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, Bill Haley, The Platters

Cast

Cast overview:
Bill Haley and the Comets	...	Bill Haley and His Comets
Bill Haley	...	Bill Haley
The Platters	...	The Platters
Ernie Freeman Combo	...	Ernie Freeman Combo
Tony Martinez and His Band	...	Tony Martinez and his Band
Tony Martinez	...	Tony Martinez
Freddie Bell	...	Freddie Bell
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

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:

teensploitation | psychotronic film | female sexual predator | female female relationship | female jealousy | 

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Taglines:

It's The MOST!!!

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Genres:

Comedy | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

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

When Lisa Johns is being interviewed by Corinne Talbot at a street side diner, you see the same woman in a fur coat walk by the window (twice) while the same car and transit bus (twice) go by the window after the traffic signal changes.

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Quotes

Bill Haley and his Comets: [singing] See you later alligator, after 'while crocodile, See you later alligator, after 'while crocodile, Can't you see you're in my way now, Don't you know you cramp my style...

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Crazy Credits

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

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Connections

Referenced in EastEnders: Episode #1.709 (1991)

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Soundtracks

Rock
Written by Bill Haley, Arrett 'Rusty' Keefer and Ruth Keefer (uncredited)
Recording through the courtesy of Decca Records: Inc.

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.

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