Juke Box Rhythm (1959)

Admirable film.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

***SPOLIERS*** Somewhat silly as well as predictable rock & roll flick that has poor little rich & royal girl Princess Ann, Jo Morrow, from some unmanned European country literately letting her hair down and getting with it in becoming involved with handsome rock & roll singer Riff Manton, Jack Jones. Riff uses Princess Ann to get his show producer father George played by Brian Donlevy, who looked like he just couldn't wait for the movie to finally end, who hasn't had a hit in six years the money to continue his production of the show "Juke Box Jamboree": So why you wounder the film is called "Juke Box Rhythm"?Things get a bit sticky when Princess Ann's nosy and overbearing Aunt Margaret, Frida Inesort, tries to break up the relationship with the princess and Riff in feeling he's not up to her class and position as well as breeding to have anything to do with her. Aunt Mararet is also put off with the rock & roll music that the Princess is so found of, after being introduced to it by Riff, that she feels is corrupting her morals. There's also the fact that Riff wants to get his dad Gorge back together with his mom and estranged wife Martha, Marjorie Reynolds, whom George's new girlfriend Leslie Anders, Karin Booth,is doing everything to keep the two apart.The person who in fact steals the show is former junk-man and now up and coming world famous fashion designer Balenko, Hans Conried, who in seeing a photo in the newspapers of Riff dancing with Pincess Ann tries to get Riff to have the Princess have him design her wardrobe, all 27 dresses worth, for her upcoming coronation back home. It's when Aunt Margaret finds out that Balenko is not just a former junk-man but was involved with Riff in getting Ann to give him the contract for her wardrobe that all hell broke loose. It's later was when Aunt Margaret as well as everybody else saw what a fashion genius Balanko is that his previous employment as a self-employed junk-man didn't keep him from being welcomed by Ann's royal family. The film ends on a high note with both Ann & Riff together and Aunt Margaret in seeing what a charming and witty rascal former junk-man Balenko is that she lost all her inhibitions in being part of the upper class of society and, like Princess Ann, let her hair down and both joined the party and let it all hang out. Poppa George did in fact get the hit show that he was looking for all these years that put him back in business as a top theater and play producer but by far the best thing that happened to both him and his son Riff in that he and his estranged wife Martha were back together again when the film finally ended. There's also in the film guest appearances by the "Earl Grant Trio" as well as this comedy singing and dancing group called "The Nitwits" and last but not least the world famous "Toastmaster General" Gorgie Jessel who's mistaken by someone in the film, after getting his autograph, for Milton Berle!

Is this the worst of the first wave of rock n roll exploitation flicks? I say yes. Jack Jones stars as the son of theatrical impresario Brian Donlevy, a producer desperately in need of a hit. He comes up with a show called Juke Box Jamboree, which everyone agrees is a terrific title. The truth, of course, is that it's an awful title, and one suspects everyone actually knows it, but are too afraid to burst Donlevy's bubble. Son Jones also makes the acquaintance of all-American 'foreign princess' Jo Morrow, as well as fashion designer Hans Conried, here sporting an outrrrrageous accent. Salted throughout these extremely uninteresting plot points are performances by Earl Grant (not terrible, but not great, either), The Treniers (worthwhile, but not at their best), Johnny Otis (Willie and the Hand Jive being the film's highlight), The Nitwits (an indigestible cross-pollination of P.D.Q. Bach and Spike Jones), and young Jack himself, the least likely rocker this side of Pat Boone. The climax of all this is, of course, the premiere of Juke Box Jamboree, a threadbare variety hour that, we are told, duly impresses the critics, who perhaps were overwhelmed by the dazzling presence of Toastmaster General George Jessel. For some reason, director Arthur Dreifuss kept being assigned similar films such as the legendary Riot On Sunset Strip (1967) and the worst film of the SECOND wave of rock n roll exploitation films, The Young Runaways (1968).

The movie also features several Hollywood veterans - Brian Donlevy, George Jessel, Hans Conried, Marjorie Reynolds and Fritz Feld. But this 1960s rocker is more worth seeing for the performances of the Earl Grant Trio ("12th Street Rag" and "Last Night"), Johnnie Otis ("Willie and the Hand Jive") and, of course, the fabulous Treniers ("Get Out of the Car"). For years the Treniers thrilled crowds with their energetic song and dance act on the Las Vegas strip - the only rocking act to do so until Elvis conquered Vegas. Three other movies - Don't Knock the Rock, The Girl Can't Help It and Calypso Heat Wave - showcase their act much better though. This also was The Nitwits Act only film appearance. They were a Spike Jones-type novelty act led by Sid Millward.

Lighthearted musical about a beautiful princess who arrives in New York City to pick her coronation wardrobe under the thumb and serious guidance of her aunt, the Countess, who doesn't approve of NYC or that "immoral music" the princess seems to like. Well, first night in town our princess sneaks out of her room and into the "Spring Hop" fraternity dance being held in her hotel where she meets handsome, singing Riff Manton (Jack Jones), a real ringer for a young Ricky Nelson. Soon it's agreed that Riff can take her to a classical concert - instead he sneaks her to the "Bop Inn" where the kids are swinging and George Jessel appears in person to sing and do comedy patter with the audience. And meanwhile - Riff is busy with a plan to try and get the princess to buy her wardrobe from a struggling fashion designer who has offered Riff the money in exchange for the recognition - which Riff plans to invest in his theatrical producer dad's upcoming new show "Juke Box Jamboree".This is a fun, lightly entertaining film full of well-done dance numbers and musical performances like the Johnny Otis Band performing "Willie and the Hand Jive". The acting is acceptable, though nothing to write home about, the princess is revealed to have a great singing voice but that plot device is then just thrown away - and then there's the mystery of where in the world the princess and her aunt are actually from, considering they speak with perfect American accents. But none of that really matters - the story is interesting and the dancing and the music all good, and there's even a few fun-to-watch (though brief) fashion segments - all in all, a film worth seeing.