Never Too Young to Rock

If ever there was a movie that had the words 'tax write off' stamped all over it.

This is the good, the bad and the glam.

In a dystopian future. A young man (Peter Denyer) and his van driver Mr Rockbottom (Freddie Jones) go round looking for some bands to play on a spectacular television show.

The enemies of pop music want it banned from television and some of them try to sabotage the van which can pick up the glamwaves.

Mud are the first ones who agree to go on, they are found in a roadside cafe with some football hooligans.

Along the way they meet The Glitter Band. Thankfully without the leader of the gang who was busy with a minor diversion.

It all ends up with a spectacular rock concert which also feature The Rubettes.

In many ways this is a low budget and badly produced drivel. The horror of glam rock.

How can you mess up Tiger Feet. Well the director does. A sweaty Les Gray sings his classic while a food fight breaks out led by a man called Nosher! People are talking all over the song. They could had at least reprised it at the concert.

Then there is some silly knockabout stuff inspired by The Beatles movies and Goon type humour. This includes Peter Noone in some army training scenes. The story is as clear as mud.

Mr Rockbottom does not even like modern rock music, he prefers a brass band.

Your mileage might depend on how much nostalgia you have of 1970s glam rock. If you remember the music you would enjoy it or else it will just be pretty absurd. I did dig the music and it was nice to see the bands in their pomp.

A young Midge Ure turns up with his band Slik. Strangely the bass player has a look that Midge would copy a few years later with Ultravox.

Theme song written by Tony Macaulay (Anthony Instone) a one man song factory having written and co-written so many hit songs (look him up).

Laurence Myers the executive producer has a great history.. check out the Cherry Red Records Youtube Video interview with him.

GTO Records, Bell Records, Rak Records were the big pop labels of the time.

Not an expensive to produce movie but still a lot of fun and a good look back into what British Rock/Pop was like in the 1974-1976 era.

all though i possibly agree that the acting was poor, i must say that i found the film to be a good laugh and as a teenager in the 70s it had some of the groups of the time in the film and it was entertaining. What made me think of this film is the sad loss of Les Gray who died recently I remember going to see the film and singing along with every one else to the songs, and yes the rubbetts on the back of a lorry is now reminded a site to behold. BUT i will say a film to watch if you are felling nostalgic for the 70s if only to wear.

I watched this film about 8 years ago, when they had a Glam Rock night on channel 4. I taped the film because of the music. Every comment I have seen on this film states it is set in the future. But it isn't, it is set in the mid seventies and it states at the beginning of the film, by the late seventies rock and roll will not be shown on T.V and it is up to the hero to prevent that, by enlisting the help of Mud, The Rubettes and The glitter Band. I wouldn't say the film is awful unless you hate seventies music and acting. The acting is not 100% but there are a few funny moments, but remember this is a music film and must only be watched for the music.

Purely for the music alone, this earned a 10 from me. Being a massive Glam Rock fan in the 70's, its a joy to watch. Of course, now with the deaths of Les Gray from Mud, and my own personal hero, Gerry Shephard from the Glitter Band, this film means much, much more to me now than it did way back then. I hope some mad person out there puts it on to DVD for the likes of us that never want to forget those fabulous times. As for the movie itself, I find pressing the fast-forward button through the most god-awful script helps it along. It is unbearably naff and so badly acted that is totally unwatchable. Still, just remember the music. Remember the music.