The Emergence of American Rock 'n' Roll Music.
by alexanderdavies-99382 | created - 09 May 2022 | updated - 30 Nov 2022 | PublicBuddy Holly, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran and Elvis Presley: without the above, rock 'n' roll music wouldn't exist. My list includes documentaries, as well as films.
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1. Rock Around the Clock (1956)
Not Rated | 77 min | Comedy, Music, Romance
A frustrated big-band promoter bumps into rock-and-rollers Bill Haley and the Comets.
Director: Fred F. Sears | Stars: Bill Haley and the Comets, Bill Haley, The Platters, Ernie Freeman Combo
Votes: 1,302 | Gross: $4.00M
2. Mister Rock and Roll (1957)
Not Rated | 86 min | Drama, Musical
The saga of how Alan Freed discovered rock and roll. The new musical sounds are traced back to their roots in jazz, blues and gospel. Appearances by Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Clyde McPhatter, Frankie Lymon, Lionel Hampton.
Director: Charles S. Dubin | Stars: Alan Freed, Teddy Randazzo, Lois O'Brien, Rocky Graziano
Votes: 99
3. Go, Johnny, Go! (1959)
G | 75 min | Drama, Music, Romance
Rock-n-roll promoter Alan Freed holds a talent search to develop a new rock star, then must find the elusive, mystery contestant (Jimmy Clanton) who doesn't know he has won.
Director: Paul Landres | Stars: Alan Freed, Jimmy Clanton, Sandy Stewart, Chuck Berry
Votes: 482
4.
Arena (1975– )
Episode:
The Real Buddy Holly Story
(1985)
86 min | Documentary
Documentary looking at the short but brilliant career of legendary rock 'n' roll star Buddy Holly. Features interviews with contemporaries and fans including Paul McCartney.
Director: Richard Spence | Stars: Larry Holley, Travis Holley, Sonny Curtis, Jerry Allison
Votes: 126
5. Buddy Holly: Rave On (2017 TV Movie)
Documentary, Biography, Music
Director: George Scott | Stars: Jerry Allison, Paul Anka, David Bigham, The Crickets
Votes: 19
6. The Buddy Holly Conspiracy (2017– )
Crime, Sci-Fi
Strange things begin to happen after a man travels back in time to stop the death of Buddy Holly.
Star: Evan Snyder
Votes: 23
7. Not Fade Away: Remembering Buddy Holly (1996 TV Special)
Music
Directors: Robin Creasman, William A. Landers | Stars: Suzy Bogguss, Dave Edmunds, Nanci Griffith, Buddy Holly
Votes: 8
8. Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll (1987)
PG | 120 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
This documentary movie covers two concerts at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri, to celebrate Chuck Berry's 60th birthday, and also discusses his life and career.
Director: Taylor Hackford | Stars: Chuck Berry, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Bo Diddley
Votes: 1,570 | Gross: $0.72M
9. Chuck Berry (2018)
103 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Story of Chuck Berry told by his relatives and friends.
Director: Jon Brewer | Stars: Themetta Berry, Ingrid Berry, Charles Berry Jr., Steven Van Zandt
Votes: 246
10. The Little Richard Story (1980)
90 min | Documentary
Director: William Klein | Star: Little Richard
Votes: 45
11. Little Richard: Keep on Rockin' (1973)
Not Rated | 26 min | Documentary, Short, Music
Little Richard was one of the first great wildmen of rock, with his sky-high pompadour, manic scream and frantically rockin' tunes like "Tutti Frutti" and "Keep A' Knockin'." Keep On Rockin... See full summary »
Director: D.A. Pennebaker | Stars: Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Jimi Hendrix
Votes: 50
12. It's Little Richard (1964 TV Movie)
Music
Little Richard is immaculate in his sleek 1960's tailored suit and skinny tie. He rocks the British kids and adults too, with Jimmy Saville is in the audience. He's got 'em in the palm of ... See full summary »
Director: Philip Casson | Stars: Little Richard, Doris Kenner-Jackson, The Shirelles, Sounds Incorporated
Votes: 10
13. Little Richard: Portrait of a Legend (1977 TV Movie)
Documentary, Biography, Music
Documentary about rock-and-roll pioneer Little Richard, from his early days at the beginning of the rock era to the present, and covering his drug problems, his sporadic exits from and ... See full summary »
Stars: Little Richard, James Darren
15. Blue Suede Shoes: A Rockabilly Session with Carl Perkins and Friends (1985 TV Special)
G | 50 min | Music
Director: Tom Gutteridge | Stars: Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins
Votes: 51
16. Elvis: The Beginning (2003 Video)
82 min | Documentary
Documentary about Elvis Presley's first tour in 1954.
