Don't Knock the Twist (1962)

If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

Double Lame vote here. The only known celebrity of note is Ernest Evans whose stage name, Chubby Checker was suggested by Dick Clark's first wife, Barbara, as a take off on "Fats" Domino. Chubby deserved better treatment than this movie gave him. The movie sucks and only Chubby's music and the film presentation of the dances attributed to him make it bearable to watchFYI, Ernest Evans was born on October 3, 1941 in Spring Gulley, South Carolina. Later his parents moved to South Philadelphia, PA. He was an alumnus of South Philadelphia High School,the same high school that gave us Frankie Avalon and Fabian (Forte). Ernest and Faian used to dance and sing entertain their classmates when given the opportunity.The song The Twist had been a Rhythm and Blues recording for Hank Ballard and was one of the songs in young Mr. Evans repertoire. Dick Clark arranged for the now Chubby Checker to record the song for the Cameo-Parkway label. After Chubby appeared on American Bandstand the song became a #1 hit and launched his career.Other songs on Chubby's hit list were The Pony, Let's Twist Again (like we did last summer), The Fly (which was used in the movie Don't Knock the Twist) and Limbo Rock to name a few. In fact The Twist emerged again in 1961 and climbed to #1 again, a feat that is shared only with Bing Crosby for White Christmas.

You can tell right away that this is a quickie to join the parade of "twist" theme movies. A TV executive (Lang Jeffries)is trying to put together a TV special a couple weeks ahead of a competing station. He just happens to call on Chubby Checker to come to his rescue. Chubby wrangles Gene Chandler, Vic Dana, Linda Scott and the Dovells to appear. The spotlight ends up on a young dancer(Georgine Darcy).Plenty of shimmy shakin' goin' on. Of course the talent, excluding Checker of course, are barely one hit wonders. Very little depth to the plot, but watching again will bring back some memories.Also in the cast are Mari Blanchard, Stephen Preston and Nydia Westman.

A very entertaining film with music that takes me back to my senior year in high school. Unlike most of these rock n roll movies, this one clearly shows middle aged and even elderly adults enjoying the music of teenagers. I find that refreshing, although mostly unrealistic. I also enjoy watching Georgine Darcy's(Madge) and her "brother" doing their dance routine. Georgine is a real pro and makes the show more enjoyable.(I would love to know how to contact her.) A real neat movie!

Hollywood just never did get it when it came to rock & roll in the early years, did they? I think I know one thing that was wrong with movies about rock in the pre-'Easy Rider' days--they were full o' SQUARES, man! This one is an effort by Columbia Pictures to capitalize on the Twist dance craze. It was produced by the noted cost-cutter Sam Katzman, the man responsible for the worst of Elvis Presley's films, and it shows. It's strictly formula: a simple, basic plot; lots of time consumed by (lip-synched) performances; and a few pretty girls wiggling around. Even so, this movie is comparatively bad for its type--and that means very bad.The music is no saving grace here. It features Chubby Checker, who, despite his big hits, is no more than a peripheral character in rock & roll history. Vic Dana, the Dovells and Linda Scott are all but forgotten. Gene Chandler does do his big hit, "Duke of Earl," all duded up. That's not much of a highlight package. This flick is only for the fanatic who wants to see every old R&R film ever made.