The Big Beat (1958) DVD-R

Starring William Reynolds, Andra Martin, Gogi Grant, Jeffrey Stone, Rose Marie, Hans
Conried, Bill Goodwin, Fats Domino, Harry James
Directed by Will Cowan

Print: color
Runtime: 81 min.
Genre: musical
Print Quality: B

Shipped out on a double bill with Summer Love, Universal's The Big Beat is another of those
"rock & roll salads" so popular in the late 1950s. What plot there is concerns the efforts by
record executive John Randall (William Reynolds) to sign up several top R&R acts. John
also wants to prove his mettle to his old-fashioned exec father Joseph (Bill Goodwin),
whose tastes are strictly squaresville. Aiding and abetting Randall is his faithful secretary
Nikki (Andrea Martin), who of course worships the shag rug her boss walks on. Comic relief
is provided by the one-time-only teaming of Rose Marie and Hans Conried. (This alone is
worth the admission price!) The musical highlights in The Big Beat are provided by such
luminaries as Gogi Grant, Fats Domino ("I'm Walking"), and the Diamonds.