Go, Johnny, Go! (1959) User Reviews

This is the quintessential 50's rock and roll movie...

[pmh861 · 7/10 · 5 January 2005]

This is the quintessential 50's rock and roll movie. With about 20 songs from performers such as Jimmy Clanton (the lead), Chuck Berry, Eddy Cochran, Jackie Wilson, Ritchie Valens and The Cadillacs and more, if you like 50's rock, then you will like the music in this one. This is definitely not a movie for plot or acting, but instead just plain musical fun.

Some of the best performances are Jump Children by the Flamingos and Please Mr. Johnson by the Cadillacs. Also, the rare clip of the legendary Ritchie Valens makes this movie well worthwhile. It's too bad he didn't perform one of his hits like Donna, La Bamba or Come On Let's Go, but instead wailed with Ooh, My Head! A lot of this movie is very campy and adds to its charm. Because of this and especially because of the music I'd rate this a 7+ on a scale of 10. Jimmy Clanton was a good choice for the lead. His voice and mannerisms bring back memories of a much more innocent era.

Required viewing for fans of early rock and roll

[zippgun · 7/10 · 27 March 2006]

In what was to be his last movie, legendary 50s DJ Alan Freed(1921-1965), playing..er..legendary 50s DJ Alan Freed, once again presents a host of early rock and roll stars,hung together with a threadbare perfunctory plot(just as in "Rock Rock Rock","Rock around the clock" and "Don't knock the rock"). Shot at the Hal Roach studio in Culver City, Los Angeles (where Laurel and Hardy once romped)in January 1959,"Go Johnny go" is one of the most interesting and enjoyable of the early rock films. Chuck Berry features, not just as a performer but an actor as well, he's seen hanging out with Freed,accompanying him, it appears, wherever he goes! As was usual in Freed's cheap and cheerful films, the rock and roll stars on display are some of the best.The movie has the only big screen performance of Richie Valens,who died very shortly after he filmed this appearance,in the notorious 1959 plane crash,which also claimed Buddy Holly and the Big Bopper. Another tragic rocker here is Eddie Cochran, a car accident victim about a year and a half after he made the film. The story, such as it is, concerns Freed's desire to make a star out of a talented nobody-this means we get a lot of crooning from lanky teen idol Jimmy Clanton, playing the aforesaid nobody(the "Johnny" of the title). I can never make up my mind about Clanton; he was competent actor,though he is certainly surrounded by his betters as performers in the line up here.

Look out for scene with Alan Freed jamming on drums along with Chuck Berry and his group on the marvelous "Little Queenie", Freed looks like he's having a ball. Sadly the good times were not to roll much longer for Freed as personal and career problems mounted. He became embroiled in the payola scandal, and was pursued relentlessly by the tax man.Dropped from his TV and radio shows, moving to the west coast to get work, his drinking was turning him into a serious and sick alcoholic, he died broke,killed by Uraemia in 1965.

Performers(alphabetical)- Chuck Berry-"Go Johnny go","Little Queenie" "Memphis Tennessee" The Cadillacs-"Jaywalker","Please Mr Johnson"(They may have been the poor man's Coasters,but they're great here,acting out their song stories on the stage in a club). Jo-Ann Campbell-"Momma can I go out?" Jimmy Clanton-"Angel face","It takes a long time","My love is true","Ship on a stormy sea" Eddie Cochran-"Teenage Heaven"(watch Eddie dance with his guitar!) The Flamingos-"Jump children"(a performance of breathtaking exuberance) Harvey Fuqua-"Don't be afraid to love me" Sandy Stewart-"Heavenly father","Playmate"(the last one a perky piece performed in a recording studio) Sandy Stewart/Jimmy Clanton-"Once again" Richie Valens-"Ooh my head""(performed for Freed and his pals and a tiny group of teens) Jackie Wilson-"You'd better know it"(Wilson,a reliable showstopper as always-and one of the coolest rockers ever.If you've seen stills or clips of Jackie performing in front of a silly coffee pot with a face backdrop,this is where it's from!)

