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.

New York singer Arnie Haines (Alan Dale) is tired of his career as a famous recording star so he takes a break by visiting his old tiny home town. When he arrives he discovers that he's now despised by all the crotchety adults who feel that rock music is ruining their kids' lives. Haines decides to stage a big rock and roll show in the next town to prove to the parents that rock can be a good influence for their children. Arnie Haines himself is more of a crooner and not a joy to listen to, but we do get to hear several numbers by Bill Haley and His Comets, as well as the great Little Richard, who belts out his awesome killer renditions of "Long Tall Sally" and "Tutti Frutti". The movie is a good relic for rock 'n roll history, and also manages to take a shot at modern-day (1950s) parents to make them realize how their old music of the 20s and 30s was just as "wild" as their kids'. While the movie makes a valid point there in showing those generational similarities, the truth is that 1950s rock music was always pretty innocent enough, but the same case for a meeting of the generations couldn't be made for 2007 parents weaned on '50s music as compared to today's Gangsta cRap. *** out of ****

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!

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.

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.