Wonderful Movie

Sorry, this movie sucks

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Having previously appeared in Rock Rock Rock! and Mister Rock and Roll, this was the third-and final-appearance of rocker Chuck Berry in a movie that also starred DJ Alan Freed. He and Freed actually act together in this one as they try to get singer Johnny Melody (Jimmy Clanton) on his way to stardom. Now that I just got much of the plot out of the way, I'll just say that it was quite a pleasure seeing Berry performing his hits "Memphis, Tennessee" and "Little Queenie" here. Also loved Jackie Wilson being showcased among the other performances. The movie itself was quite compelling dramatically but I'm glad things get resolved quickly so it doesn't drag. Unfortunately, after this both Freed and Berry would be involved in scandals-Freed in payola and Berry in a sex charge involving a minor with the result of Freed drinking himself to death and Berry serving a few years in jail before making a comeback several years later. This would also become the only appearance of Ritchie Valens before his untimely passing in a plane crash that also took the lives of The Big Bopper and Buddy Holly. He was good, too! On a lighter note, since I always like to cite when players from my favorite movie-It's a Wonderful Life-are in something else, here, it's Dick Elliot-who was that man who told Jimmy Stewart to kiss Donna Reed instead of talking to her to death-who's impatient about going into the phone booth after Clanton and his girlfriend keep hogging the phone! It was hilarious! It was also his last film appearance though he continued to appear on TV before his death in 1961. Anyway, I highly recommend Go, Johnny, Go! to any Chuck Berry fans out there. P.S. Jimmy Clanton is a native of my current hometown of Baton Rouge, LA.

"Go, Johnny, Go!" from 1959 is a showcase of Rock and Roll talent from its early years. Eddie Cochran, Jackie Wilson, Ritchie Valens, the Cadillacs, and Chuck Berry are all on hand here. Unfortunately, poor Ritchie was already gone by the time this film came out and Eddie Cochran would be killed in an auto accident the following year. It didn't take long before Chuck Berry was being indicted which put the skids on his career for years. Still, it's great to see these legends in their prime. The simplistic plot of this movie only serves to give the musical acts some brief intervals, so there isn't much to say about it. It revolves around a "chip on his shoulder" teenage orphan (Jimmy Clanton) who wants to become a singing star in the worst way. The worst way describes the rest of his flimsy story. On the plus side, Clanton sings a few tunes himself and there's no doubt that he had some talent, although this movie did little to advance his career. Of historical note is the appearance of record deejay Alan Freed who is instrumental in the plot of this film. Within a year or two after this movie's release, Freed was testifying before the U.S. Congress regarding his role in the Record Payola Scandal and his career never recovered. Mr. "Rock and Roll" died a broken man a few years later. He is chiefly remembered now for having the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame being built in the city of his original home station: Cleveland, Ohio. Long Live Rock and Roll!!

Jimmy Clanton is back rockin' and rollin' for the 50th Anniversary of his first gold record ("Just a Dream" 1958) and stronger than ever, playing to SRO crowds. Check out info at JimmyClanton.com. Today, in addition to authoring (with his wife Roxanne) Hardcore Health, a wellness program, and writing an ongoing eColumn by the same name for www.MyBestYears.com, Clanton still performs in popular shows (along with such legends as Chuck Berry, the Shirelles, Fabian, the Cadillacs, Frankie Ford, and Jerry Butler) which hearken audiences back to a time when rock 'n roll was exploding and stars such as Jimmy Clanton were sweeping the nation's airwaves with unforgettable sounds! Is it any wonder why people today still enjoy movies like GO JOHNNY GO, recently featured on TMC?

saw this movie by accident on ACM. having been a teenager in the mid fifties i do not recall ever hearing jimmy Clayton sing. i must say that in the style of other teen throbs of that era who made it big with mediocre talent am surprised he did not make it as well. when you look back at the many singers of that time frame it is truly amazing how many fine singers and singing groups there were especially afro-American performers with huge talent that fell by the wayside.when i watch the singers of today i cant understand what they are singing or what makes them popular compared to those of the years gone by. any way what ever happened to Clayton?