Music saves a juvenile delinquent

[redboots-1 · 5/10 · 31 May 2005]

I saw this when I was 15 and we did not get to see our music stars then so movies like this were one of the options. I found it and bought it on VHS some years ago and felt lucky to find it. Jimmy Clanton was one of my musical heroes and he sang "Ship on a Stormy Sea" in this plus several other songs. It is one of the few viewings of the great Eddie Cochran although he does not have his electric guitar plugged in, it is still worth seeing him. Others in the film are great, musically. Yes, the plot lacks but most of this genre of movie lacked a plot. They were a quick and cheap way to rush the visual aspect of our stars to us, the young audience and they entertained us. Remember that they were made for our 13-19 year old minds and we were not technically aware. But, it did not differ from Dick Clark having the same people on his shows when they did not sing but mouthed the words. It has flaws but it is well worth having for anyone who wants to see and remember Jimmy Clanton, Jackie Wilson, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran, and Richie Valens.

Good Rock and Roll flick

[unclerussie · 27 March 2003]

Here's another Alan Freed rock and roll movie that gives us a look and listen to some of rock's greatest stars. Musically. the film is better than average for a rock and roll film, even with Jimmy Clanton's usual nasal and bland "vocalizing". The Cadillacs do two songs; "Jay Walker" (dressed as Policemen) and the wonderful "Please Mr. Johnson". Jackie Wilson is terrific as usual (he was a very close friend of Alan Freed) and proves once again what a tremendous talent he was. The movie has some historical musical moments as well. This film has the only motion picture performance by the late, great Ritchie Valens (he does the Little Richard inspired "Ohh My Head"). Also featured is Eddie Cochran doing "Teenage Heaven". Unfortunately, performances by Eddie are rare because of his death in a traffic accident in England the following year. Check out Harvey (of The Moonglows) doing a rare solo number and a good performance by Jo Ann Campbell. Co-star Sandy Stewart performs two songs including a nice up tempo called "Playmate". "Jo Gohnny Go"'s plot is a little above average and the acting is fine in most cases. Chuck Berry is especially believable as is veteran character actor Herb Vigran. I just wish someone other than Jimmy Clanton were cast in a co starring role. Sure, he's the right age, but his acting is a bit wooden and his songs and voice makes you want to reach for the fast forward button on your remote control. Still, I would recommend this movie. Don't miss this one for a good time, great music and a little rock and roll history.

Go Alan Go

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 18 May 2012]

For the folks my age who are into the nostalgic era of the first days of rock and roll Go Johnny Go. All the acts involved in this film got to do their stuff with hardly a plot to get in the way.

What plot there is involves Alan Freed doing a very good job of playing himself, disc jockey king of rock and roll. Freed puts himself out on a limb saying he will find a singer he will rename and manage. The name Freed picks out for his ersatz Elvis is Johnny Melody. This plot so reminded me of that classic Brady Bunch episode where Greg Brady is picked to be the new Johnny Bravo. Here though it's not just because Jimmy Clanton is the right fit for his stage costume.

Enter young Mr. Clanton who gets fired in his job as a theater usher for getting into the rock and roll jamboree show a little too much. It was on that night that he hears Alan Freed's boast to find a new singing star to be renamed Johnny Melody. In fact Freed is having some trouble making this idea from press agent Herb Vigran turn into reality.

Chuck Berry besides Clanton and Sandy Stewart is the only performer to have more than just a song in the film. He plays Freed's alter ego and very smoothly I might add. His is the best acted role in the film.

And of course Go Johnny Go has the appearance of a pair of soon to be legends. Ritchie Valens never saw his spot in this film, dying in that famous plane crash four months before this film was released. Eddie Cochran died a year after that in a car crash.

The music is fine although personally my taste goes back a decade or two in popular music. There's one person I know that loves this sort of stuff, he lives for the nostalgia concerts featuring the performances of the artists of this era. So to my former work colleague Myron Eskenazi this film and its review is dedicated to you.

What rock was like before music videos

[krorie · 6/10 · 20 February 2006]

This is one of several Hollywood movies made in the 1950's attempting to be cool by featuring the new "fad"(to them) called rock 'n' roll. The only time Hollywood ever featured real rock 'n' roll from the early days of the new teen music was when rock artists with hit records were allowed to perform on the big screen. The Hollywood concocted rock 'n' roll was unbearable then and even more so today. The best of the rock 'n' roll films by far was "The Girl Can't Help It," which was clever and humorous, plus featuring many of the big rock artists of the day including an outstanding scene showing Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps. Of all the others this one "Go, Johnny, Go" succeeds the best and as has been noted by others is the only place you can see the multi-talented seventeen year old superstar Richie Valens strutting his stuff on the big screen just before his tragic death.

