I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

good back-story, and good acting

Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

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.

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 ****

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.

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.