This fun little movie has many young singers performing in various scenes and as enjoyable as that is, it's the (all too brief) role of Joy Harmon that makes this film worth watching. What a body! Even though Joy wears a long dress it's still easy to see what a tremendous figure she had. Of course, later in her career viewers could get a better look in films like Village of the Giants and Cool Hand Luke. Everyday I wish that selfish husband of hers (Jeff Gourson of Adam Sandler's production company) would have not convinced her to quit acting. What a shame! Anyway, everyone enjoy this little film and I promise you won't forget Miss Harmon's unforgettable presence.

For a number of reasons I was prepared to dislike this movie. But in fact I found it a pleasant diversion and at times even charming, especially the little "getting acquainted" stroll down New York streets. Crooner LaRosa steps into his acting role in surprisingly skillful fashion and in other circumstances might have had a successful lightweight career. But I don't think his early appeal ever really recovered from accusations that he had dodged service in the Korean War or from his highly publicized run-in with TV impresario Arthur Godfrey. Bubbly Phyllis Newman adds a lot of personality and charm. Too bad, in my little book, that she made a career on TV instead of in movies where that sparkle could have been spotlighted. Also, Conrad Janis makes an effective, smooth-talking show business agent and foil for LaRosa. In fact, I learned quite a bit about the business side of the old record industry from the intelligent, non-sappy screenplay. To me, the musical acts are a matter of taste, but the revue does give later generations a chance to catch Danny & the Juniors' chart-topping rendition of "At the Hop", a true R&R classic. Yes indeed, R&R did pretty much replace ballads among teens and kill off popular TV shows like Your Hit Parade, a traditional Saturday evening staple. But it did revitalize a record industry clearly in need of new direction. Off hand, I can't recall a single popular ballad singer who made a successful transition to R&R, as LaRosa's character is trying to do here, but I could be wrong. Anyway, the movie remains an entertaining little window into a period when popular music was undergoing wrenchingly revolutionary change.

Julius LaRosa portrays Tommy Adane, an acclaimed singer of ballads whose popularity has passed with the recent rock and roll craze. His manager (Conrad Janis) desperately tries to get his career recharged by having the apprehensive Tommy give in and record some rock music. The first question I have is: if this is a movie that's promoting the new rock and roll music, why do we have to suffer through a few of LaRosa's schmaltzy ballads? Anyway -- there's still the famous "Short Shorts" song, one tune from Paul Anka, some cool stuff by Roy Hamilton, and the choice moment of the film where Danny and the Juniors perform their classic hit, "At the Hop". I also liked some nice shots of New York's Central Park in the '50s. **1/2 out of ****

Before rock stars went on huge concert tours and before teenagers had enough disposable income to attend such spectacles, Hollywood tried to offer recording stars exposure through cheap movies. LET'S ROCK is typical of the genre--the central idea (that mellow crooner Julius LaRosa could become a rock star) is ludicrous and the acting by LaRosa and Phyllis Newman close to amateur standards. But there are a couple of hits--Danny and The Juniors doing "At the Hop" is the highlight. Every time LaRosa tries to sing, you might as well fast forward. "Rock Around the Clock" remains the best of a bad lot.