Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9786301560627
Format: Black & White
ISBN: 6301560620
Label: Video Treasures
Manufacturer: Video Treasures
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Video Treasures
Release Date: 1989-06-08
Running Time: 75
Studio: Video Treasures
Theatrical Release Date: 1959-06

Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Music Review
Comment: Searched many years for this movie, and the music from it. Plot is lame, but to see Alan Freed, and the great music stars from the 50's was worth the search. In time I have been able to obtain the acutal recordings from the movie, one a 4 song 45 EP of J. Clantons songs in mint condition and the 45 singles for the Jackie Wilson, Chuck Berry. The others I have found on albums or have had to settle for dubs from the film. This has been released on CD and is available on Ebay, but be careful of the vendors there are bad copies a plenty. Also note this VHS is recorded at the slowest tape speed and the quality is good, but suggest that a high speed copy be made early on, before the tape degrades.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Good for a lazy weekend afternoon
Comment: This is good for a lazy weekend afternoon. Nice late 50s time capsule with R&R impresario Alan Freed hosting a "story" about forgotten rocker Jimmy Clanton's rise from orphanage to rock stardom. Chuck Berry (in a role he says took 5 days to film-no doubt) hangs out with Alan and performs the title cut, Memphis, and Little Queenie. There is also some nice rare footage from acrobatic doo-woppers the Flamingos, comedy doowooppers the Cadillacs, the legendary Jackie Wilson, Ediie Cochran and Ritchie Valenz before their untimely deaths, etc.

Leave your brains at the door, laugh at the dopey plot and cornball acting, and ENJOY THE MUSIC.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: interesting as history, entertaining to a degree
Comment: The real calue of GJG is, of course, the music. It's always interesting to see the Flamingos, Cadillacs, Eddie Cochran, jackie wilson, Harvey Fuqua and even Jimmy Clanton performing in their prime. Also the fact that this was Valens' only film appearance can't be overlooked. As a movie, it's watchable, but maybe only once. Freed, Clanton, Stewart and Berry were definitely not actors, and it shows to the nth degree here. In fact. there's not much acting in the film at all. And while it's cool to see the entertainers, virtually none of them -- maybe Clanton -- are doing the numbers that were the mega-hits for them. The only exception is Berry, and for some reason, his performances, all 2 of them, seem kind of lackluster, in particular Memphis. Still, it's a true time capsule on film. One interesting trivia note: Joe Flynn from McHale's Navy makes a quick appearance. And, naturally, not available on DVD at this writing.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: An all you can eat early Rock & Roll buffet!
Comment: What a wonderful and entertaining entry level Rock & Roll flick. A plethora of early pioneers. Some legends.....some long forgotton. However it's for the presence of these true legends that make this movie a must see. The first real meat you are hit with (after the pleasantries of Jimmy Clanton, Alan Freed, and Chuck Berry) is an absolutely rousing review number by The Flamingos. It is clearly one of the show stopping moments in the movie. Then subsequent spine tingling numbers by Eddie Cochran, Richie Valens, and Jackie Wilson and holy cow.....what a barn burner this one is. It even has a convoluted plot that almost passes for a story with Alan Freed playing Mr. Nice guy. So why only 4 stars? Because if you really want to see a 5 star fifties R & R flick then these two are the supreme must see's. Rock Around The Clock. Line for line and frame for frame the best R & R fifties flick of all time. Then a close second is The Girl Can't Help It. Besides having the brilliant Tom Ewell and Edmond O'Brien there are 2 very big reasons to see this movie.....Jane Mansfield! OMG.....I don't think I'll ever recover from that woman. Seriously.....these two flicks are the best ever. Get them as soon as humanly possible!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: musical time capsule
Comment: Released in 1959, GO, JOHNNY, GO! is a musical time capsule. While the acting and plot leave something to be desired, the film is still worth checking out for it's performances of the artists featured. The film stars the legendary ALAN FREED who's looking for his next big act. JIMMY CLANTON co-stars as the act FREED is trying to find. Jimmy sings several songs as does CHUCK BERRY, who makes his acting debut in the film. Intercut throughout the film are musical performances by some of rock n' rolls biggest hitmakers at the time. While this was the standard practise for these films (eg. Rock Around The Clock, Don't Knock The Rock, Rock! Rock! Rock!, Mr. Rock And Roll)(having artists lip synche their latest recording)these films are often the only footage in existance, of these artists in their prime. GO, JOHNNY, GO! features several memorable performances. JIMMY CLANTON, SANDY STEWART, JO ANN CAMPBELL, THE CADILLACS, and THE FLAMINGOS all give memorable performances but the standout performances by the other legendary stars makes this film unique. CHUCK BERRY not only acts in the film but performs his classic "Memphis Tennessee". EDDIE COCHRAN is seen in one his few performance clips. RITCHIE VALENS is seen performing "Ooh My Head" in what was his only movie performance. Within a few months time Valens would be killed in a plane crash along with BUDDY HOLLY and JP "THE BIG BOPPER" RICHARDSON. Also appearing was the talented HARVEY FUQUA of THE MOONGLOWS performing "Don't Be Afraid To Love". By the time of this film the original Moonglows had dibanded and Harvey would start recording with his "New" Moonglows group which included young MARVIN GAYE. Harvey gives an exciting performance in the film. He seems to glide across the floor not much unlike Mr. Excitement, JACKIE WILSON, who performs his self penned #1 R&B hit "You Better Know It". Wilson gives a performance that only gives us a glimpse at how great a performer he was. Unfortunately Jackie would only appear in one other film during his career, 1961's TEENAGE MILLIONARE. Which also starred JIMMY CLANTON. So do see the film not for the plot but for these rare performances.

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