Rock, Rock, Rock! (1956)

"Rock, Rock, Rock!" Made in 1956, this small-scale look at the then new phenomenon of Rock & Roll takes a page from the books of many of the big scale musicals made by Hollywood studios. Like them, the musical performances more than make up for the thin plot and occasional weak dialogue. The biggest bonus is that the last half of the film is all music, when Alan Freed brings his show to the hero's prom. Before the advent of music videos promoting record sales, this film is essentially a 76-minute commercial for the top Rock 'n' Roll and R & B artists of the time. Starring Alan Freed (at the peak of his power and influence as the man who actually coined the term "Rock 'n' Roll") it also marks the screen debut of Tuesday Weld - albeit that her singing was actually the angelic voice of Connie Francis. On Screen performances include those from Chuck Berry, Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers, The Johnny Burnette Trio, LaVern Baker and The Freed Band.

Bonus Material: The Alan Freed Story The dean of rock music historians, Michael Ochs, describes the 'innocence' of the early Alan Freed concerts when 50% of the audience was black and 50% white. He chronicles the rise and fall of Freed as the voice of Rock 'n' Roll and the payola scandal the ended the DJ's career. Veteran musician Red Holloway speaks of America's narrow-mindedness when radio stations across the country decided to destroy records of this Rock and R&B music they considered to be damaging to the morals of American teenagers. Cornelius Grant, Motown's Music Director for Marvin Gaye, Mary Wells and The Temptations, credits Alan Freed with giving legitimacy to R&B by taking it to the mass music market and dubbing it Rock & Roll. Singer Bobby Vinton describes from his own experience how records were turned into hits in these early days of the Rock Era. In 1986 Alan freed was among the original Inductees to the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and, in 1991, he received the ultimate accolade of a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.

rose

The reason I purchased this movie was because of singer Teddy Randazzo,for me he sure can sing and good lookin, and also the
music is fabulous,thanks to Alan Freed for bringing in all those artists.
August 30, 2008

More than just a movie...!,

I don't care about the movie itself but I consider it as a real
cult movie showing an era when Rock & Roll was just starting and kids
were kind of innocent. The "raw" musical interpretations are so
well done by the various artists that, while watching the movie,
you're completely transported to those wonderful good old early
authentic Rock & Roll days. Elvis had just come out with his first
big hit when this was filmed and the "inventor" of the expression
"Rock & Roll" Mr. Alan Freed is an important part of this cult movie,
probably the best one to describe those unforgettable days we lived
through at the age Tuesday Weld made her film debut.
October 19, 2007

Cheesy but great!

If you love classic R&B and Rockabilly, this is the film for you. Although the dialog is cheesy, it showcases some of the best musical artists of that time. It will inspire you hit your nearest muusic store. August 9, 2007

Slow but great music

It was too boring and drawn out. Not a good story line, but awesome music. May 12, 2007

Stars are for the music........

Those were the days, so much talent out there trying to make it in the
music world, and we get to see some of them at their best. Instead of
a movie with continuous music acts, they made a movie out of this one with
a yound T.W. taking the part of a teenager who cant afford a new dress for
the prom and this promotes classic 50's situations...and in between we get
all the musical gold. Very enjoyable and can be watched several times due
to the music. April 27, 2007

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