Don’t Knock the Twist
Directed by Oscar Rudolph
Written by Robert E. Kent
1962/USA
Four Leaf Productions
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] I compare the twist to the electric light, the twist is me, and I’m it. I’m the electric light. – Chubby Checker [/box]
The story is dopey but a lot of the music and dancing are pretty good.
The head of a TV network has noticed that its rival is getting the ratings with its twist shows. He challenges one of his executives to beat the rival by putting together a twist spectacular in only one month. Fortunately, the executive is a friend of Chubby Checker’s! We also get the obligatory love triangle between a money-hungry brunette fashion designer, a blonde teenage dancer (only dances to benefit an orphanage) and the executive.
I had low expectations going in but it turns out we get several sixties golden oldies and some good twisting, along with lots of rear views of ladies shaking their booties.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cinQlHeMnc
Clip – Gene Chandler sings “The Duke of Earl”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bw55sR4ec8
Still in great voice all these years later