Don't Knock the Rock (1956) User Reviews

Don't Knock the Rock (1956) ***

[JoeKarlosi · 7/10 · 29 January 2007]

New York singer Arnie Haines (Alan Dale) is tired of his career as a famous recording star so he takes a break by visiting his old tiny home town. When he arrives he discovers that he's now despised by all the crotchety adults who feel that rock music is ruining their kids' lives. Haines decides to stage a big rock and roll show in the next town to prove to the parents that rock can be a good influence for their children. Arnie Haines himself is more of a crooner and not a joy to listen to, but we do get to hear several numbers by Bill Haley and His Comets, as well as the great Little Richard, who belts out his awesome killer renditions of "Long Tall Sally" and "Tutti Frutti". The movie is a good relic for rock 'n roll history, and also manages to take a shot at modern-day (1950s) parents to make them realize how their old music of the 20s and 30s was just as "wild" as their kids'. While the movie makes a valid point there in showing those generational similarities, the truth is that 1950s rock music was always pretty innocent enough, but the same case for a meeting of the generations couldn't be made for 2007 parents weaned on '50s music as compared to today's Gangsta cRap. *** out of ****

A scriptwriter - my country for a scriptwriter

[rdbqpaul · 7/10 · 8 May 2021]

There is little wonder that the acting is stiff with dialogue this lame. I grew up in the 50s. Even then we would groan at this writing. We came to see Bill Haley (Rudy's sax was worth the admission) & Little Richard. Alan Dale had a nice voice, but I can't recall anyone of my teen friends buying one of his discs. If only Columbia recognized the fact that we came for the music and not the plot - particularly one as predictable as this. A man in his 30s hustled by an oversexed teenager? How did that get by the censors? All the men walking around in suits all day seemed dumb then, and very much like an old TV sitcom today. The fast-forward control is a gift from God and surely appreciated for movies such as this. A+ for dancers.

They were just jealous that they couldn't keep up.

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 2 June 2022]

A ridiculously corny script makes this rock and roll musical a laughable look back at a bit of nostalgia in a changing world, and not one that changed the world. However, the musical sequences do stand the test of time with performances by Bill Haley and the Comets, Little Richard, the Treniers the Applejacks and others. That's what makes this film worth rediscovering or in my case watching again, although my eyes did roll a bit more than once with lines like "rock and roll is for morons", a sequence I remembered from a movie history documentary aired on television when I was a kid.

So what you get in great music you lack in a strong story, basically the generation gap of aging long hairs, snooty columnist Faye Baker and politicians worried about losing their greatest generation vote. Baker's daughter (Patricia Hardy) falls in love with singer Alan Dale who has gone from crooning to rocking out in hopes of staying relevant, and Baker plans to expose rock and roll for turning the younger generation into degenerates. But there's absolutely no proof that rock and roll has that effect, something you couldn't convince these old fogies of.

It's clear that Baker isn't opposed to rock and roll herself but is afraid of losing her readers if she doesn't stand up to what they're against. This was the second film for famous rock and roll promoter Alan Freed who had earlier appeared in "Rock Around the Clock" and go on to have his story told in 1978's "American Hot Wax". The acting in the film isn't very good, with the line delivery of the silly dialogue less than believable. But in spite of its flaws, this is a great time capsule into the past, and that keeps it something that will remain worth viewing as long as old movies are still rerun.

A few knocks for this film

[digitalcool · 7 May 2007]

This is yet another of a group of early R&R films with the same moral...."Parents, don't judge the music of your kids harshly...after all, you were a bunch of flappers back in your day, screaming '23 Skiddoo' while jitterbugging like crazy..." This film would have been better, MUCH better, if they actually had a Rock N Roll guy as the lead. But they had a Bing Crosby type, moaning out some pretty awful tunes. I'm sure there were some very restless teenagers in the theater when this film was released. They probably couldn't wait 'till the REAL rockers came on screen. Once that happened, the film came into it's own. As has been pointed out in earlier posts, these performances are the centerpiece of the film.

In addition to the musical numbers by Haley & the Comets, the Treniers and Little Richard, the dancing was pretty amazing in this movie. Young people of the past could really move, unlike today (also check out YouTube clips of Ronnie Spector dancing at the Pepppermint Lounge during The Beatles '64 tour; clips from the early 70's Soul Train line; and clips from the 80's film "Breakin'" to see what young folks could do during the past decades).

