Producer Sam Katzman was at the forefront when it came to exploiting the rock n’ roll craze of the mid 50’s.  Katzman’s Don’t Knock the Rock, along with its predecessor Rock Around the Clock had minimal plot and maximum rock n’ roll.  Both films featured Bill Haley and the Comets as well as rock music impresario Alan Freed playing himself.  The movies themselves were nothing special, but if anything they serve as excellent time capsules of a more innocent time. 

Alan Dale stars as a top music star whose strings are pulled by his omnipotent manager (Freed).  Dale takes a break from his busy touring schedule and heads back to his hometown for some R & R.  He gets an icy reception from the town elders who think rock n’ roll is “depraved” and forbid Alan and his band from playing inside the town limits.  Naturally, Alan gets a bunch of bands together (including Little Richard) and they play their gig anyway.  (Otherwise we wouldn’t have a movie.)   

Don’t Knock the Rock isn’t nearly as good as Rock Around the Clock because most of the music just isn’t all that great.  A flick like this depends on the musical acts and for the most part, they’re all forgettable.  While Dale is pretty awful in the singing department (he’s one of those wannabe Sinatra crooners) he does makes for a competent leading man.  Haley gets the most numbers, but none of them are nearly as good as “Rock Around the Clock”.  At least Little Richard kicks all kinds of ass while playing “Tutti Fruitti” and “Long Tall Sally”.  Don’t Knock the Rock maybe be ho-hum in just about every respect, but Little Richard’s brief appearance alone is worth the price of admission.

Director Fred F. Sears also helmed such not-so-classics as The Giant Claw for Katzman.