Rock Rock Rock! (1956)

One of my all time favorites.

It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This is like watching Reefer Madness. It's an old drive-in movie with great original music that got the nickname: Rock-n-roll. Gotta watch. The math is hysterical, literally which is historically hysterically sexist. Really, gotta watch. And it's amazing that Tuesday Weld is 13. My husband graduated high school in 1962. Can't wait to watch it again with him. I can only vaguely remember the itchy scratchy of those crinoline slips. The music and dancing is great! Drive-in movies were not supposed to be watched closely. Most people "fooled around" during the talking and only started paying attention when the music started when they probably got out of their cars and danced. Enjoy this pure entertainment with good cinematography of the dancing and music. And Connie Francis dubbed in for Tuesday Weld is hilarious. I mean, did you know that Rock-n-roll "is the river of music?"

Although the low budget quality of the film is unfortunate it captures true Americana at its best. Happy, energetic youth dressing to the hilt, dancing with some style, and more worried about going to the dance than trying to buy a joint. Ike in the White House to protect us, no Viet Nam, no Watergate, no 911, and automobiles that were a work of art. The title song by Jimmy Cavallo is the essence of Rock and Roll..Young kids dancing with their peers in a simple but synchronized rhythm releasing their innermost feelings while having fun. And Alan Freed, what more can you say? The pioneer of a genre that helped break the shackles of a segregated culture. Although he was crucified for his efforts his smile on stage shows how happy he was to bring joy to the youth of America.

The reason I gave it 9 was for the acting but outside of that, this is a great movie of historical rock-n-roll value. Laverne Baker, The Moonglows, Chuck Berry, The Flamingos, and the key double dose scene at the end with Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers performing "Baby Baby" and "I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent" (Frankie was 13 at the time of filming.) Outside of the great performers, Alan Freed plays himself, Tuesday Weld (Also 13 at time of filming but looks more older)plays Dori who when singing is actually a dub of Connie Francis. The plot revolves around Dori wanting a specific dress and her dad, wanting to show her some responsibility tells her she has to earn a portion of the money to pay for the dress. This causes an issue when her nemesis allows her to loan her money at an illegal rate and refuses to pay it back. "Grab Your Partner, Grab Your Gal, And Rock" From Vanguard Films (1956)

I like this movie more every time I see it. It may be a very low budget film, but it looks great taking that into account anyway. And even though it was basically a showcase for the musical acts of that time, the thin storyline was really pretty good. A thirteen year-old Tuesday Weld proved that she could act quite well, this being her first film. And getting back to the musical talent here, almost all of it was great. I only wish that Chuck Berry had done one or two more numbers. The Moonglows, The Flamingos, and especially Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers were fantastic. Another minor musical criticism: I wish the great LaVern Baker had sung a better, more rocking r'n'b number. Jimmy Cavallo and his House Rockers were great too with the title tune (what ever became of him?). And of course, of great historical importance, this is the only film around of the legendary Johnny Burnette Trio performing (as far as I know).I'm pretty sure that this was filmed in the New York area, and if you look closely toward the end of the picture, you'll see a young Valerie Harper.This is one of the top rock'n'roll movies of the '50's, along with "Go,Johnny,Go" and "The Girl Can't Help It". It's a piece of musical history; a great time capsule.