Twist Around the Clock (1961)

The plot is virtually identical to the plot of the earlier film "Rock Around the Clock." A struggling manager visits a hayseed town and discovers a new dance craze, and hopes to turn it ... See full summary »

Director:

Oscar Rudolph

Writer:

Robert E. Kent

Stars:

Chubby Checker, Dion DiMucci, Vicki Spencer

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Chubby Checker	...	Himself
Dion DiMucci	...	Himself (as Dion)
Vicki Spencer	...	Herself
Allen Johnson	...	Himself (as The Marcels)
Clay Cole	...	Himself
John Cronin	...	Mitch Mason
Mary Mitchel	...	Tina Louden (as Mary Mitchell)
Maura McGiveney	...	Debbie Marshall
Tol Avery	...	Joe Marshall
Alvy Moore	...	Dizzy Bellew
Lenny Kent	...	Georgie Clark
Tom Middleton	...	Jimmy Cook
Jeff Malloy	...	Larry Louden (as Jeff Parker)
John Bryant	...	Harry Davis
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Gene Bricker	...	Himself (member, The Marcels) (as The Marcels)

Storyline

The plot is virtually identical to the plot of the earlier film "Rock Around the Clock." A struggling manager visits a hayseed town and discovers a new dance craze, and hopes to turn it into a overnight nationwide sensation. Features performances by Chubby Checker and Dion.

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Taglines:

It's twist-errific! - the first full-length movie about the twist!

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Genres:

Musical

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 December 1961 (USA)

Also Known As:

Außer Rand und Band mit Twist

Box Office

Budget:

$250,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Four-Leaf Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Final film appearance of 'Snub' Pollard, silent film comedian.

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Connections

Featured in Twist (1992)

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Soundtracks

" (I'm Over) Here, There, Everywhere"
Written by Teddy Vann
Sung by Clay Cole

User Reviews

twist-delicious!

I really enjoyed TWIST AROUND THE CLOCK as a genuinely snazzy low budget 1961 dance pic with a roster of (still) very well known songs. Other comments will tell you how identical it is to ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK (it certainly is) but for me that did not diminish any of the delight. I am quite fascinated by Vicki Spencer who I see only made one other film TEENAGE MILLIONAIRE. What happened to her? In TWIST she is almost everything Ann-Margret is a year later in BYE BYE BIRDIE... even in her gorgeous looks. Dion I had never seen but knew the songs well (The Wanderer, Runaround Sue) ... he is certainly the iconic 60s nightclub star in the Bobby Darin style. I found the script hilarious. It is actually funny with some great sly comments... especially between the father and daughter nemeses... Chubby Checker is his dynamite fun self... I also thought he was very handsome in this film, given I guess he was in his mid 20s, something I had never observed... perhaps that is because I am used to seeing later years material when he looks good, but here, younger he is certainly compelling. TWIST is enormous musical fun and for kids to enjoy because they could actually dance along with it. My DVD is a Canadian reprint with new titles over the original Katzman/Columbia 35mm release... the body of the film is the same as the original film. I had such a good time watching this film... I really laughed with it and thought the songs terrific... and then there is the dance team fun.... and The incredible Marcels to top it off.