Since there was no such animal as a music video, most teens heard their favorite rock stars on vinyl or on the radio. From time to time rock phenomena would appear on television on such shows as Ed Sullivan and Steve Allen. Dick Clark's "American Bandstand" seldom let the rock performers do their own thing. Most of the time the artists were asked to lip-synch their recordings. A major exception to this rule was Jerry Lee Lewis who insisted that he be allowed to do his hits live with his band. Therefore, it was truly a treat to get to see rockers on the big screen.

This movie has one of the best lists of great rock performers of the decade. There were many so-called asphalt Elvises around by 1959, especially the notorious Fabian, but lumping Jimmy Clanton with them is a mistake. Like Ricky Nelson, Clanton had a feel for the music he made. His looks left much to be desired but his songs were not half bad, particularly his one big hit "Just a Dream," one of my favorite teen ballads from the period.

Fans of early rock 'n' roll will get a kick out of watching the antics of such wonderful do wop groups as the Flamingos and the The Cadillacs. What an entertaining stage show these groups must have delivered. The only other do wop group to surpass these two were the outrageous Coasters. The legendary Jackie Wilson, who even impressed the King himself, Elvis, when he saw him in Las Vagas, shows why he was one of the seminal entertainers of the decade. Chuck Berry not only performs some of his best songs--possibly Johnny B. Goode is his best--but does a decent job acting as well. Too bad he was set up by the government and had to spend time in prison not long after this movie was produced. Then the viewer gets to see the talented Eddie Cochran, one of the best songwriters/musicians of the era. Harvey Fuqua helped make the Moonglows a hit but the rest of the do wop group added that little extra oomp needed to have it all jell. Still Harvey is fine as a solo act.

Allen Freed, who not long after this picture was produced was crucified by the press and made the fall guy for the payola scandal, adds a touch of authenticity to the movie, though he leaves a little to be desired in the acting department. Many in the US government--somewhat of a holdover from the McCarthy period-viewed rock 'n' roll as subversive, never mind that the Communists felt the same way but for a different ideological reason. By promoting the asphalt Elvises such as Fabian, Frankie Avalon, and Paul Anka the politicians hoped to stifle the real rock stars. The government put Chuck Berry in jail, drafted Elvis, wrecked Allen Freed's career prodding him to succumb to alcoholism, and encouraged Little Richard to pursue a calling to be a preacher. Indirectly the government aided the free press in publicizing Jerry Lee Lewis' third marriage to his thirteen year old cousin. All this and more...but the beat goes on.

The story told in "Go, Johnny, Go" is a juvenile one about Freed, a rock promoter, making Jimmy Clanton a star through a talent search. This time it's innocuous enough and doesn't get in the way of some of the best music this side of heaven. Rock on, cool cats, rock on!

Johnny may be good, but the plot is ridiculous!

[mark.waltz · 3/10 · 16 May 2020]

Singing teen idle Jimmy Clanton certainly had charm and talon, but the script he gets for this Hal Roach Jr. produced teen rock musical is a wreck. The basic plot is absurd beyond belief with Clanton playing an orphan who goes by the name of Johnny Melody recording a song and trying to get a contract with DJ Alan Freed. Johnny reconnects with orphanage girlfriend Sandy Stewart who works in the music business and goes out of her way to help him. When Freed finally gets around to listening to the record, he creates a search party for Johnny, but Johnny is out there trying to pawn his guitar so he can buy a gift for Stewart and doesn't hear Freed's urging Johnny to call him over the radio.

This has some great musical moments particularly with the soul film appearance of Ritchie Valens as well as Chuck Berry and other groups and performers of the time. The musical moments are inspired and nostalgic, but the plot is so absurd that it's easy to just wish that it had been cut out and the film just simply be a concert of these talented performers. This was the last of the Alan Freed produce musicals which featured hip leg himself, and it was a low-key way to exit a series that is easily forgotten outside of the musical numbers.

Early Rock And Roll Feature

[kirbylee70-599-526179 · 7/10 · 8 April 2017]

With the passing of Chuck Berry this past week it was an amazing coincidence that Kit Parker Films had recently released a feature starring Berry in a supporting role, GO JOHNNY GO. The film is also one of the first offerings under the new banner the company is using, The Sprocket Vault.

