Rock and Roll Goes to the Movies

ROCK AND ROLL GOES TO THE MOVIES

History of Jazz, Blues, Rock, and Pop.

Teen Idol Review

• Between 1957 and 1960, many of the early R&R stars disappeared from the charts.

• The vacuum that was created was filled by a new class of performers; the "teen idols".

• The "teen idols" were mostly white, mostly male artists that performed a version of R&R that was in step with the mainstream culture of the day.

Teen Idol Review

• They were neat, clean-cut, and non-threatening in appearance.

• Their music was a pop style that was similar to that of Frank Sinatra or the movie-era version of Elvis.

• Their clean-cut good looks played well on television, which was replacing radio.

• It helped to gradually gain mainstream acceptance for R&R.

Essential Question

How did movies help to introduce Rock and Roll culture to mainstream audiences in the 1950s?

Overview

As the influence of teenagers expanded in the 1950s, it did not take long for movie studios to tap into their fascination with Rock and Roll. Some historians argue that the first so-called “Rock and Roll movie” to cause a sensation was Blackboard Jungle (1955), a film depicting the struggles of a high school teacher with a class full of “juvenile delinquents.” The film famously opened to the sound of “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley & His Comets.

Overview

The song reportedly played at such a high volume that teenage audiences rose from their seats to either dance in the aisles or to vandalize the auditorium, depending on the media coverage. Blackboard Jungle sent “Rock Around the Clock” directly to the top of the Billboard charts, while the movie’s notoriety led to widespread censorship. The controversy only further increased public interest in Rock and Roll, and Hollywood was ready to meet the demand.

Opening Activity

Watch the trailer for Blackboard Jungle (1955). You should take notes on any words and phrases the narrator uses to describe the onscreen action and music. Answer the questions that follow.

Blackboard Jungle (1955)

Open Ended

What is this movie about? How does the film depict teenagers?

Open Ended

By playing “Rock Around the Clock” over the image of “teenage savages,” what does the film seem to suggest about Rock and Roll music?

Big Idea

Blackboard Jungle was the first movie to feature a Rock and Roll song on its soundtrack. After the film’s release, “Rock Around the Clock” went to number one on Billboard’s Pop charts, where it remained for eight weeks. However, due to some people’s concerns over the content of the film, Blackboard Jungle was banned in several American cities.

Subject | Subject

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Open Ended

What are some of the reasons the Atlanta board of censors cite for banning the film? Based on what you saw from watching the trailer, do you think the ban was fair or needed?

Open Ended

Do you think the controversy (public disagreement) over the film helped or hurt the popularity of the song “Rock Around the Clock?” Explain your answer.

You're the Boss

Activity

You are leading a team of industry professionals in the 1950s.  You will view three trailers for movies released soon after Blackboard Jungle: Rebel Without a Cause (1955), Rock Around the Clock (1956), and Jailhouse Rock (1957). Each of these films addressed concerns about teenagers in the mid-1950s, particularly the perceived threat of juvenile delinquency and the rising influence of Rock and Roll culture.

Activity

Before watching the trailers, you will review a handout that describes your job and what you are watching for. After watching the trailers, you will make a short final report based on what is asked in the handout.

The Movie Label

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Movie Trailers

Open Ended

After watching the trailers, you must decide which of the three movies has the highest potential for box office success and is deserving of the largest marketing budget. You must explain fully why you made your decision.

The Record Label

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Movie Trailers

Open Ended

After watching the trailers, you must decide which of the three movies has the potential to sell the greatest amount of Rock and Roll records, and is thus deserving of having a promotional soundtrack album released in record shops.. You must explain fully why you made your decision.

The Motion Picture Association of America

Movie Trailers

Open Ended

After watching the trailers, you must choose one movie to restrict from being seen by a general audience. You must explain fully why you made your decision.

The Theater Owners of America

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Movie Trailers

Open Ended

After watching the trailers, you must pick one of the three movies that you intend to show in your theaters. You must explain fully why you made your decision.

Wrap Up

Open Ended

Please write 3-4 sentences in which you pick one of the four trailers viewed during the lesson (including Blackboard Jungle) and share why you would most want to see that movie in its entirety.