Customer Reviews

Go Johnny Go [VHS]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Released in 1959, GO, JOHNNY, GO! is a musical time capsule. While the acting and plot leave something to be desired, the film is still worth checking out for it's performances of the artists featured. The film stars the legendary ALAN FREED who's looking for his next big act. JIMMY CLANTON co-stars as the act FREED is trying to find. Jimmy sings several songs as does CHUCK BERRY, who makes his acting debut in the film. Intercut throughout the film are musical performances by some of rock n' rolls biggest hitmakers at the time. While this was the standard practise for these films (eg. Rock Around The Clock, Don't Knock The Rock, Rock! Rock! Rock!, Mr. Rock And Roll)(having artists lip synche their latest recording)these films are often the only footage in existance, of these artists in their prime. GO, JOHNNY, GO! features several memorable performances. JIMMY CLANTON, SANDY STEWART, JO ANN CAMPBELL, THE CADILLACS, and THE FLAMINGOS all give memorable performances but the standout performances by the other legendary stars makes this film unique. CHUCK BERRY not only acts in the film but performs his classic "Memphis Tennessee". EDDIE COCHRAN is seen in one his few performance clips. RITCHIE VALENS is seen performing "Ooh My Head" in what was his only movie performance. Within a few months time Valens would be killed in a plane crash along with BUDDY HOLLY and JP "THE BIG BOPPER" RICHARDSON. Also appearing was the talented HARVEY FUQUA of THE MOONGLOWS performing "Don't Be Afraid To Love". By the time of this film the original Moonglows had dibanded and Harvey would start recording with his "New" Moonglows group which included young MARVIN GAYE. Harvey gives an exciting performance in the film. He seems to glide across the floor not much unlike Mr. Excitement, JACKIE WILSON, who performs his self penned #1 R&B hit "You Better Know It". Wilson gives a performance that only gives us a glimpse at how great a performer he was. Unfortunately Jackie would only appear in one other film during his career, 1961's TEENAGE MILLIONARE. Which also starred JIMMY CLANTON. So do see the film not for the plot but for these rare performances.

GO JOHNNY GO WAS A GREAT ROCK AND ROLL MOVIE IN THAT YEAR CHUCK BERRY WAS A GOOD SINGER BUT RITCHIE VALENS GAVE A GREAT PERFORMENCE IN THE LAST MINUTES OF THE THE MOVIE.SADDLY RITCHIE VALENS PARISHED IN A PLANE CRASHED FEB 03 1959 HE WAS ONLY 17 YEARS OLD. DESTINY WAS WAITING FOR HIM!!!

Seen this music a long time ago, in the 60's when I lived in Surinam. Absolutely great music of the 50's by hot shot artists. A few names...Ritchie Valens, Jackie Wilson & Chuck Berry. Main actor/singer is Jimmy Clanton with songs that thrill me till this very day. Hopefully this movie will be released again soon! Shaneeca - Amsterdam - THe Nehterlands

ooh my head!

I saw this movie and I was born after these stars made their fame, but if you ever want to get a feel for the time and how the 50's rock and roll music impacted the country, buy this movie. It was a great thing to see Ritchie Valens but also sad that he was called home at such a young age. Chuck Berry was great and the songs are just awesome.

I saw this movie approximately 40 years ago and I'm very disappointed, that's not available anymore. Please do advise what might be done to obtain a copy. Thank you in advanvce and best regards.

What a wonderful and entertaining entry level Rock & Roll flick. A plethora of early pioneers. Some legends.....some long forgotton. However it's for the presence of these true legends that make this movie a must see. The first real meat you are hit with (after the pleasantries of Jimmy Clanton, Alan Freed, and Chuck Berry) is an absolutely rousing review number by The Flamingos. It is clearly one of the show stopping moments in the movie. Then subsequent spine tingling numbers by Eddie Cochran, Richie Valens, and Jackie Wilson and holy cow.....what a barn burner this one is. It even has a convoluted plot that almost passes for a story with Alan Freed playing Mr. Nice guy. So why only 4 stars? Because if you really want to see a 5 star fifties R & R flick then these two are the supreme must see's. Rock Around The Clock. Line for line and frame for frame the best R & R fifties flick of all time. Then a close second is The Girl Can't Help It. Besides having the brilliant Tom Ewell and Edmond O'Brien there are 2 very big reasons to see this movie.....Jane Mansfield! OMG.....I don't think I'll ever recover from that woman. Seriously.....these two flicks are the best ever. Get them as soon as humanly possible!

Ritchie has a ten-minute spot at the end where he sings "Ooh! My Head" and plays his guitar for a group of girls at a concert.

The yellow-covered VIDEO TREASURES tape pictured above was one of the first I purchased 25 years ago. I watched it again today after decades of idleness and the darn thing played GREAT!

Recorded in LP mode prior to the advent of HiFi audio, both the picture and sound on this VHS are exceptionally good for its day. Design may be a factor in why these VT tapes track so well: both reels have extra-large center spindles, fully two times normal size, and that may be the secret of their success (no engineer here!).

SYNOPSIS--
Orphan boy (Clanton) striving for his R&R break is just an excuse for many fine performances (and a few schlocky ones). Berry does three of his hits, the Cadillacs sound like the Coasters, 17-year-old Valens is outstanding in his only film, as is Wilson. As for legendary DJ Alan Freed, we all owe a great deal to this crusading integrator and champion of rock & roll. This one's a must-see for fans of 1950s pop, r&b and rock music. Cameo: MCHALE'S NAVY's Joe Flynn (Capt. Binghamton) as a grumpy head usher.


As of 2/10, GO, JOHNNY, GO! was not available on Region 1 DVD.


Parenthetical number preceding title is a 1 to 10 imdb viewer poll rating.

(5.6) Go, Johnny, Go! (1959) - Alan Freed/Chuck Berry/Jimmy Clanton/Sandy Stewart/Jackie Wilson/Ritchie Valens/Eddie Cochran/the Cadillacs/the Flamingos/Jo-Ann Campbell/Harvey Fuqua (uncredited: Joe Flynn)

The real calue of GJG is, of course, the music. It's always interesting to see the Flamingos, Cadillacs, Eddie Cochran, jackie wilson, Harvey Fuqua and even Jimmy Clanton performing in their prime. Also the fact that this was Valens' only film appearance can't be overlooked. As a movie, it's watchable, but maybe only once. Freed, Clanton, Stewart and Berry were definitely not actors, and it shows to the nth degree here. In fact. there's not much acting in the film at all. And while it's cool to see the entertainers, virtually none of them -- maybe Clanton -- are doing the numbers that were the mega-hits for them. The only exception is Berry, and for some reason, his performances, all 2 of them, seem kind of lackluster, in particular Memphis. Still, it's a true time capsule on film. One interesting trivia note: Joe Flynn from McHale's Navy makes a quick appearance. And, naturally, not available on DVD at this writing.