Rock Around the Clock (1956)

A frustrated big-band promoter runs in to rock-and-rollers Bill Haley and the Comets at a small-town dance. He quickly becomes their manager and, with the help of Alan Freed, hopes to bring... See full summary »

Director:

Fred F. Sears

Writers:

James B. Gordon (story), Robert E. Kent (story)

Stars:

Bill Haley, Rudy Pompilli, Al Rex

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bill Haley	...	Himself
Rudy Pompilli	...	Himself (Comets saxophonist)
Al Rex	...	Himself (Comets bassist)
Franny Beecher	...	Himself (Comets guitarist)
Johnny Grande	...	Himself (Comets pianist)
Ralph Jones	...	Himself (Comets drummer)
Billy Williamson	...	Himself (Comets steel guitar player)
Tony Williams	...	Himself (with The Platters)
Zola Taylor	...	Herself (with The Platters)
Herb Reed	...	Himself (with The Platters)
David Lynch	...	Himself (with The Platters)
Paul Robi	...	Himself (with The Platters)
Tony Martinez	...	Himself
Freddie Bell	...	Himself
Alan Freed	...	Himself

Storyline

A frustrated big-band promoter runs in to rock-and-rollers Bill Haley and the Comets at a small-town dance. He quickly becomes their manager and, with the help of Alan Freed, hopes to bring the new sound to the entire country. But will a conniving booking agent, with a personal ax to grind with the manager, conspire to keep the band from making the big time?

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Plot Keywords:

dance | disc jockey | cult film | rock band | rockabilly | 

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Taglines:

It's the whole story of rock and roll!

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Genres:

Music

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 March 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Al compás del reloj

Box Office

Budget:

$300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Clover Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

77 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Queen Elizabeth II requested a print of this film be shown at Buckingham Palace - one of this first times this was done with a major motion picture.

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Goofs

The poster for the Rock and Roll Jamboree later in the movie lists Lisa and Jimmy James as an act. Their names should be Lisa and Jimmy Johns.

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Crazy Credits

Instead of "The End," the movie concludes with "The LIVING End".

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Connections

Followed by Don't Knock the Rock (1956)

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Soundtracks

"See You Later, Alligator"
Written by Robert Charles Guidry

User Reviews

the original rock'n'roll feature film--great showcase for Bill Haley and His Comets

Journeyman director Fred Sears (also an actor in many films--I remember him from Charles Starrett westerns) was a good choice to direct this low-budget Sam Katzman-produced quickie, meant to cash in on the rock'n'roll fad and the celebrity of Bill Haley and His Comets. Sears gets right down to business and features the music throughout--with wonderful (mostly) mimed performances by Bill Haley of his classic early Decca recordings, which still rock out today. Also seen are the pioneering lounge-rocknroll band Freddie Bell and His Bellboys, who were fine entertainers in the Louis Prima vein and who provided Elvis with Hound Dog. A plot is woven into the film here and there to keep things moving, but the emphasis is on the music. Haley's friendly persona comes across well in his limited dialogue scenes, and the other characters in his band, such as sax player Rudy Pompilli, are quite animated, capturing a bit of what his live shows must have been like (probably much wilder than this film). Alan Freed also appears and is worked into the plot, and the Platters sing their two biggest hits. All together, it's an excellent time capsule into the early days of rock'n'roll, and it's a wonderful showcase for the great Bill Haley, who still has not received his due as a music pioneer. It's easy to see why the film caused riots when shown overseas. Don't miss it if you like Haley, Freed, and the glory days of rocknroll.