Carnival Rock (USA, 1957) 75 min B&W DIR-PROD: Roger Corman. SCR: Leo Lieberman. MUSIC: Walter Greene, Buck Ram. DOP: Floyd Crosby. CAST: Susan Cabot, Brian G. Hutton, David J. Stewart, Dick Miller, Iris Adrian, Jonathan Haze, Ed Nelson, Bruno VeSota, The Platters, David Houston, Bob Luman and The Shadows, The Blockbusters. (Howco International Pictures)
The title is a misnomer, because this movie is an old-fashioned soap opera set in a circus. What rock music there is (several songs by Bob Luman and The Shadows, The Platters with “Remember When”, David Houston, and The Blockbusters doing the title song), is peripheral to the plot. Mr. Cristakos (or Cristy, for short), played by David Stewart, is a carnival owner who is in deep with his creditors. The business is failing largely due to his stubbornness at not adapting to the times, and his failing faculties over his pathetic devotion to singer Natalie (Susan Cabot, who does her own singing).
Natalie of course does not reciprocate his love, instead preferring the affections of Stanley (Brian G. Hutton, who later became a director), who at least can give her some promising future. Iris Adrian is a loud-mouthed former showgirl with an axe to grind, after being replaced by Natalie. “You got your eyes open for every pair of pants that walks by.”
Yet, Natalie’s actions are not negligible. This film is at least interesting for there really isn’t a truly evil character. Although Stanley is conniving in getting Christy to participate in a dice game in which the carnival in is the pot (a suspenseful scene with lots of cutting), one is relieved for that. Before long, this flea-bitten place is hopping again, with (gasp!) rock and roll music to bring the crowds in. Even so, this love triangle persists, as Cristy takes the demeaning role of a circus clown, still to be close to Natalie. Dick Miller is Cristy’s sidekick Benny, who at first manages to keep the creditors at bay. Then under new ownership, he strives to retain his former boss’ dignity.
This Howco release is a minor, but sincere rendition of Trapeze, or Carnival Story. The cast gamely acts like they’re in a bigger, better movie. The music is pretty good, but the most memorable theme actually comes from Susan Cabot, whose maudlin ballad “There’s No Place” perfectly captures the overwrought melodrama.
Carnival Rock was once featured on VHS courtesy of Canada’s own Admit One Video, and Rhino’s awesome Teenage Theater collection. It is also available on DVD in a great collection, Rock ’n’ Roll Drive-In from Gladiator Films, which includes Go, Johnny, Go! and Hillbillys in a Haunted House!
Originally published in The Roger Corman Scrapbook, 2006.