite well. Bill Haley also seems more relaxed here in his dialogue scenes than he was in ROCK AROUND THE CLOCk, although Bill and band are really not the stars of the film. The character of Arnie Haines, played by Alan Dale, is the protagonist of the film, and Haines' story is the one told here. Dale sings three songs--a ballad that could have come from the big band era, a Johnnie Ray-style emotion-filled number, and a semi rock and roll number in the Bobby Darin vein. Dale is a fine actor and he has the dramatic ability and charisma to carry a film on his own. I was unfamiliar with him and wondered why he got the role in the film, since he was not playing himself. It seems Mr. Dale made his mark as a singer late in the big band era, and had his own television show in 1948. He had a number of hit records in the late 40s and early 50s produced by Bob Thiele (later of Flying Dutchman records fame, for those of us under 50). He was evidently a very talented man, as well as a courageous (standing up to the mob) and intelligent (published author) one. However, he is really not a rock and roll performer. If you can get past that, the rest of the movie is a lot of fun, the performances are exciting, and the show even gives away some of the phony tricks and staged events of the music promotion world. Haley never starred in a third film (although he and the band were in others, both here and abroad), and despite a half dozen hot songs in this one, he and band are basically guest stars in their own film. Little Richard does two of his best-known numbers in classic style (playing the piano while standing with his back to it, playing the piano while one leg is over the top of the piano, etc.), and the Treniers do two numbers that give some hint about why they were so legendary for their live act (although I'm sure this is a VERY watered down version of what they did live). I like Dave Appell's music, in the Philadelphia jive-rock style, but the number he does here is not that impressive. Overall, this is a nice window into 1950's rock and roll and a good opportunity to see some of the best artists of the period performing (or should I say miming). Worth finding for the 50's fan.

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!