Rock and Roll Movies Trivia Quiz

Answer: Rock Around the Clock

"Rock Around the Clock" is considered to be the first true rock and roll feature film, even though the song was used in the soundtrack of "Blackboard Jungle" the previous year. "Rock Around the Clock" is a fictional account of the discovery of rock and roll by a promoter when he visits a small town and finds Bill Haley and the Comets packing in the crowds.

It was produced by Sam Katzman and directed by Fred F. Sears. Katzman went on to produce many Elvis Presley films in the sixties. Along with Bill Haley and His Comets the movie features DJ Alan Freed, The Platters and Freddie Bell and the Bellboys.

The movie features nine performances by Haley but the song "Rock Around the Clock" is never heard in its entirety throughout the film. Little attention was paid to the song "Rock Around the Clock" when Bill Haley and the Comets first recorded it as the B side of "Thirteen Women" in 1954. Later in 1956 Bill Haley and His Comets headlined a sequel called "Don't Knock the Rock". "Rudy's Rock" is performed by Haley in the film.

In 1961 Katzman produced "Twist Around the Clock" starring Chubby Checker. It is essentially a remake of "Rock Around the Clock".

Answer: Jayne Mansfield

"The Girl Can't Help It" stars Jayne Mansfield, Tom Ewell and Edmond O'Brien. It was produced and directed by Frank Tashlin, with a screenplay by Frank Tashlin and Herbert Baker. The original music score, including the title song recorded by Little Richard, was written by Bobby Troup.

It was one of the early movies shot in CinemaScope. The plot involves a slot-machine mobster who wants his blond girlfriend to be a singing star, despite the fact that she has little talent. Using nightclubs as a method of getting rock and roll songs in the film, the movie features some of the greats of rock and roll including Little Richard, Fats Domino, The Platters, Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps, Eddie Fontaine and The Chuckles.

The Chuckles enjoyed brief popularity after the movie but soon faded. Young hopeful Teddy Randazzo also appears. Tom Ewell played opposite Marilyn Monroe in "The Seven Year Itch". Zola Taylor was one of The Platters. Julie London makes an appearance as Ewell's former girlfriend.

Answer: American Hot Wax

"American Hot Wax" is a 1978 bio-film about Cleveland, Ohio, disc jockey Alan Freed. Freed was instrumental in popularizing rock 'n' roll in the fifties and is credited with coining the term "Rock 'n' Roll". The film stars Tim McIntire as Freed, along with Fran Drescher, Laraine Newman and Melanie Chartoff. Jay Leno has a supporting role as the head of a Buddy Holly fan club.

There is also a walk-on part by a teen-aged Cameron Crowe. "American Hot Wax" features performances by Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Frankie Ford, Screamin' Jay Hawkins and the Brooklyn Dreams performing as Kenny Vance and The Planotones. "American Graffiti" has an excellent rock music soundtrack and involves the lives of several teenagers over the course of one night. "Hail Hail Rock and Roll" is a 1987 music film featuring artists honoring Chuck Berry on his 50th birthday. "Got My Mojo Working" is a musical film depicting the work of Muddy Waters.

Answer: Jesse Pearson

Jesse Pearson plays the role of teen idol Conrad Birdie, a character based loosely on Conway Twitty. Ed Sullivan makes a guest appearance. Bobby Rydell stars as Hugo Peabody. The high school in the film is Rydell High. "Bye Bye Birdie" was originally titled "Let's Go Steady".

The 1963 film is set in 1958 and was inspired by Elvis Presley's induction into the Army the same year. Other actors in the film include Dick Van Dyke, Maureen Stapleton, Janet Leigh, Paul Lynde and Ann-Margret. The film is credited with making Ann-Margret a superstar during the sixties leading to her appearing with Elvis Presley in "Viva Las Vegas". Songs by the cast include "What Did I Ever See In Him?, "A Lot Of Livin' To Do", "Kids" and "Baby, Talk To Me".

In 1964 "Bye Bye Birdie" won an Oscar for Best Music, Scoring of Music, Adaptation or Treatment by Johnny Green and Best Sound by Charles Rice.

Answer: Saucy Jack

Early in the film the band members relate, in an interview, that Spinal Tap was called The Originals when they were formed. They had to change to The New Originals because there was already another band with same name before settling on The Thamesmen.

As The Thamesmen the group found early fame with the skiffle tune "Gimme Some Money". "Saucy Jack" is a rock opera the band planned to write based on the life of Jack the Ripper. "This Is Spınal Tap" is directed by Rob Reiner who plays journalist Marty Dibergi.