Stars: Bill Black, Scotty Moore, Elvis Presley
Votes: 23
17. Elvis Presley: From the Beginning to the End (2004 Video)
61 min | Documentary, Biography
A warm, moving and sensitive tribute and a comprehensive and detailed biography of Elvis' life. Utilizing rare footage and photos from the 42 years of his life, the film follows the Presley... See full summary »
Director: Marino Amoruso | Stars: Lee Hanover, Martin Lockman, Sam Phillips, Elvis Presley
Votes: 70
18. Elvis: The Comeback Special (1968 TV Special)
Not Rated | 50 min | Documentary, Music, Musical
After making movies for many years, Elvis Presley makes a comeback tour in 1968.
Director: Steve Binder | Stars: Elvis Presley, D.J. Fontana, Charlie Hodge, Scotty Moore
Votes: 2,204
19. Elvis (2005)
TV-14 | 87 min | Biography, Drama, Music
A chronicle of the life of Elvis Presley, from his humble beginnings to his rise to international stardom.
Stars: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Rose McGowan, Randy Quaid, Tim Guinee
Votes: 4,191
20. This Is Elvis (1981)
PG | 110 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
The life and career of Elvis Presley are chronicled in home movies, concert footage, and dramatizations. Subjects include early performances, army service, Ed Sullivan Show appearance, marriage, 1968 comeback, health decline and death.
Directors: Malcolm Leo, Andrew Solt | Stars: Elvis Presley, David Scott, Paul Boensch III, Johnny Harra
Votes: 1,645 | Gross: $2.03M
21. Elvis by the Presleys (2005 TV Movie)
90 min | Documentary, Music
Priscilla Presley, her daughter, their family and their friends opened their hearts in the backdrop of Graceland's memories with much modesty and emotion. Rare documents, confessions, ... See full summary »
Director: Rob Klug | Stars: Elvis Presley, Lisa Marie Presley, Priscilla Presley, Riley Keough
Votes: 337
22. Jerry Lee Lewis: The Story of Rock & Roll (1991 Video)
Not Rated | 60 min | Documentary, Music
A biography of pioneering rock-and-roller Jerry Lee Lewis, with clips from his past concerts, television and movie appearances together with footage from his present-day career.
Directors: Chris Hegedus, D.A. Pennebaker | Star: Jerry Lee Lewis
Votes: 59
23. Jerry Lee Lewis and Friends (2002 Video)
Not Rated | 60 min | Documentary, Music
This concert, recorded at London's Hammersmith Apollo in 1989, features "the killer" in performances of his classic tracks such as Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On, What I'd Say, High School ... See full summary »
Director: Phil Chilvers | Stars: James Burton, Dave Davies, Dave Edmunds, Jerry Lee Lewis
Votes: 30
24. Don't Knock the Rock (1956)
Approved | 84 min | Music
A disc jockey tries to prove to teenagers' parents that rock 'n' roll is harmless and won't turn their kids into juvenile delinquents.
Director: Fred F. Sears | Stars: Bill Haley and the Comets, Bill Haley, Alan Dale, Alan Freed
Votes: 412
25. Jailhouse Rock (1957)
Not Rated | 96 min | Drama, Music, Musical
After serving time for manslaughter, young Vince Everett becomes a teenage rock star.
Director: Richard Thorpe | Stars: Elvis Presley, Judy Tyler, Mickey Shaughnessy, Vaughn Taylor
Votes: 9,833 | Gross: $4.00M
26. King Creole (1958)
PG | 116 min | Crime, Drama, Musical
A troubled youth's singing sets New Orleans rockin'. With a sweet girl to love him and nightclubbers cheering, it seems he will shake off his past and head for the top. But will a mobster and his man-trap moll snare him in a life of crime?
Director: Michael Curtiz | Stars: Elvis Presley, Carolyn Jones, Walter Matthau, Dolores Hart
Votes: 6,431
27. Loving You (1957)
Approved | 101 min | Drama, Music, Musical
A musician and a publicist help a delivery man achieve stardom.
Director: Hal Kanter | Stars: Elvis Presley, Lizabeth Scott, Wendell Corey, James Gleason
Votes: 2,515
28. G.I. Blues (1960)
PG | 104 min | Comedy, Musical
Tulsa, a soldier with dreams of running his own nightclub, places a bet with his friend Dynamite that he can win the heart of an untouchable dancer...but when Dynamite is transferred, Tulsa must replace him in the bet.
