With more Dixieland (in Britain they called it Trad) than a Casual Viewer/Listener could possibly stand, this Fun Frolic from Creative British Director Richard Lester is a Time Capsule of the British Teen Scene just before Beatlemania. Jazz was the Thing then and one can see and hear its Limitations while viewing/listening to this Curiosity.There are some American Hit-Makers thrown in to Sweeten the U.S. Market and it is neat to see Gary U.S. Bonds, Gene Vincent, and Gene McDaniel. The Female Lead Helen Shapiro makes an Impression as do the Paris Sisters, but the Overwhelming amount of Dixieland submerges the Movie with a Flood of Ear Piercings (inner not outer).Overall, Music Historians and Pop Culture Enthusiasts should give it a watch, and Fans of Dixieland Jazz, but others might find it more Irritating than Essential. The Movie does have an Innocent Charm and is more Professional than its American Cousin RnR Movies, mostly because of the Talent of the Director.

Before Richard Lester became flavour of the month by directing the very innovative "A Hard Day's Night", he was experimenting with some innovative ideas on "It's Trad, Dad". It was a low key youth movie, designed to showcase up and coming talent and featured an invisible narrator who talked to the two teens who were busy organising a show. The plot had to do with a pair of teens who want to introduce some trad jazz into their town but have opposition from a bunch of "oldies". The featured star was Helen Shapiro who may not have cracked the big time in America but certainly did in Australia. "Walking Back to Happiness" was played so often on the radio I can still sing it now, 50 years later. She was a 14 year old discovery from Clapton whose distinctive low, throaty voice was her trademark.It's amazing, this movie bought the early 60s flooding back when trad jazz was really in vogue - Acker Bilk was number one (it seemed like forever) with "Stranger On the Shore", he was a highlight of this movie with a spirited rendition of "In a Persian Market". Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen often guested on TV shows at that time, "Sounds Incorporated" were a big band and had a huge hit in Australia with "William Tell Overture" and the hilarious Temperance 7, who specialised in 1920s jazz - remember them???A disgruntled Mayor wants to stamp out trad jazz so "the girl and the boy" (Helen Shapiro and Craig Douglas) decide to bring a jazz show to their town. Interspersed between the jazz acts are the rock and rollers - Gene Vincent ("Space Ship to Mars"), The Brook Brothers ("Double Trouble"), Del Shannon, Gene MacDaniells - what a fantastic voice he had and Chubby Checker who did the "Lose Your Inhibition" twist.The kids finally get their jazz show organised but the Mayor goes all out to sabotage it so while waiting for the acts to arrive the local talent get a chance to shine. Craig Douglas who had a hit in 1959 with "Only Sixteen" and of course Helen Shapiro who sings "Let's Talk", "Just Wondering" and "Ring a Ding Rhythmn".Unfortunately the movie flopped in America with the new title "Ring A Ding Rhythmn" - as if that made more sense than "It's Trad, Dad"!! Among the other cast members was Derek Nimmo as the comical waiter and Ronnie Stevens who actually hosted a variety show series in Australia. I just loved the end credits when it said Helen Shapiro's wardrobe was made with Butterick Patterns - you gotta love it!!!

Richard Lester was perfecting his craft as rock movie director guru here. He did a great job! I have a soft spot for Helen Shapiro; anyone who does will love this movie. I was surprised about the number of Dixieland jazz band groups who played in this flick. I didn't realize that it was so popular then in the UK (I was only ten when this movie was made)! It was good to see Mr. Acker Bilk and his band; he was an Atlantic recording artist in the 60's. When I'd buy an album by Cream or The Allman Bros. Band back then, the sleeve would inevitably feature albums by Acker Bilk. I knew he was a good clarinet player, but I'd never seen him "play" until I saw this movie. Of course, the plot was undeniably banal, but really, who cares? It's an historical document!

I never heard of this movie until seeing it tonight on Turner Classic Movies. Who would have thought that Trad meant Dixieland Jazz in Britain? This movie is full of excellent jazz performances but the American rock and roll artists seem out of place. Most of their careers, like Gene Vincent, were on the decline in the US. Chubby Checkers' was on the rise due to the twist craze.This was the first time I've seen Helen Shapiro though I've heard of her in conjunction with the Beatles. Lovely girl, I never would have guessed that she was only 15 when this was filmed. Luckily I was able to find out more on her web site.Too bad this movie isn't out on tape or DVD. If it's broadcast again, I'll record it.