Twist Around the Clock

Teen potboilers should not be viewed with hope that great cinematography or compelling plots loom within. Instead, catch Twist and its counterparts through the decades just for the music, slang, and fashion. Ignore loose lip-syncs...even big-budget musicals have missed the alignment at times. Forgive this film for failing to meet music video standards, and just appreciate the stage performances by hit acts of the era. Understand that the Twist was a hugely popular dance that spawned several hit songs just about the dance, a movement across the country that loosened up the straight-laced post-McCarthy public, increased popularity of African-American performers who had more often up to that time been known better by the cover records of their songs by white stars. There was even paperback book about the impact the Twist had on "discoteques" around the planet. Maybe this little film would have been better had the producers simply stripped out the plot and made a documentary of the performers, but there were other films of this kind, and continue to be. Think about it...is showcasing the performers that different from Twist to Justin Loves Kelly, Get Rich or Die Trying', Our Dancing Daughters, 8 Mile, Spice Girls, Help, or Orchestra Wives? But do people go to a film if there's no plot, even a thin one? Some are better than others, but they're all showcases of a music in its time and place. If you don't like the music circa 1961, then pass it by. Otherwise, don't hold it to the same standards as your favorite blockbuster or art house Golden Palm winner.

When Chubby Checker performs, he has an energy that is almost as electric as Elvis. Dion's writing talents are showcased also. Beyond that, Twist Around the Clock is only interesting as a comedy.

You've got older management-types speaking some real hep lines that someone has written for them. While The Twist is being performed onstage, you can see the middle-class, sedate audience sitting like statues. Seriously, no one is even tapping a foot.

Finally, dig those bogus songs that are performed by Vicki Spencer. The lyrics are laughable. Really, much of this movie is laughable, and I received some enjoyment viewing it on that level.

I really enjoyed TWIST AROUND THE CLOCK as a genuinely snazzy low budget 1961 dance pic with a roster of (still) very well known songs. Other comments will tell you how identical it is to ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK (it certainly is) but for me that did not diminish any of the delight. I am quite fascinated by Vicki Spencer who I see only made one other film TEENAGE MILLIONAIRE. What happened to her? In TWIST she is almost everything Ann-Margret is a year later in BYE BYE BIRDIE... even in her gorgeous looks. Dion I had never seen but knew the songs well (The Wanderer, Runaround Sue) ... he is certainly the iconic 60s nightclub star in the Bobby Darin style. I found the script hilarious. It is actually funny with some great sly comments... especially between the father and daughter nemeses... Chubby Checker is his dynamite fun self... I also thought he was very handsome in this film, given I guess he was in his mid 20s, something I had never observed... perhaps that is because I am used to seeing later years material when he looks good, but here, younger he is certainly compelling. TWIST is enormous musical fun and for kids to enjoy because they could actually dance along with it. My DVD is a Canadian reprint with new titles over the original Katzman/Columbia 35mm release... the body of the film is the same as the original film. I had such a good time watching this film... I really laughed with it and thought the songs terrific... and then there is the dance team fun.... and The incredible Marcels to top it off.

This movie is living proof that the same stupid gags used in the teen flicks of the 80s and 90s have now been around for decades and that Hollywood thought as little of teens 40 years ago as they do today. If you like the song "The Twist", as do I (my reason for watching), buy the record. Poor acting, laughably sad lip-synching and a feeble excuse of a plot, among other things, lead me to question why a TV programmer would bother airing it.

Rock and Roll in America was dead, and this movie proves it. Twist Around the Clock has none of the energy and sheer, raw brilliance of it's 1950s predecessors. Fortunately, the British invasion was on it's way. Crazy Daddy!