Don't Knock The Rock

1956 "Rock'N'Roll Will Save The Day!"
5.7| 1h24m| en| More Info
Released: 14 December 1956 Released
Producted By: Clover Productions
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
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Synopsis

Rock-and-roller Arnie Haynes returns to his hometown as a hero to the teenagers. However, the mayor and other concerned adults have banned him from performing in his hometown because they consider him and his music a negative influence on the youth. But with the help of disc jockey/publicist Alan Freed and fellow artists (including Bill Haley and the Comets and Little Richard), they hope to convince everyone that rock and roll is not as dangerous as the adults think.

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Reviews

Helloturia I have absolutely never seen anything like this movie before. You have to see this movie.
Gutsycurene Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.
Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.
Maleeha Vincent It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.
digitalcool This is yet another of a group of early R&R films with the same moral...."Parents, don't judge the music of your kids harshly...after all, you were a bunch of flappers back in your day, screaming '23 Skiddoo' while jitterbugging like crazy..." This film would have been better, MUCH better, if they actually had a Rock N Roll guy as the lead. But they had a Bing Crosby type, moaning out some pretty awful tunes. I'm sure there were some very restless teenagers in the theater when this film was released. They probably couldn't wait 'till the REAL rockers came on screen. Once that happened, the film came into it's own. As has been pointed out in earlier posts, these performances are the centerpiece of the film.In addition to the musical numbers by Haley & the Comets, the Treniers and Little Richard, the dancing was pretty amazing in this movie. Young people of the past could really move, unlike today (also check out YouTube clips of Ronnie Spector dancing at the Pepppermint Lounge during The Beatles '64 tour; clips from the early 70's Soul Train line; and clips from the 80's film "Breakin'" to see what young folks could do during the past decades).Another bright spot was the performance of Jana Lund as the bratty, teenage nymphet. She did an amazingly sultry dance when first spotted, and you just knew this kitten would be trouble. On top of that, Ms. Lund was wearing the most blatant example of a 50's "Balistic Missle Bra" since Janet Leigh in "Jet Pilot".All in all, not a bad film, but not as good or as much fun as "Rock Around The Clock".
JoeKarlosi New York singer Arnie Haines (Alan Dale) is tired of his career as a famous recording star so he takes a break by visiting his old tiny home town. When he arrives he discovers that he's now despised by all the crotchety adults who feel that rock music is ruining their kids' lives. Haines decides to stage a big rock and roll show in the next town to prove to the parents that rock can be a good influence for their children. Arnie Haines himself is more of a crooner and not a joy to listen to, but we do get to hear several numbers by Bill Haley and His Comets, as well as the great Little Richard, who belts out his awesome killer renditions of "Long Tall Sally" and "Tutti Frutti". The movie is a good relic for rock 'n roll history, and also manages to take a shot at modern-day (1950s) parents to make them realize how their old music of the 20s and 30s was just as "wild" as their kids'. While the movie makes a valid point there in showing those generational similarities, the truth is that 1950s rock music was always pretty innocent enough, but the same case for a meeting of the generations couldn't be made for 2007 parents weaned on '50s music as compared to today's Gangsta cRap. *** out of ****
caab241 I recently purchased this movie for the Lindy Hop scenes and I wasn't disappointed, the dancing is incredible. If only the movie opened with dancing instead of Arnie Haines and screaming teenagers! Once you get into the film there's dancing on pianos and couches in Arnie's apartment/hotel room?, a killer jam circle with Bill Hailey and the Comets backing, and a crazy Charleston scene that rivals anything I've seen on film. The plot was OK and the acting so-so, but the music and dancing makes up for the film's shortcomings. I was impressed with Bill Hailey and the Comets, especially during their instrumental jam session, which displays their musical talent and personality more so than their most well-known commercial hits.
unclerussie I always liked this film. Not a bad plot, the acting is better than average and there is, of course, some great music. Bill Haley and Little Richard provide some real excitement, plus here's a chance to see the great Treniers and talented pop singer Alan Dale in rare screen appearances. The legendary Alan Freed plays a sometimes over zealous manager and is terrific in the role. Rock and Roll fans should not pass this one by!

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