Rock 'n' Roll Revue

A previous commentator stated that while he enjoyed several songs none were rock and roll. All the music on this short film are most definitely rock and roll, just mid 1950's rock and roll. I was 15 in 1955 and this is what we enjoyed then. As with all things, music, film, art, literature and morality everything changes over time.

Hi, Everyone,

I have a version of this that is part of a DVD collection which contains 10 titles. My version of the movie lasts less than 40 minutes, although the information that accompanies the collection lists the running time as 75 minutes.

I watched the video and enjoyed Big Joe Turner's one song and the Clovers' one song. Dinah Washington sang a nice tune and Nat "King" Cole did a number with his trio.

Duke Ellington appears twice and his drummer Louis Bellson is featured on one song. All the music is good but never great, and except for the Clovers and Big Joe Turner, not Rock and Roll. It is quite possible some of the missing acts are Rock and Roll and it somehow was lost for the copy I have. Larry Darnell does an excellent job with his upbeat ballad and comes across much like Sam Cooke.

The emcee is excellent, even though the audience footage appears to be from some different show. Leonard Reed performs well in a comedy sketch. There is a good tap dance routine by a duo who later appear as comic actors.

I would have enjoyed it more if I had seen the version with Nipsey Russell and Ruth Brown and Mantan Moreland.

For 1955 I would have liked it more if Nat Cole had done one of his hits.

Tom Willett

This appears to be a compilation of clips from the 1955 TV syndicated show "Showtime at the Apollo," put together for theatrical release. One of several similar releases at this same time. Various incarnations of these clips from this 13-episode series have been in circulation for years. (The audience may have been at the Apollo, but these performances were obviously filmed on a New York City sound stage. Much as were the 1956-1957 rock and roll-themed musicals with Alan Freed, Bill Haley, etc).