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A lively, but not a factual description of the birth of rock 'n' roll. A couple of small time promoters break away from the big band way of life and stumble across a hot combo that packs a small dance hall.

Johnny Johnston, John Archer, Lisa Gaye and Alan Freed star. On screen musical performances by Bill Haley and his Comets, Freddie Bell and the Bellboys and the Platters make this one of the first feature films that concerns the beginnings of rock 'n' roll.

Enjoyable and fun to revisit. This has earned a cult following status in Europe.

If you cruise by this one while channel surfing, your first instinct might be that this a B-grade science fiction movie. The acting and the script are more wooden than the furniture, but stick with it -- it's a vintage rock and roll gas.

Ignore the corny, predictable plot. Stick with the music of the Comets and the Platters. This music is timeless rock and roll.

Band leader Steve Hollis sees the end of the big band era. He decides to head off to New York and bassist Corny LaSalle joins him. Along the way, they encounter young kids heading to a Saturday night dance. Steve is intrigued and finds them dancing to the new Rock N Roll with Bill Haley & His Comets. He signs up the band and dancer Lisa Johns. He sweet talks high powered agent Corinne Talbot but she rejects the new sound for personal reasons.

This is one of the first Rock N Roll films. It's the start of a new subgenre. Certainly, this is dated to some extend especially the dialogue. The premise is simplistic. It turns into a woman scorned story. One can't expect it to be ground breaking in every way. It's enough to have The Platters perform on the same stage as other non-black performers. It's good enough to be good enough. The music is great and iconic performed by the real bands. Everything else is filler and they are functional in that light. It's a solid start of this sub-genre and a great slice of music history.

It ain't great cinema, folks, but it IS fun. It's also a great reminder of the roots of rock- and-roll (old-fashioned hyphenated spelling intentional), and how far that musical genre has developed in the last (choke) 50 years.

I was only 9 when this film was released, and had never seen it until today (thanks, Turner Classics). Bill Hailey was certainly no Eric Clapton on the guitar, but was definitely a showman...in what would now be considered a cornball sort of way. The whole film is a good display of the fact that choreographing singers' movements didn't start with Madonnna. It also shows modern viewers that the Platters could REALLY sing!

Another thing I really enjoyed was the dancing in this movie. Lisa Gaye and Earl Barton could move! About an hour and 15 minutes into the film (which is only about 1:20 long) there's a number which shows them off well, during which they're joined by a couple of dozen other excellent dancers. It's a fun way to end the film.

Caught this on TV recently for the first time since 1956 when, as a 12 year old, I saw it at least twice that I remember. I was a huge Bill Haley fan there at the dawning of the age of Rock & Roll and thoroughly enjoyed this cheaply made little movie. When I started watching the other night, I wasn't expecting much and figured I'd just leave it on for awhile to hear some of that music. Well, I wound up watching the whole thing. Is it dated? Yep! Is it corny? Oh, you bet! Did I love it? More than ever! Bill Haley was quite believable as himself although seemingly just a bit embarrassed and the music was awesome. I had forgotten just how well the Comets could play their instruments within those three wonderful chords. I would recommend this to anyone who lived through the era. Go back and visit your roots. This movie Rocks!!