Rock Around the Clock (1956)

Orchestra manager Steve Hollis realizes that big-band music is dead. People want something new, but what? On their way to New York, Steve and his companion Corny, stop at a motel in a small... See full summary »

Director:

Fred F. Sears

Writers:

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

Stars:

Bill Haley and the Comets, The Platters, Ernie Freeman Combo

Cast

Credited cast:
Bill Haley and the Comets	...	Bill Haley and his Comets
The Platters	...	The Platters
Ernie Freeman Combo	...	Ernie Freeman Combo
Tony Martinez and His Band	...	Tony Martinez and his Band
Freddie Bell and the Bellboys	...	Freddie Bell and the Bellboys (as Freddie Bell and His Bellboys)
Alan Freed	...	Alan Freed
Johnny Johnston	...	Steve Hollis
Alix Talton	...	Corinne Talbot
Lisa Gaye	...	Lisa Johns
John Archer	...	Mike Dodd
Henry Slate	...	Corny LaSalle
Earl Barton	...	Jimmy Johns
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
George Christopherson	...	Dancer
Lenny Smith	...	Dancer
Freda Angela Wyckoff	...	Dancer

Storyline

Orchestra manager Steve Hollis realizes that big-band music is dead. People want something new, but what? On their way to New York, Steve and his companion Corny, stop at a motel in a small place called Strawberry Springs. It's Saturday evening, and a huge number of young people are going to the Town Hall to listen to a local band called Bill Haley and His Comets, playing a new kind of music called rock'n'roll. It is accompanied by a new way of dancing, led by the siblings Lisa and Jimmy Johns. Steve immediately recognizes that this could be what all America is waiting for. He convinces the band and the dancers to let him organize their nationwide breakthrough, and goes to New York to arrange bookings with the top agent Corinne Talbot. Corinne has for a long time tried to get Steve to marry her, but in vain. She now realizes that Steve is in love with the young dancer Lisa Johns, which makes her change her strategy. Corinne tries to stop the rock'n'roll group everywhere, but despite ...

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Plot Keywords:

small town | manager | band | dancer | agent | 

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Taglines:

It's The MOST!!!

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Genres:

Comedy | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 March 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Al compás del reloj

Box Office

Budget:

$300,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$4,000,000

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

This was the first full-length rock and roll movie.

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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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Quotes

Corinne Talbot: I'm changing my campaign. I'm going to play rough!
Mike Dodd: You think that'll get him?
Corinne Talbot: I don't know.

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Crazy Credits

Instead of "The End," the movie concludes with THE LIVING END

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Connections

Referenced in The Delinquents (1989)

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Soundtracks

Rock Around The Clock
Written by Max Freedman and James E. Myers (uncredited)
Performed by Bill Haley and the Comets (as Bill Haley and His Comets) (uncredited)
Recording through the courtesy of Decca Records: Inc.

User Reviews

A Pleasant Surprise!

Caught this on TV recently for the first time since 1956 when, as a 12 year old, I saw it at least twice that I remember. I was a huge Bill Haley fan there at the dawning of the age of Rock & Roll and thoroughly enjoyed this cheaply made little movie. When I started watching the other night, I wasn't expecting much and figured I'd just leave it on for awhile to hear some of that music. Well, I wound up watching the whole thing. Is it dated? Yep! Is it corny? Oh, you bet! Did I love it? More than ever! Bill Haley was quite believable as himself although seemingly just a bit embarrassed and the music was awesome. I had forgotten just how well the Comets could play their instruments within those three wonderful chords. I would recommend this to anyone who lived through the era. Go back and visit your roots. This movie Rocks!!