I was familiar with the name Kit Parker from my college days, a time when his company was just starting out. At that time his company handled a number of 16mm films for rental, most of them classics from the golden days of Hollywood. By classics I'm not talking huge budgeted studio features, the studios had the rights to those. But Parker made a name for himself and his company by offering great old films at decent rental prices. When video and then DVD rolled around he transferred those films and continues to market them.

GO JOHNNY GO tells the story of young Johnny Melody (Jimmy Clanton) (with a name like that he's destined for showbiz), an orphan who's out on his own now and looking to make his mark as a professional singer. He knows he has talent, now all he needs is a break. Fortune smiles on him when he runs into Julie Arnold (Sandy Stewart), a young girl he knew in the orphanage who was adopted. They share dreams, both wanting to become singers and plan to meet up again sometime.

Both of them get the chance when radio personality Allan Freed and his PR man decide to have a contest giving some young singer the chance to become the next big star with a spot on his rock and roll road show. This is where Berry steps in as a musician who works for Freed as well as being a star himself. Julie is recording her record to submit when she runs into Johnny again, spending his last money of his recording.

The submissions roll in and Freed hears Johnny's song. The PR man and Berry insists that the kid has potential. But he doesn't have a phone. His plan to call run astray when Freed and his group step out to visit a club. Fortunately Julie and Johnny are at the same club! And yet they miss their chance to talk to Freed! Good heaven's what will happen next? Watch and see to find out.

Throughout the film there are performances by some of the top solo artists and groups of the day. That is one of the things that makes this movie so special and one to add to the collection of every classic rock and roll fan. Those performers include Richie Valens, Jackie Wilson, The Flamingos, Eddie Cochran, Harvey Fuqua, Jo-Ann Campbell and the Cadillacs. All are tremendous fun to watch, listen to and enjoy. Even Berry gets the chance to perform his classic "Memphis" and do his signature duck walk.

In the fifties and sixties movies like this were being made to meet the demand of fans who wanted to see their favorite music stars. It wasn't like today when everyone can click on YouTube on their cell phone and watch a performer. These moves were made on the cheap but they still offered a combination of story, musical performances and entertainment as well as a huge heap of charm that drew fans in. Now you can enjoy it as well with this release.

In addition to getting the best quality print that can be found of this film it also offers a commentary track featuring Richard M. Roberts, Randy Skeetvedt and Brent Walker. There is also a copy of the original trailer as well. If you grew up listening to this music you'll want to add this one to your collection.

I didn't know they ever made them this bad

[brucedgo · 2/10 · 4 April 2007]

I pretty much avoid movies I don't think I'll like. And if I do start one I usually quit early. In this case, because of the performers I fast forwarded to see the performances. They were nearly all bad, too.

The only redeeming features in the movie are 2 minutes of Jackie Wilson and several minutes of Chuck Berry. But even the Chuck Berry portion with a so called "band" was such a joke, a bunch of white guys pretending to play.

And like many films of 50's music, the singing was lip sync'd to a previous recording.

It's a shame. I went to high school from '57 to '61 and there was great music. Would love to see/hear some in a movie.

Go, Johnny, Go! is the second of the Chuck Berry movie appearances I'm reviewing after his recent passing

[tavm · 7/10 · 20 March 2017]

Having previously appeared in Rock Rock Rock! and Mister Rock and Roll, this was the third-and final-appearance of rocker Chuck Berry in a movie that also starred DJ Alan Freed. He and Freed actually act together in this one as they try to get singer Johnny Melody (Jimmy Clanton) on his way to stardom. Now that I just got much of the plot out of the way, I'll just say that it was quite a pleasure seeing Berry performing his hits "Memphis, Tennessee" and "Little Queenie" here. Also loved Jackie Wilson being showcased among the other performances. The movie itself was quite compelling dramatically but I'm glad things get resolved quickly so it doesn't drag. Unfortunately, after this both Freed and Berry would be involved in scandals-Freed in payola and Berry in a sex charge involving a minor with the result of Freed drinking himself to death and Berry serving a few years in jail before making a comeback several years later. This would also become the only appearance of Ritchie Valens before his untimely passing in a plane crash that also took the lives of The Big Bopper and Buddy Holly. He was good, too! On a lighter note, since I always like to cite when players from my favorite movie-It's a Wonderful Life-are in something else, here, it's Dick Elliot-who was that man who told Jimmy Stewart to kiss Donna Reed instead of talking to her to death-who's impatient about going into the phone booth after Clanton and his girlfriend keep hogging the phone! It was hilarious! It was also his last film appearance though he continued to appear on TV before his death in 1961. Anyway, I highly recommend Go, Johnny, Go! to any Chuck Berry fans out there. P.S. Jimmy Clanton is a native of my current hometown of Baton Rouge, LA.

