Rock Around the Clock (1956)

Rock Around the Clock (1956). 1h 17m | Not Rated

“Though it wasnu0026#39;t the first film to mention u0026quot;rock and roll,u0026quot; this is known as the u0026quot;first real rock filmu0026quot; and itu0026#39;s a mixed bag. Basically itu0026#39;s a vehicle for rock and roll pioneer Bill Haley and his band, The Comets. In the very thin story, two square music managers realize that their old type of traditional dance music is dying out in favor of the latest u0026quot;rock u0026#39;nu0026#39; rollu0026quot; fad. When they see Haley and the Comets perform their classic u0026quot;See You Later Alligatoru0026quot; at a small town dance and witness all the kids dancing up a storm, they decide to try and get this group to play full-time and make it big. The filmu0026#39;s not very interesting when it veers away from the music, but along the way we get several more Bill Haley songs (the famous title hit itself, plus u0026quot;Razzle Dazzle,u0026quot; u0026quot;Rock Rock Rocku0026quot; and others), and weu0026#39;re also treated to The Bellboys. But the main attraction is easily The Platters, who expertly perform two of their big hits – u0026quot;Only Youu0026quot; and u0026quot;The Great Pretenderu0026quot;. The latter is so fabulous it sends chills up the spine. **1/2 out of ****”