ROCK, ROCK, ROCK

 

Rock, Rock, Rock is primarily a concert film molded around a very slight plot about Tuesday Weld (13 years old at the time) trying to get the right dress for the prom. Most of the songs in the movie are presented during two points in the movie: when Weld and her friend watch The Alan Freed Show on TV and when Alan Freed brings his show to the prom. There are a few other songs in the film that are incorporated as if the movie was a standard musical.

There's a pretty large line-up in Rock, Rock, Rock with notable music acts: Chuck Berry, The Moonglows, The Flamingos, Teddy Randazzo, Alan Freed & His Rock & Roll Band w/"Big" Al Sears, The Johnny Burnette Trio, Lavern Baker, and Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers. There are a few other minor acts: Cirino and The Bowties, Jimmy Cavallo and The House Rockers, and child singer Ivy Schulman. Tuesday Weld "sings" two songs, with her vocals supplied by Connie Francis.

My favorite performances in the movie were by Chuck Berry, Johnny Burnette Trio, and Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers. There's a little something in the film for everyone: Doo Wop Groups, Rock Groups, R&B singers, Pop singers, and as noted above, even a child novelty singer.  Rock, Rock, Rock moves at a pretty brisk pace, since in 85 minutes it manages to have all the music acts, the other musical performances and the storyline. Although the plot was silly (at least by today's standards), the movie is well worth watching for the great line-up of stars.