good old days

[mpetko64 · 5/10 · 14 January 2006]

saw this movie by accident on ACM. having been a teenager in the mid fifties i do not recall ever hearing jimmy Clayton sing. i must say that in the style of other teen throbs of that era who made it big with mediocre talent am surprised he did not make it as well. when you look back at the many singers of that time frame it is truly amazing how many fine singers and singing groups there were especially afro-American performers with huge talent that fell by the wayside.when i watch the singers of today i cant understand what they are singing or what makes them popular compared to those of the years gone by. any way what ever happened to Clayton?

Richie Valens only on screen performance.

[Chuck-174 · 8/10 · 13 January 2006]

Go, Johnny, Go! Was the only film in which Richie Valens (Richard Steven Valenzuela) appears on screen. This is significant. 17 year old Valens was killed only a few months after filming, in the plane crash with The Big Bopper (Jiles Perry Richardson) and Buddy Holly, on February 3, 1959.

Go, Johnny, Go! wasn't released until the spring of 1959.

The crash itself, also has some unusual circumstances attached to it. The plane had been chartered by Buddy Holly so that he could join his band at the next stop, Fargo, North Dakota. Valens, Holly, "Jape" as the Big Bopper preferred to be called, and Dion and the Belmonts had been traveling on a bus throughout the Midwest on the "Winter Dance Party, 1959" tour. The bus had been having engine problems and the interior heating system was not working. As a result, "Jape" was coming down with the flu and asked Buddy Holly if he could have Holly's bass player's seat on the plane. The bass player for Holly at that time, was Waylon Jennings. Jennings gave up his seat and the Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens, and Buddy Holly took off at 1:00 AM in the morning from Clear Lake, Iowa and entered rock and roll history only eight miles from the airport.

At the time of the crash, Ritchie Valans's singles, "La Bomba" and "Donna" made him the most popular artist on the bill.

Interesting look at some legends of Rock and Roll

[chuck-reilly · 6/10 · 21 May 2012]

"Go, Johnny, Go!" from 1959 is a showcase of Rock and Roll talent from its early years. Eddie Cochran, Jackie Wilson, Ritchie Valens, the Cadillacs, and Chuck Berry are all on hand here. Unfortunately, poor Ritchie was already gone by the time this film came out and Eddie Cochran would be killed in an auto accident the following year. It didn't take long before Chuck Berry was being indicted which put the skids on his career for years. Still, it's great to see these legends in their prime. The simplistic plot of this movie only serves to give the musical acts some brief intervals, so there isn't much to say about it. It revolves around a "chip on his shoulder" teenage orphan (Jimmy Clanton) who wants to become a singing star in the worst way. The worst way describes the rest of his flimsy story. On the plus side, Clanton sings a few tunes himself and there's no doubt that he had some talent, although this movie did little to advance his career. Of historical note is the appearance of record deejay Alan Freed who is instrumental in the plot of this film. Within a year or two after this movie's release, Freed was testifying before the U.S. Congress regarding his role in the Record Payola Scandal and his career never recovered. Mr. "Rock and Roll" died a broken man a few years later. He is chiefly remembered now for having the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame being built in the city of his original home station: Cleveland, Ohio. Long Live Rock and Roll!!

The Last of Freed

[lzf0 · 31 August 2002]

This is the fifth, and final motion picture to feature legendary disc jockey Alan Freed and his assortment of musical guests. With each film, Freed took a larger role. His acting is so wooden that Nelson Eddy looks like Olivier next to him! He was also the producer of this Hal Roach production and his role is central to the plot. Now Chuck Berry is a different story. Besides performing "Johnny Be Good", "Memphis, Tennessee", and "Little Queenie", Berry plays himself and is a major catalyst to the flimsy plot. He is absolutely natural and charming. Most of the plot belongs to singers Jimmy Clanton and Sandy Stewart. Their acting is surprisingly natural. Of course, Stewart is no rocker and is a little uncomfortable with some of the music. She was more in her element when she recorded the hit single "My Coloring Book". At least Freed spares us the embarrassment of his out of tune and out of time singing that we had to endure in "Rock, Rock, Rock". However, the plot never does resolve. It just stops.

