Don't Knock the Twist is a 1962 comedy musical film starring Lang Jeffries, directed by Oscar Rudolph and produced by Sam Katzman for release by Columbia Pictures. It is a sequel to the 1961 film Twist Around the Clock, featuring musical artists including Chubby Checker.

Don't Knock the Twist
Directed byOscar Rudolph
Screenplay byRobert E. Kent
Produced bySam Katzman
StarringLang Jeffries
Chubby Checker
Gene Chandler
Vic Dana
CinematographyGordon Avil
Edited byJerome Thoms
Music byFreddy Karger
Production
company
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release date
  • April 13, 1962 (1962-04-13)
Running time
89 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Don't Knock The Twist Original Sound Track Recording
Soundtrack album by
Released1962
GenrePop rock
LabelParkway
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
New Record Mirror[1]

Plot summary

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A large group of twist dancers meet in preparation for a television variety show called The Twist. While the program is still in its production stages, jealousy leads to problems.

Cast

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Critical reception

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In their review of the film for Turner Classic Movies, critic John M. Miller wrote that "No matter how trite or inconsequential the plot, every Katzman-produced exploitation musical is invaluable for capturing obscure recording artists of the era in their prime," noting that the "slick pop numbers [of Dana and Scott] serve as a reminder that many of the chart toppers of the period were soon forgotten," and that the film "is also one of those Rock movies that emphasize the importance of adults' acceptance of their kids' fads and tastes."[2] A review of the film in TV Guide reported that it features "a silly story about preparations for a TV special on the twist and efforts to help a summer camp for orphans; in other words, a way to segue between a dozen musical numbers of varying quality."[3]

Music

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Live performances in the film

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  1. "Don't Knock the Twist" - Chubby Checker
  2. "Duke of Earl" - Gene Chandler
  3. "Slow Twistin'" - Chubby Checker & Dee Dee Sharp
  4. "Yessiree" - Linda Scott
  5. "Little Altar Boy" - Vic Dana
  6. "The Fly" - Chubby Checker
  7. "Do the New Continental" - The Dovells
  8. "Hey! Bo Diddley" - The Carroll Brothers
  9. "Mashed Potato Time" - Dee Dee Sharp
  10. "Bristol Stomp" - The Dovells

Soundtrack

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  1. "Twistin'" (Mann-Appell) 2:08
  2. "Bristol Stomp" (Mann-Appell) 2:18
  3. "La Paloma Twist" (Kal Mann) 2:32
  4. "Mashed Potato Time" (Sheldon-Land) 2:27
  5. "Bo Diddley" (Bo Diddley) 3:05 (misspelled "Diddely" on cover and label)
  6. "I Love to Twist" (Mann-Lowe) 2:40
  7. "Don't Knock the Twist" (Mann-Appell) 2:17
  8. "Salome Twist" (Karger-Kent) 1:38
  9. "The Fly" (John Madara/David White) 2:27
  10. "Smashed Potatoes" (Sheldon-Leon) 2:27
  11. "Slow Twistin'" (Jon Sheldon) 2:31

References

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  1. ^ Watson, Jimmy (July 28, 1962). "Chubby Checker: Don't Knock The Twist Film Sound Track" (PDF). New Record Mirror. No. 72. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 1, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  2. ^ Miller, John M. "Don't Knock the Twist (1962)". Turner Classic Movies. Turner Classic Movies, Inc. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  3. ^ "Don't Knock the Twist - Movie Review". TV Guide. TV Guide. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
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