Edward L. Cahn made everything from Our Gang shorts to It!
A more accurate title might be Sterling Holloway Showcase. In fact, it's his silly mug and goofy shenanigans that get the most screentime.
The early omens on this one weren't good; American International generally made lousy movies aimed mostly at the drive-in audience (and this was only their third year in operation), the director was Edward L. Cahn and the writer was Lou Rusoff, who was usually associated with American International's rather silly horror movies.
Although not a blockbuster,shake rattle and rock is an interesting and fun 1950's movie about the older generation trying to stop rock and roll dancing teens.a short movie and made by the great American international pictures,which is why i wanted to check it out.
It seems like there have been lots of movies portraying stuffy adults not caring for rock 'n' roll, or even considering it evil. In that respect "Shake, Rattle & Rock!
Before he was "Mannix" Mike Conners was billed as 'Touch' Conners and did this little 50s exploitation flick, that he would probably love to forget. It's the old saw about the older generation trying to put a halt to R&R, and the kids proving that it is just good, clean fun, as the jitterbug, black-bottom, etc.
Well, I bought the DVD so I have to say that I like it. Solely because it's got Big Joe Turner in it along with Fats Domino.
The premise of this film seems to have been inspired by the trials of real-life DJ Alan Freed and his attempts to bring Rock 'n' Roll to the mainstream despite protests by many of the older generation. Mike "Touch" Connors plays the role based on him and the opposition consists of Douglass Dumbrille and Margaret Dumont-both veterans of Marx Brothers movies.