Great Stuff Among the Hollywood Hooey

[LeonLouisRicci · 7/10 · 12 November 2012]

More Hollywood hooey sweetening the Rock n' Roll pie with honey drippings and vanilla leads to make all this "race record stuff" easy to swallow. Jimmy Clanton was better than Bobby Rydell, Fabian, and Frankie Avalon that didn't have a voice between them. But Clanton was by no means and equal to the talent that he was heading in this movie.

"I don't dig it, but I like it", says the old fogie and that just about sums it up for most of these types of white bread movies that were at least kind enough to put the real rockers and black singers in support. Hollywood never did get it and neither did anyone over 30 in the 50's.

That said, we do have these films to thank for a visual reference and time-capsule that otherwise would not exist. Thanx Alan Freed who is credited as one of the very first disc-jockeys to play real Rock n" Roll on his radio show "Moondawg", no matter their racial pedigree. That's the reason the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame is in Cleveland (the home of Freed's station).

There is an attempt to overshadow the real stuff with a silly choir boy story and many songs that were at best mediocre Teeny-Bopper Pop, but the real stars are gleaming and cannot be covered by any of this pandering propaganda. We get in limited supply...Chuck Berry, Jackie Wilson, The Flamingos, The Cadillacs, Richie Valens, Eddie Cochran, and some others that are at least palatable.

But it shows its prejudice and the mainstreams preoccupation with suppressing this stuff, when the choir director says about RnR..."lets hope it is just a fad and will be gone by the time you grow up"...and then in the next few minutes dismisses him from the choir for singing a Pop tune while accompanied on the church organ. Most of his generation really thought that this was the Devil's music.

It's different! But I guess It's still music!

[sol-kay · 6/10 · 26 March 2007]

On top of the world of Rock & Roll teenage heart throb Johnny Melody is without a doubt the hottest thing that ever hit the music charts since "The King" Elvis Aaron Presley himself hit the charts back in 1954.

Johnny almost didn't make it and it was his own arrogance and out and out stupidity that would have landed him in the can, jail, if it wasn't for his mentor and supporter manager and music promoter Alan Freed.Freed took the rap for him, by playing drunk, when Johnny tried to rob a jewelry store on Christmas Eve some two years ago. On that cold and dark evening the love sick kook slammed a brick into the storefront window of a jewelry store and just stood there like he forgot what he was supposed to be doing, robbing a $45.00 gold heart pin for his girlfriend, and waited like a brainless moron for the cops to come and arrest him.

We go into a long flashback as Freed, after Johnny finishes his act, reminds Johnny how fate is really strange and how if it wasn't for him going out of his way to save Johnny's sorry a** he would have ended up a hardened criminal instead of the new American Idol. A singer that wild and hysterical teenage girls, as well as women in their twenties and thirties and even forties, by the tens of thousands would like to go out on a date with; and even more fantastic pick up the tab.

Being orphaned, he was left at the steps of the orphanage, at an early age Johnny was into music but the music, Rock & Roll, he was into wasn't exactly what the head, Mr. Martin, of the church quire that Johnny was trying out for cared for. Hurt and humiliated at being kicked off the quire Johnny ran away from home, or the orphanage, determined to strike out for himself as a Rock & Roll singer. With no job, he was fired as an usher in a theater, or money he didn't even have enough cash to make a demo recording to sent the Rock & Roll promoter Alan Freed to hear his great and untapped talents.

Freed interested in Johnny's singing ability is more then willing to give him a chance but has other things on his mind like the big Rock & Roll show he has planned at the Brooklyn Paramount. That causes Johnny to feel that he was given the cold shoulder and brush off by the legendary Rock & Roll promoter and acts accordingly, like the big jerk that he is. Sulking in his beer and not wanting to have anything to do with improving himself Johnny doesn't take the time to notice that people, Alan Freed included, have their own problems and commitment to attend to and take care of like he should do for his own.

Freed does with the encouraging of his top honcho Bill and assistant, as well as member of his troupe, Rock & Roll singer Chuck Berry play Johnnys, he somehow got the cash to make one, demo record "My Love is Strong" on his radio show. After he heard it Freed was so impressed by it that he decided to get whoever this Johnny is to hear it on the radio and call in to identify himself. This so he can give him the opportunity to strut his stuff on the stage in front of a live and cheering crowd of Rock & Roll music fans.

