The Cool Ones (1967)

A young, millionaire rock promoter decides to create a new boy/girl duo team for his teen TV dance show by teaming up an ambitious go-go dancer and a has-been pop star and presenting them to the public as a new romantic pair.

Director:

Gene Nelson

Writers:

Joyce Geller (screenplay), Gene Nelson (adaptation)

Stars:

Roddy McDowall, Debbie Watson, Gil Peterson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Roddy McDowall	...	Tony Krum
Debbie Watson	...	Hallie Rodgers
Gil Peterson	...	Cliff Donner
Phil Harris	...	Fred MacElwaine
Robert Coote	...	Stanley Krumley
Nita Talbot	...	Dee Dee Howitzer
George Furth	...	Howie
Mrs. Miller	...	Mrs. Miller
The Bantams	...	The Bantams
Glen Campbell	...	Patrick
The Leaves	...	The Leaves
T.J. and The Fourmations	...	T.J. and The Fourmations
Jim Begg	...	Charlie Forbes
James Millhollin	...	Manager
Phil Arnold	...	Uncle Steve

Storyline

Hallie Rogers is a pent-up go-go dancer itching for her big break. She's up for a spot on the network rock'n'roll show "Whizbam," a detailed send-up of both "Shindig" and "Hullaballo," but the studio bosses keep giving her the shaft. So Hallie wigs out, escapes from her go-go cage, and steals the mike from Glen Campbell, who's singing onstage at the time. While Glen does all he can to stop this crazy girl on live TV, Hallie shakes and shimmies her way out of impending handcuffs. The audience goes wild, imitating her moves, and when a misdirected camera sends a message out to the nation, a new dance craze is born - the Tantrum! Tony Krum, a teen tycoon begins to manage her booming career. Hallie gets fired from "Whizbam," but her go-go dancing pals take her to Palm Springs, where they see the Leaves perform. She soon meets out-of-step teen idol Cliff Donner, with whom she forms a duo.

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Plot Keywords:

man wears a swimsuit | teen idol | cable car | scene before opening credits | go go girl | 

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Taglines:

Wait till you see 'em dance the TANTRUM in the groovy movie with the hip hot tunes.

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scene at Roddey McDowell's (character) brothers club one of the dancers elbows Rod in the face as he crosses the dance floor

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Quotes

Stanley Krumley: Hey, it's a great number! How about trying it out on Whiz Bam?
Dee Dee Howitzer: Yeah, it's a grabber.
Tony Krum: Yeah, it's outta sight. It's got soul. Good for the image.

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Connections

References West Side Story (1961)

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Soundtracks

Where Did I Go Wrong?
Music by Billy Strange
Lyrics by Jack Lloyd
Performed by Roddy McDowall with Nita Talbot, Robert Coote & Jim Begg
[Tony sings the song with Dee Dee, Stanley and Charlie in Tony's office at the Sunset Towers when Tony laments about the problems in arranging Cliff and Hallie's act]

User Reviews

Looks Like An AIP Dud

This film had all looks of the classic AIP (American International Pictures) film from the mid 60's. A very cheesy rock film without much plot or good music for that matter. Viewers will recognize a few of the films actors most notably Roddy McDowell just before he did the Planet of the Apes series. I found myself watching this mostly out of curiosity as to what music I might hear.

Not much substance and poor music make this film a disappointment for me. Some of the cinematography of L.A. and the mountains (tramway) is very good, but everything else in this film disappoints.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 April 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

Cool Baby, Cool!

Filming Locations:

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Palm Springs, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

William Conrad Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1