Another bright spot was the performance of Jana Lund as the bratty, teenage nymphet. She did an amazingly sultry dance when first spotted, and you just knew this kitten would be trouble. On top of that, Ms. Lund was wearing the most blatant example of a 50's "Balistic Missle Bra" since Janet Leigh in "Jet Pilot".

All in all, not a bad film, but not as good or as much fun as "Rock Around The Clock".

I watched Don't Knock the Rock in memory of Little Richard

[tavm · 6/10 · 11 May 2020]

As with Rock Around the Clock, this film was produced by Sam Katzman, directed by Fred F. Sears, and has an appearance by the music group of Bill Haley and the Comets as well as disc jokey Alan Freed. The main reason I decided to watch this now is because of the passing of Little Richard of which he performs two of his most famous songs-"Tutti Frutti" and "Long Tall Sally" in his unique performing style here. He and Bill Haley were perhaps the most enjoyable parts of this movie which consists of another familiar plot of an elder generation complaining about the kids and their "rock 'n' roll"! If one is willing to get through that again-as I was-then you should like Don't Knock the Rock just fine. Oh, and it does have a dance sequence near the end of the '20s styles which had one particular couple doing deadpan stares that made me laugh a little!

Rock 'n' roller must prove himself.

[michaelRokeefe · 4/10 · 11 November 2000]

A rock 'n' roll singer played by Alan Dale takes time out from his busy schedule to vacation back in his home town. The town's teens are there to meet the train; but the Mayor of Melonville warns the singer that his kind is not thought of too highly. DJ Alan Freed schedules a big charity dance to convince a newspaper columnist there is no harm in the new form of music.

Also in the cast are Jana Lund, Patricia Hardy and Gail Ganley. Spotlight musical acts are: Bill Haley & the Comets, Little Richard, the Treniers and Dave Appell & the Apple Jacks.

Low budget "B" flick produced by 'king of the quickies', Sam Katzman. Interesting to watch Haley & the Comets and Little Richard perform.

ENJOYABLE MOVIE FEATURING EARLY ROCK 'N' ROLL STARS

[frasuer · 8/10 · 23 July 1999]

This film is very much of it's time. Sam Katzman produced a number of films featuring record stars and this is one of the best. The star is Alan Dale, who was one of the leading pop singers of the day. Dale was in the forefront of the post-Sinatra generation of crooners, and his versatility ranged from opera to rock 'n' roll. This diversity made him a perfect choice for the role of a rock singer with a "serious" side. Dale's romantic interest is played by Patricia Hardy, who soon afterward married actor Richard Egan and retired.

The main reason for these films was, of course, the records acts --- most of whom were seldom if ever seen on network television (Bill Haley and the Comets being an exception). In fact, outside of major urban areas, someone like Little Richard was not even played on most RADIO stations (who chose instead to play Pat Boone's versions of "Long Tall Sally" and "Tutti Fruitti"!). But, thanks to films like this, people in Pocatello and Salt Lake City were able to experience these seminal rock 'n' roll performers. It's a fun film.

Good Rock and Roll movie

[unclerussie · 10/10 · 19 February 2003]

I always liked this film. Not a bad plot, the acting is better than average and there is, of course, some great music. Bill Haley and Little Richard provide some real excitement, plus here's a chance to see the great Treniers and talented pop singer Alan Dale in rare screen appearances. The legendary Alan Freed plays a sometimes over zealous manager and is terrific in the role. Rock and Roll fans should not pass this one by!

ENJOYABLE SHOWCASE FOR TOP RECORD STARS

[frasuer · 8/10 · 13 July 1999]

This film is very much of it's time. Sam Katzman produced a number of films featuring record stars and this is one of the better ones. The star is Alan Dale, who was one of the leading pop singers of the day. Dale was in the forefront of the post-Sinatra generation of crooners (which included Vic Damone, Tony Bennett, etc.), and his versatility ranged from opera to Rock 'n' Roll. This diversity made him a perfect choice for the role of a rock singer with a "serious" side. Dale's romantic interest is played by Pat Hardy, who soon afterward married actor Richard Egan. The main reason for these films was, of course, the records acts --- most of whom were seldom if ever seen on network television. Bill Haley and the Comets were well known, but outside of the major urban areas Little Richard was not even played on most RADIO stations (they opted for Pat Boone's version of "Long Tall Sally"!). However, thanks to films like this we could finally experience performers like Little Richard. Two numbers by The Treniers are another high point. Typical of these films, there's not much of a plot, but its a lot of fun.

