Don't Knock The Rock (full movie) -1956

Another mid-50's rock n' roll exploitation quickie, made famous because of the appearance of both Bill Haley and The Comets and Little Richard.

Interestingly, Bill Haley covers Little Richard's "Rip It Up" in one sequence.

Also on hand are the Treniers who's antics nearly steal the show.

Finally, for swing dancers, you get to see that '50's generation of pro Lindy Hop dancers doing that Smooth Style that they used often in these movies...even though real teenagers during the '50's did a much more simplified version...or versions of swing dancing, depending on where they lived. (For reference, check out "Rock Baby Rock It!" which is also on this channel.)

The plot? Rock n' roll singer Alan Dale (Alan Dale...a Sinatra/Como type crooner?!) comes back to his home town and causes a stir when the teens want him to put on a show...while the "square" adults feel it all leads up to juvenile delinquency. "Ripped from today's headlines!", and yet, it was also the plot of many other rock n' roll flicks made during this time.

The acting is wooden, but you really want to hear and see the other rock n' roll acts, the swing dancers (including "The Winners of The Harvest Moon Contest Jimmy and Joveda Williams!"), and that oh so hot Jana Lund (who also was in "High School Hellcats" and Elvis' "Loving You."

One thing that is strange by our modern standards is the fact that even though most of the acts are African American, with the exception of the previously mentioned Williams dance couple...the whole audience is caucasian. (Kind of like seeing a rap video with NO black kids at all.)

Well, it was the '50's, and the Civil Rights Movement was just getting started.

Still, an interesting time capsule of fashions and attitudes of the '50's...b-movie style.

All that's missing is the duck and cover drills!

Category:

Entertainment

[rickbandana]

I thought Bill Haley was gonna get into the fight...

Thanks a lot for sharing!

[sabinoson]

@rickbandana My pleasure. Glad you liked it. More '50's rock n' teen flicks to come.

[SenhordoBonfim]

I love this movie. Thanks for posting it.

[sabinoson]

@SenhordoBonfim My pleasure.

Thanks for tuning in.

[Lorenzo1950]

One of the best dance movies ever.

[sabinoson]

@Lorenzo1950 Yeah, I like it for that too. In addition to great music from Little Richard, Bill Haley and The Comets, and The Treniers, we see Smooth style Lindy Hoppers Lennie Smith, Gil and Nikky Brady, Joe Lanza, and Freida Wycoff adapting 1940's style lindy hop to 1950's rock n' roll...with impressive and flashy results! :-)

It seems like those dancers supplied most of the background swing dancing throughout the 1950's.

[garybrown57]

so cool love it!!!!!!! cheers gazza uk

[surfercrow]

The Treniers! - 45:45

[StevePastor50]

Segregation was a very real fact when this film was produced in the Fall of 1956. 

[iburl]

1:02:48 - Long Tall Sally by Little Richard