Johnny as you would expect seems to be the only person in NYC to not listen to the show as he's in the car with his girlfriend Sandy and turns off the radio, broadcasting The Alan Freed Rock & Roll Radio Show. Johnny is still ticked off at Freed for not letting him do his thing, which Freed was just about to do, in showing what a Rock & Roll sensation he's capable of being.

Feeling like a sack of horse manure in not being able to get Sandy the Christmas present that he promised her, the golden heart pin, Johnny plans to rob the jewelry store where the pin is on the display in the window. In the end Johnny gets his butt saved from being thrown into prison by Alan Freed and Sandy who got to the scene, the jewelry store, before the cops did. That saved the bumbling klutz from blowing the big chance, becoming a Rock & Roll teenage Idol, that he always dreamed off but was just too dim-witted to see it even when it was right in front of him!

The plot is forgettable; It's too Bad Artists did not Sing their Hits

[takegoodcare · 6/10 · 12 March 2020]

As an historical movie document, Jimmy Clanton doing one of his top ten hits ("Just A Dream", "Venus in Blue Jeans") would have made this movie come alive. So also with big stars the Cadillacs, Eddy Cochran, Ritchie Valens, and Jackie Wilson. The only one who gets to sing his hits, albeit in a toned-down way, is the great Chuck Berry, with his trademark dance moves alive and well.

Alan Freed and the plot are simply terrible. This would have been better as a concert. And we would not want Sandy Stewart singing religious fables to us. Her songs needed to be beefed up or deleted altogether. This was supposed to be early rock and roll.

They still were proving that rock and roll didn't lead to "juvenile delinquency" as most adults, some vociferously, were claiming. Pastors, ministers, and preachers all condemned the new music from the pulpit, and many adults of the "older generation" saw rock and roll as being from the fires of the pit. As a famous evangelist said, only one would win out: either Christianity or rock and roll. Thankfully, people became more rational, and we all know what happened as a result of rock and roll's early years in the 1950s.

The recording artists make this all worthwhile.

[pakhuntz · 8/10 · 26 March 2003]

A very vapid plot with the "worst kind of juvenile delinquent" really a choir boy he portrays in one scene.However the music and being able to see the performers, many of whom you won't see elsewhere, more than make up for it. The Cadillacs, Jo ann Campbell, chuck berry, Jackie Wilson, et al are all worth the price of admission. Sandy Stewart does a wonderful job with "Heavenly father." The simpleness portrayed in the 50's to bring you the artists is really fun to watch today, especially for the music lover.

Better Than Its Rating/Reviews

[chungjose · 7/10 · 15 January 2022]

In a movie like this, you know going in that the plot is secondary to the music. That being said, the plot is surprisingly solid. The use of flashbacks is cliched but effective. The music is as good as expected. And I particularly enjoyed Chuck Berry's easy going style when not performing his music (which I already knew and loved).

Historically important and a lot of fun.

[joe_lvn · 8/10 · 4 June 2007]

This is arguably the best rock'n'roll movie of the 1950's. Mainly because of the line-up of recording artists. The "Girl Can't Help It" was very good too, but it was more of a straight comedy and the problem with that film was that they kept cutting away from the musical acts in midstream. This film didn't do that,fortunately.

My only disappointment with this film was the choice of songs for a couple of the artists. Especially the great Eddie Cochran. Instead of having him sing the mediocre "Teenage Heaven", it would have been great if he had rocked out with something like "Jeannie,Jeannie,Jeannie" or his classic "Summertime Blues". And instead of the Little Richard cover "Ooh,My Head" (Ooh,My Soul), Ritchie Valens would have been great doing his classic "Come On,Let's Go",or even "La Bamba".

Anyway, like I said, the film is a lot of fun and a piece of musical history. And I have to say not only was Chuck Berry great performing, he really could act.

This was also the last rock'n'roll jukebox musical of the 1950's. I would recommend it to music historians.

Toned Down R&R

[dougdoepke · 21 April 2014]

No need to recap the wispy plot. Many of the names may be familiar from R&R's early period—Berry, Cochran Valens, Wilson— but their stylings are not. Looks to me as though the sounds were toned down to suit a white middle-class audience, whose adults tended to identify hard core R&R with juvenile delinquency. That's particularly the case with Chuck Berry who could do a driving beat with the best of them. Not here however. The producers have even added white bread Jimmy Clanton to headline, even though his crooning style better suits pre-R&R. The movie is clearly a commercial product, running a bit scared of the raucous style it's gently alluding to. For a much less compromised glimpse of those early years, catch The Girl Can't Help It (1956).

