Vive le rock

This golden oldie film, while somewhat shallow in the plot category, is nothing more than just plain entertainment. It consists mainly of good fifties rock n roll music by original artists of the day which really makes the film a joy to view. Also, unlike most of the teenage films of that time, some scenes show kids who are genuine teenagers rather than 20 or even 30 something adults pretending to be teens. This really adds a touch of quality to the movie. Besides the music, the anti-rock n roll adults add to the enjoyment as well. Although their respective rolls may have been intended to be mainly villainous, they come across as so ludicrous in their actions that they are truly funny. This is a movie for fun and enjoyment and not to be taken seriously.

The premise of this film seems to have been inspired by the trials of real-life DJ Alan Freed and his attempts to bring Rock 'n' Roll to the mainstream despite protests by many of the older generation. Mike "Touch" Connors plays the role based on him and the opposition consists of Douglass Dumbrille and Margaret Dumont-both veterans of Marx Brothers movies. They, along with Sterling Holloway and other familiar character actors, provide some comic counterpoint in the proceedings. Fine musical performances by Fats Domino, Big Joe Turner, Tommy Charles, and Annitta Ray. Director Edward L. Cahn helms a zippy 75-mimute B-feature to its natural end, which wasn't surprising to me since I knew he made some good-and not so good-Our Gang shorts at M-G-M during its latter stage in the '40s. Oh, and the leading lady is Lisa Gaye who I remember being in Rock Around the Clock from a few years previous. So on that note, Shake, Rattle, and Rock! is worth a look for anyone interested in both the vintage musical performances and the amusing character turns throughout. P.S. Since I always like to cite players from my home state of Louisiana, here it's Fate Domino from New Orleans.

Before he was "Mannix" Mike Conners was billed as 'Touch' Conners and did this little 50s exploitation flick, that he would probably love to forget. It's the old saw about the older generation trying to put a halt to R&R, and the kids proving that it is just good, clean fun, as the jitterbug, black-bottom, etc. Somehow Sterling Hollaway (Waldo from "The Life of Riley") just doesn't measure up as the jive talking, smooth hipster, done so well in the 50s by Edd (Kookie) Byrnes. Fats and a few other groups that have since passed into obscurity perform some prehistoric tunes and the acting is sophomoric at best. A good one to watch-only if you are in the midst of a tremendous battle with your significant other or suffering a severe tooth-ache.

Well, I bought the DVD so I have to say that I like it. Solely because it's got Big Joe Turner in it along with Fats Domino. They're miming to what appear to be new versions of some of their own tracks. Just watching Big Joe "singing" is enough to get my vote. They're so little of him in his prime that I'm really grateful for anything I can get. Has an amusing call and response section with the young white teenage audience. And then he "appears" on TV. Fats Domino is his usual impeccable self. The plot and acting is all very silly but worth it for the brief performances. Has Margaret Dumont in as well with a wimpish husband although "the worm turns" by the end.

A more accurate title might be Sterling Holloway Showcase. In fact, it's his silly mug and goofy shenanigans that get the most screentime. On the other hand, viewers expecting a Fats Domino showcase may be disappointed in his brief screen time, limited to two of his most popular song hits. The flick's got more plot than expected as various public factions battle over R&R's moral acceptability, a lively issue at the time (1956). Critics allege that the uninhibited sounds lead to immoral conduct, while defenders show how it provides an avenue into constructive activities when dances are organized into do-gooder clubs. This last unfortunately comes across as a stab at respectable contrivance. After all, why is R&R any more disreputable than the equally lively jitterbug of the 40's.

Whatever the entertainment value, the cast is full of familiar faces from the 40's- the gnome-like Percy Helton, Groucho Marx's favorite foil Margaret Dumont, arch-villain Douglas Dumbrille, and a few others. In that sense, the flick's a sort of odd blending of old and new.

Anyway, as someone coming of age during that period, I really enjoyed seeing pretty girls in swishy skirts twirling across the dance floor. And how well I remember R&R exploding on the teen scene, it's hedonistic bent a welcome contrast to years of war and needed conformity (WWII, Korea, and the ongoing Cold War). But as a showcase of hit music from the era the movie's limited at best, despite the title.