Director: Norman Taurog | Stars: Elvis Presley, Juliet Prowse, Robert Ivers, James Douglas
Votes: 4,453 | Gross: $9.37M
29. Blue Hawaii (1961)
Approved | 102 min | Comedy, Musical
After arriving back in Hawaii from the Army, Chad Gates (Elvis Presley) defies his parents' wishes for him to work at the family business and instead goes to work as a tour guide at his girlfriend's agency.
Director: Norman Taurog | Stars: Elvis Presley, Joan Blackman, Angela Lansbury, Nancy Walters
Votes: 7,504 | Gross: $10.44M
30. Kid Galahad (1962)
Approved | 96 min | Drama, Musical, Sport
After completing his military service, Walter Gulick takes a job as a sparring partner at a gym, the owner of which sees potential in Walter as a professional fighter and takes him under his wing.
Director: Phil Karlson | Stars: Elvis Presley, Gig Young, Lola Albright, Joan Blackman
Votes: 3,113 | Gross: $1.80M
31. Follow That Dream (1962)
109 min | Comedy, Musical, Romance
A family of ragtag vagabonds sets up a makeshift home on a Florida beach after becoming marooned there, prompting an uptight local bureaucrat to attempt to evict them.
Director: Gordon Douglas | Stars: Elvis Presley, Arthur O'Connell, Anne Helm, Joanna Moore
Votes: 2,997
32. It Happened at the World's Fair (1963)
Not Rated | 105 min | Comedy, Musical, Romance
Mike and Danny hitch a ride to the World's Fair in Seattle after the sheriff seizes their crop duster biplane to cover Danny's gambling debts. Mike looks after the driver's 7 y.o. niece at the fair, where he meets a cute nurse.
Director: Norman Taurog | Stars: Elvis Presley, Joan O'Brien, Gary Lockwood, Vicky Tiu
Votes: 3,133
33. Fun in Acapulco (1963)
PG | 97 min | Comedy, Music
A yacht owner's spoiled daughter gets Mike fired, but a boy helps him get a job as singer at Acapulco Hilton etc. He upsets the lifeguard by taking his girl and 3 daily work hours. Mike's also seeing a woman bullfighter.
Director: Richard Thorpe | Stars: Elvis Presley, Ursula Andress, Elsa Cárdenas, Paul Lukas
Votes: 3,783
34. Kissin' Cousins (1964)
Approved | 96 min | Comedy, Musical, Romance
An Army officer returns to the Smoky Mountains to try to convince his kinfolk to allow the Army to build a missile site on their land. Once he gets there, he discovers that he has a look-alike cousin.
Director: Gene Nelson | Stars: Elvis Presley, Arthur O'Connell, Glenda Farrell, Jack Albertson
Votes: 2,502
35. Roustabout (1964)
PG | 101 min | Drama, Music, Musical
After a singer loses his job at a coffee shop, he finds employment at a struggling carnival, but his attempted romance with a teenager leads to friction with her father.
Director: John Rich | Stars: Elvis Presley, Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Freeman, Leif Erickson
Votes: 3,315 | Gross: $7.19M
36. Tickle Me (1965)
Not Rated | 90 min | Comedy, Musical, Romance
A singing rodeo rider gets hired at an expensive all-female dude ranch/beauty spa and falls for a pretty fitness trainer who's under constant threat from a gang who wants her late grandfather's cache of gold that's hidden in a ghost town.
Director: Norman Taurog | Stars: Elvis Presley, Julie Adams, Jocelyn Lane, Jack Mullaney
Votes: 2,029 | Gross: $7.41M
37. Girl Happy (1965)
Not Rated | 96 min | Comedy, Musical, Romance
A Chicago mobster hires a rock'n'roll singer and his band to keep an eye on his daughter during Spring Break in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Director: Boris Sagal | Stars: Elvis Presley, Shelley Fabares, Harold J. Stone, Gary Crosby
Votes: 2,971 | Gross: $7.09M
38. Harum Scarum (1965)
Approved | 95 min | Comedy, Crime, Musical
American singer Johnny Tyronne is enlisted by sinister forces to assassinate an Arab king--and falls in love with that very king's daughter.
Director: Gene Nelson | Stars: Elvis Presley, Mary Ann Mobley, Fran Jeffries, Michael Ansara
Votes: 1,974
39. Frankie and Johnny (1966)
Approved | 87 min | Comedy, Musical, Romance
A riverboat singer with a weakness for gambling wants to find his lucky redhead, but his girlfriend Frankie is not amused.