Bill Haley's second film, with Little Richard, The Treniers, and Alan Freed. Worth finding for 50s' rock and roll fans

[django-1 · 8/10 · 2 January 2005]

The second film featuring Bill Haley and the Comets, DON'T KNOCK THE ROCK, features a lot of great music from Haley's Comets, Little Richard, and the Treniers, and this is probably the biggest dramatic role that Alan Freed had in any of his 1950's rock and roll epics, a role that he handles quite well. Bill Haley also seems more relaxed here in his dialogue scenes than he was in ROCK AROUND THE CLOCk, although Bill and band are really not the stars of the film. The character of Arnie Haines, played by Alan Dale, is the protagonist of the film, and Haines' story is the one told here. Dale sings three songs--a ballad that could have come from the big band era, a Johnnie Ray-style emotion-filled number, and a semi rock and roll number in the Bobby Darin vein. Dale is a fine actor and he has the dramatic ability and charisma to carry a film on his own. I was unfamiliar with him and wondered why he got the role in the film, since he was not playing himself. It seems Mr. Dale made his mark as a singer late in the big band era, and had his own television show in 1948. He had a number of hit records in the late 40s and early 50s produced by Bob Thiele (later of Flying Dutchman records fame, for those of us under 50). He was evidently a very talented man, as well as a courageous (standing up to the mob) and intelligent (published author) one. However, he is really not a rock and roll performer. If you can get past that, the rest of the movie is a lot of fun, the performances are exciting, and the show even gives away some of the phony tricks and staged events of the music promotion world. Haley never starred in a third film (although he and the band were in others, both here and abroad), and despite a half dozen hot songs in this one, he and band are basically guest stars in their own film. Little Richard does two of his best-known numbers in classic style (playing the piano while standing with his back to it, playing the piano while one leg is over the top of the piano, etc.), and the Treniers do two numbers that give some hint about why they were so legendary for their live act (although I'm sure this is a VERY watered down version of what they did live). I like Dave Appell's music, in the Philadelphia jive-rock style, but the number he does here is not that impressive. Overall, this is a nice window into 1950's rock and roll and a good opportunity to see some of the best artists of the period performing (or should I say miming). Worth finding for the 50's fan.

A very entertaining 50's rock'n'roll romp

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 28 April 2009]

Humble, yet charismatic rock singer Arnie Haines (an engaging performance by the smooth-voiced Alan Dale) and his band return to his small country hometown only to discover that crusty killjoy mayor George Bagley (an amusingly cranky Pierre Watkin) has banned rock'n'roll music because it's sinful. So Arnie gets a bunch of fellow rock bands together to stage a concert in order to prove that rock'n'roll is okay and acceptable. Granted, the plot is pretty corny (and was later rip offed almost thirty years later in "Footloose"!), but director Fred E. Sears effectively maintains a brisk pace and upbeat tone throughout. Better still, the rock acts featured herein are uniformly excellent and enjoyable: Bill Haley and His Comets totally smoke on the jaunty instrumental "Goofing Around," the Treniers have a ball with the infectiously cheery "One of These Days," and legendary rock'n'roll wildman Little Richard almost steals the whole show with rousing and spirited renditions of his classic big hits "Tutti Fruitti" and "Long Tall Sally." The lively dancing is likewise quite stirring and impressive, with a thrilling and dynamic stage production of the Charleston rating as the definite highlight. Moreover, both the rock acts and the kids alike are extremely nice, clean-cut, wholesome and even inoffensive, thereby giving this picture a certain quaint charm that's impossible to either resist or dislike. Popular rock disc jockey Alan Freed acquits himself well as Arnie's crafty opportunistic manager. Patricia Hardy contributes a winningly spunky turn as smart and sweet teenager Francine MacLaine. An immensely fun flick.

Amazing Lindy Hop

[caab241 · 30 March 2005]

I recently purchased this movie for the Lindy Hop scenes and I wasn't disappointed, the dancing is incredible. If only the movie opened with dancing instead of Arnie Haines and screaming teenagers! Once you get into the film there's dancing on pianos and couches in Arnie's apartment/hotel room?, a killer jam circle with Bill Hailey and the Comets backing, and a crazy Charleston scene that rivals anything I've seen on film. The plot was OK and the acting so-so, but the music and dancing makes up for the film's shortcomings. I was impressed with Bill Hailey and the Comets, especially during their instrumental jam session, which displays their musical talent and personality more so than their most well-known commercial hits.