The core members of Spinal Tap are David St. Hubbins, Derek Smalls and Nigel Tufnel. They are portrayed by Michael McKean, Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest. The three actors actually play their instruments. The film depicts several comedic incidents inspired by real life bands.

In 2001 "This is Spinal Tap" won the Video Premiere Award for Best DVD Audio Commentary.

Answer: The Dave Clark Five

"Catch Us If You Can" is the feature-film debut of director John Boorman. The movie was intended as a vehicle for The Dave Clark Five. The movie was named after their hit song "Catch Us If You Can". The Dave Clark Five do not play themselves, but play a team of stunt men led by Steve, played by Dave Clark. Clark had actually worked as a stunt man on a number of films. Guitarist Lenny Davidson is the only one of the group who doesn't have a line of dialog. Of the twelve tracks on the Epic soundtrack album only four are from the film.

They are "Having A Wild Weekend", "Catch Us If You Can", "Sweet Memories" and "On The Move". The remainder of songs used in the film are from previous albums including "Time", "Move On", "Ol' Sol", "When" and "I Can't Stand It".

Herman's Hermits acted in the feature film "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter". The Beatles' movies include "Help" and "A Hard Days Night". The Rolling Stones have not appeared collectively as actors in a feature film, although Mick Jagger starred in "Performance" in 1968 and "Ned Kelly" in 1970.

Answer: The Wonders

"That Thing You Do" is set in the summer of 1964. The movie portrays the rise of a fictional one-hit rock band from Erie, Pennsylvania called The Wonders. Initially they spell it "Oneders" but it was often mispronounced as the "oh-NEE-ders". In the movie a replacement drummer sets the stage for the band to get a record deal and eventually tour, ending up on the national television show "Hollywood Television Showcase" just before they break up.

In one scene the band appears as "Cap'n Geech and the Shrimp Shack Shooters" in a low budget beach movie.

The soundtrack album was also a hit, peaking at number 21 on the Billboard album chart. In 1997 the movie won an Oscar for Best Music, Original Song to Adam Schlesinger for "That Thing You Do!". The Newbeats are best known for their 1964 hit "Bread and Butter".

The Knickerbockers are best remembered for their 1965 hit "Lies" and the Minnesota-based Castaways' first and only hit was "Liar Liar".

Answer: Bobby Darin

Kevin Spacey produced the film with Andy Paterson and Jan Fantl and stars Darin. Spacey wanted to produce a movie about Darin and with funding from Lions Gate Entertainment and QI Quality International his vision was realized. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Spacey was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy but lost to Jamie Foxx for "Ray". Spacey actually sings several of Darin's songs in the film including "Splish Splash", "Dream Lover", "Mack the Knife" and "Beyond the Sea". "Don't Look Back" is a documentary about a sixties Bob Dylan tour. Gene Pitney sang the theme to "Town Without Pity" and "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance".

In addition to having several sixties hits Sedaka co-wrote "Where the Boys Are" for the Connie Frances movie of the same name.

Answer: Head

"Head" was written and produced by Bob Rafelson and Jack Nicholson and directed by Rafelson. The film features Victor Mature as "The Big Victor" and cameo appearances by Nicholson, Dennis Hopper, Teri Garr, Carol Doda, Annette Funicello, Frank Zappa along with athletes Sonny Liston and Ray Nitschke. Jack Nicholson compiled the soundtrack album.

The Monkees wanted to be involved in the project from start to finish. When they learned they would be denied screenwriting credit all the members except Peter Tork decided to rebel by failing to show up on the first day of shooting in February, 1968. Toni Basil is the film's choreographer. "Circle Sky", "Can You Dig It" and "As We Go Along" are all original songs from the film.

Answer: Graffiti Bridge

Prince revives his "Purple Rain" character, The Kid, in his future life as a performer and club co-owner. Although the film met with poor reception at the box-office it was accompanied by a hit soundtrack. Madonna turned down the role of the mysterious character, Aura. "Still Would Stand All Time" and "Graffiti Bridge" are songs from the movie but "Thieves in the Temple" is the only song to make an impact on the charts.

Ingrid Chavez and Morris Day co-star in the film. Other appearances include Mavis Staples, teen star Tevin Campbell and funk musician George Clinton. "Blind Fury" is a 1989 movie starring Rutger Hauer as a Vietnam Vet. "The Hot Spot" is a 1990 drama directed by Dennis Hopper and based on the book "Hell Hath No Fury" by Charles Williams. "Quick Change" is a 1990 comedy film starring Bill Murray as a clown that robs a bank.