Director: Frederick De Cordova | Stars: Elvis Presley, Donna Douglas, Harry Morgan, Sue Ane Langdon
Votes: 2,391
40. Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966)
Approved | 91 min | Comedy, Musical
Rick Richards is a helicopter pilot who wants to set up a charter flying service in Hawaii -- along the way he makes some friends, including a young Hawaiian girl and her father, romances Judy Hudson, and sings a few songs.
Director: Michael D. Moore | Stars: Elvis Presley, Suzanna Leigh, James Shigeta, Donna Butterworth
Votes: 2,468 | Gross: $2.50M
41. Spinout (1966)
Not Rated | 93 min | Comedy, Musical, Romance
Band singer/race driver Mike McCoy must choose between marrying a beautiful rich girl and driving her father's car in a prestigious race.
Director: Norman Taurog | Stars: Elvis Presley, Shelley Fabares, Diane McBain, Deborah Walley
Votes: 2,359
42. Easy Come, Easy Go (1967)
PG | 95 min | Adventure, Comedy, Music
Navy frogman, Ted Jackson (Elvis Presley), balances his time between twin careers as a deep sea diver and nightclub singer. During a dive, Ted spots sunken treasure and returns with hope to retrieve it.
Director: John Rich | Stars: Elvis Presley, Dodie Marshall, Pat Priest, Pat Harrington Jr.
Votes: 1,877 | Gross: $4.25M
43. Double Trouble (1967)
Not Rated | 91 min | Comedy, Crime, Drama
When singer Guy Lambert goes on tour in Europe, he is pursued by two beautiful women, bumbling jewel thieves, and a mysterious killer.
Director: Norman Taurog | Stars: Elvis Presley, Annette Day, John Williams, Yvonne Romain
Votes: 1,855 | Gross: $3.49M
44. Clambake (1967)
TV-G | 99 min | Comedy, Musical
The heir to an oil fortune trades places with a water-ski instructor at a Florida hotel to see if girls will like him for himself rather than for his father's money.
Director: Arthur H. Nadel | Stars: Elvis Presley, Shelley Fabares, Will Hutchins, Bill Bixby
Votes: 3,231
45. Stay Away, Joe (1968)
PG | 102 min | Comedy, Musical, Romance
A mixed-race American Indian rodeo champ returns to the reservation to help his people out.
Director: Peter Tewksbury | Stars: Elvis Presley, Burgess Meredith, Joan Blondell, Katy Jurado
Votes: 1,528
46. Speedway (1968)
G | 94 min | Comedy, Musical, Romance
Poor bookkeeping saddles stock-car driver Steve Grayson with a huge bill for back taxes which hampers his ability to continue racing competitively.
Director: Norman Taurog | Stars: Elvis Presley, Nancy Sinatra, Bill Bixby, Gale Gordon
Votes: 2,744
47. Live a Little, Love a Little (1968)
M | 90 min | Comedy, Musical, Romance
Photographer Greg Nolan moonlights in two full-time jobs to pay the rent, but has trouble finding time to do them both without his bosses finding out.
Director: Norman Taurog | Stars: Elvis Presley, Michele Carey, Don Porter, Rudy Vallee
Votes: 2,047
48. Charro! (1969)
G | 98 min | Western
Vince Hackett's gang steals a prized victory cannon from Mexico and blames the deed on ex-gang member Jess Wade, who wants to go straight.
Director: Charles Marquis Warren | Stars: Elvis Presley, Ina Balin, Victor French, Barbara Werle
Votes: 2,377 | Gross: $3.27M
49. The Trouble with Girls (1969)
G | 97 min | Comedy, History, Musical
Chautauqua manager Walter Hale and his loyal business manager struggle to keep their traveling troupe together in small-town America.
Director: Peter Tewksbury | Stars: Elvis Presley, Marlyn Mason, Nicole Jaffe, Sheree North
Votes: 1,777
50. Elvis Presley: The Searcher (2018)
TV-PG | 205 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Elvis Presley's evolution as a musician and a man.
Director: Thom Zimny | Stars: Steve Allen, Ann-Margret, Chet Atkins, Chris Bearde
Votes: 2,696
51. Elvis and the Colonel: The Untold Story (1993 TV Movie)
100 min | Biography, Drama, Music
The story of superstar Elvis Presley and the relationship between he and Colonel Tom Parker, his manager and the man who discovered--and, many say, exploited--him.
