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.

"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!!

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?

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 (!).