vsbano

I initially went to the Film Forum's presentation to experience what going to the movies might have been like 80 years ago. To have an experience like my grandmother had (she used to rave about Harold Loyd). I thought the film was going to be OK. I was astonished at the wit of the film, its emotional content and the joy it brought to the audience. The gags were plentiful and quite clever, the action kept everything moving and the audience enjoyed themselves immensely (obviously a self selected group). The entire experience was enhanced by a live piano player and I think by the communal experience of seeing this film at the movies.

I highly recommend the film.

Produced at the moment of Rock music's birth, the film presents the Bill Haley and His Comets, the creators of rock, performing three songs. The first tune "Crazy Man Crazy" was the first Rock hit, the second "Straight Jacket" was a favorite at their live performances and the final song "Shake rattle & Roll" was their most popular song to date. Interestingly, "Rock Around The Clock" which would become one of the largest selling records of all time, was not yet a success.

The band displays their fine musical abilities and their showmanship. The music contains the various streams of music that Bill Haley and the Comets combined to form Rock music.

This film should be viewed by anyone who enjoys music, or is interested in seeing a quasi-documentary about the origins of Rock music.