Director: William A. Graham | Stars: Beau Bridges, Rob Youngblood, Richard Anders, Alan Bergman
Votes: 95
52. Elvis: That's the Way It Is (1970)
PG | 97 min | Documentary, Music
After years of making movies, the King made a triumphant return to the stage in 1970. Now, see the backstage footage from rehearsals to relaxing at the hotel and the performances in one of the most intimate looks at Elvis captured on film.
Director: Denis Sanders | Stars: Elvis Presley, James Burton, Glen D. Hardin, Charlie Hodge
Votes: 3,248
53. The Elvis Files (1990 Video)
Not Rated | 55 min | Documentary
An Elvis mystery reopened
Director: Laurette Healey | Stars: Gail Brewer-Giorgio, Maria Columbus, Ed Hopkins, Larry J. Kolb
Votes: 29
54. Elvis on Tour (1972)
G | 93 min | Documentary, Music
Concert footage and offstage documentary of singer Elvis Presley.
Directors: Robert Abel, Pierre Adidge | Stars: Elvis Presley, Bill Baize, Estell Brown, James Burton
Votes: 1,874
55. Elvis: The Last 24 Hours (2005 TV Movie)
54 min | Drama
The last 24 hours in the life of Elvis are counted down
Director: Mike Parkinson | Star: Elvis Presley
Votes: 109
56. To teleftaio tragoudi tou Elvis (2009)
100 min | Drama, Romance
Director: Vasilis Raisis | Stars: Thanos Angelis, Ioanna Meli, Gavriil Efstathiou, Panagiotis Kalamaras
Votes: 29
57. Elvis: The Complete Story (1996 Video)
Documentary, Music
Director: Ted Newsom | Star: Elvis Presley
Votes: 45
58. Elvis: The Ed Sullivan Shows (2006 Video)
Not Rated | 179 min | Documentary, Music, Talk-Show
Share the excitement of Elvis Presley's earthshattering introduction to the nation in these three unforgettable episodes from The Ed Sullivan Show, and experience for yourself why Elvis ... See full summary »
Stars: The Jordanaires, Elvis Presley, Ed Sullivan, Robert D. Webb
Votes: 71
59. The Milton Berle Show: The Lost Elvis (2003 Video)
60 min | Comedy, Music, Reality-TV
Features the lost performance from Elvis Presley in The Milton Berle Show.
Stars: Elvis Presley, Milton Berle, Harry James, Buddy Rich
Votes: 25
60. Hot Rod Gang (1958)
Not Rated | 72 min | Drama, Music
Kid who wants to enter his car in the drag races joins a rock band to make enough money to do it.
Director: Lew Landers | Stars: John Ashley, Jody Fair, Gene Vincent, Russ Bender
Votes: 286
61. More American Graffiti (1979)
PG | 110 min | Comedy, Drama, War
Told in four different New Year's Eves in the mid 1960s, John, Terry, Debbie, Steve and Laurie deal with adulthood, the Vietnam war, peace rallies, and relationships.
Director: Bill Norton | Stars: Candy Clark, Bo Hopkins, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat
Votes: 5,076 | Gross: $15.01M
62. Rockabilly Baby (1957)
Passed | 81 min | Music, Romance
The mysterious Mrs. Eleanor Carter moves to Springfield with her two teenagers, Jimmy and Cathy. Eleanor makes friends with the town's social leader, Mrs. Wellington, who supports her idea ... See full summary »
Director: William F. Claxton | Stars: Virginia Field, Douglas Kennedy, Les Brown, Judy Busch
Votes: 44
63. The Girl Can't Help It (1956)
Approved | 98 min | Comedy, Music
A gangster hires a down-and-out press agent to make his airheaded girlfriend a singing star.
Director: Frank Tashlin | Stars: Tom Ewell, Jayne Mansfield, Edmond O'Brien, Julie London
Votes: 3,920
64. American Graffiti (1973)
PG | 110 min | Comedy, Drama
A group of teenagers in California's central valley spend one final night after their 1962 high school graduation cruising the strip with their buddies before they pursue their varying goals.
Director: George Lucas | Stars: Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith
Votes: 98,202 | Gross: $115.00M
65. The Making of 'American Graffiti' (1998 TV Movie)
78 min | Documentary
This is a very informative documentary that features many interviews and other footage of the cast and crew for the film American Graffiti (1973). Any true fan of the film should be ... See full summary »
Director: Laurent Bouzereau | Stars: Francis Ford Coppola, Richard Dreyfuss, Harrison Ford, Ron Howard
Votes: 251
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