A fun 50's rock'n'roll romp

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 16 March 2007]

Legendary 50's rock disc jockey Alan Freed's last and best movie with Freed not only starring (he gives perhaps his most comfortable and engaging performance here), but also producing as well. Freed plays wise, kindly, worldly mentor to an eager beaver orphan (and failed choirboy!) who needs Freed's endorsement to make it as a big-time rock star. Granted, the trite rags-to-riches central story ain't much; ditto the nondescript direction, drab, static cinematography, flat TV movieish production values, and very basic editing. However, one doesn't evaluate this type of golden age of rock feature on either its technical finesse or narrative expertise; it's simply how smokin' the music is that's the chief concern. Fortunately, said music really cooks.

Chuck Berry exudes his customary suave confidence belting out the stone cold aces classics "Johnny Be Goode" and "Memphis, Tennesse." Adorable Jo-Ann Campbell happily chirps the saucy "Mama Can I Go Out." The Flamingoes bring down the house with the raucous party platter "Jump, Children." Harvey pleasantly croons the catchy, charming "Don't Be Afraid of Love." The Cadillacs goof it up something silly on the funny Coasters-style novelty numbers "Jay Walker" and "Please Mr. Johnson." Rockabilly giant Eddie Cochran does a killer rendition of the stupendously boss "You Better Know It." Richie Valens moans outrageously through the socking "Ooh My Head." Lead actor/singer Jimmy Clanton, an affably boyish Louisiana-born lad with a strong bluesy rasp of a voice, commendably holds his own amid this fantastic wealth of remarkable musical talent: the snazzy "Ship On a Stormy Sea," the dreamy "Don't You Know," the lovely "Angel Face," and the pretty, swoony ballad "Once Again" are all first-rate tunes. And the flick's disarmingly effervescent evocation of the nifty 50's rock milieu definitely hits the sweetly nostalgic spot: the kids are decent and clean-cut, the adults tolerant and understanding, the songs all possess cheery, upbeat messages, there's nary a trace of irony or cynicism to be found throughout, and even notoriously jerky skinflint Chuck Berry almost succeeds in coming across like a nice guy (!).

Jimmy Clanton's Website

[user-21805 · 10/10 · 23 September 2007]

Jimmy Clanton is back rockin' and rollin' for the 50th Anniversary of his first gold record ("Just a Dream" 1958) and stronger than ever, playing to SRO crowds. Check out info at JimmyClanton.com. Today, in addition to authoring (with his wife Roxanne) Hardcore Health, a wellness program, and writing an ongoing eColumn by the same name for www.MyBestYears.com, Clanton still performs in popular shows (along with such legends as Chuck Berry, the Shirelles, Fabian, the Cadillacs, Frankie Ford, and Jerry Butler) which hearken audiences back to a time when rock 'n roll was exploding and stars such as Jimmy Clanton were sweeping the nation's airwaves with unforgettable sounds! Is it any wonder why people today still enjoy movies like GO JOHNNY GO, recently featured on TMC?

Second Rate B

[GManfred · 21 February 2017]

I lived through this era but I didn't see this one the first time around. Now I know why. Word probably got out that the songs were obscure and not the songs these performers were known for. The problem is compounded by a very lame plot which was meant as a filler in between songs, and you have a movie you can easily pass on.

Several big 50's names are here, but as I mentioned no famous songs. The story centers around singer Jimmy Clanton and Alan Freed, a 50's disc jockey unknown to audiences nowadays. Clanton is trying to break into show business and Freed is sponsoring a contest for an unknown singer on his show - you can almost write the script yourself from this point. The sole bright spot is a youthful-looking Chuck Berry, who does his patented duck walk while playing his guitar, and sings "Johnny Be Good" and "Memphis", which was made popular a few years later by Johnny Rivers. Berry is the only reason for my rating, which is too high without him.

Campy! And That's What's So good!

[stephenpaulgarsh · 8/10 · 6 July 2022]

Check your "Today" at the door. Quit whining. It's time to revel in 4:3 Black and White Rock N' Roll, lip syncing nostalgia. I love it! Can't get enough just like this!