It’s no secret that the Hollywood Comet loves musicals.
In 2010, I revealed I had seen 400 movie musicals over the course of eight years. Now that number is over 600. To celebrate and share this musical love, here is my weekly feature about musicals.

This week’s musical:
Juke Box Rhythm (1959) – Musical #360

Studio:
Columbia Pictures

Director:
Arthur Dreifuss

Starring:
Jo Marrow, Jack Jones, Frieda Inescort, Brian Donlevy, Marjorie Reynods, Hans Conried, Karin Booth, Fritz Feld, Edgar Barrier, Robert Banas (uncredited)
As themselves: George Jessel, Earl Grant Trio, The Nitwits, Johnny Otis, The Treniers, Wally Stewart

Plot:
Princess Ann (Morrrow) travels from Europe to buy her coronation wardrobe in New York City. Her proper aunt, Countess Margaret (Inescort), disapproves of the trip and rock and roll music. When Ann sneaks out to listen to rock music in the hotel, she briefly dances with Riff Manton (Jones) and they are photographed. Riff’s dad, George Manton (Donlevy), is trying to put on a show, but with no funds. Riff’s father and mother (Reynolds) are having marital issues and Riff is worried is dad will go to another wealthy woman (Booth) for money. As a way to bring them together, Riff woos Princess Ann with hopes that he can make money for his parents.

Trivia:
• While he appeared on several television shows and in soundtracks, this was Jack Jones’s first feature film. He wouldn’t appear in another feature film until 1970.
• First credited film role of Jo Morrow.
• Released in a double bill with “The Tingler” (1959).
• Working title was “Juke Box Jamboree.”
• Bill Haley and the Comets were initially announced as appearing in the film, but they didn’t perform or appear in the final production.

Highlights:
• The fashion shows as the princess shops
• The dancing

Notable Songs:
• “I Feel It Right Here” performed by the Earl Grant Trio
• “Freeze” performed by Jack Jones
• “Make Room for the Joy” performed by Jack Jones
• “Let’s Fall in Love” performed by Jo Morrow
• “Willie’s Hand Jive” performed by the Johnny Otis Band
• “Last Night” performed by Earl Grant Trio
• “Get Out of My Car” performed by The Treniers

My review:
In the 1950s, several teenage-themed rock n’ roll films were released to capitalize on the new music trend, from “Rock, Rock, Rock” to “Don’t Knock Rock.” The is light on plot and heavy on multiple musical acts throughout the film. While this week’s Musical Monday, “Juke Box Rhythm” fits in to this group, is also “Juke Box Rhythm” stands a little above these films for several reasons.

For starters, the plot is a bit more substantial than these other films: Jo Morrow plays Princess Ann, traveling from Europe to shop in New York City for her coronation. She’s accompanied by her proper aunt, Countess Margaret (Frieda Inescort), who disapproves of the trip, the United States and rock n’ roll music. When Ann ventures out on her own, she comes across a night club playing rock n’ roll and dances with singer Riff Manton (Jack Jones). When they are photographed together, an up-and-coming dressmaker, Balenko (Han Conreid), reaches out to Riff to see if he’ll help steer Princess Ann to his shop, and will let Riff have a portion of the profit from the sale. Riff takes Balenko up on his offer, because he also needs money to help his family. Riff’s parents (Marjorie Reynolds, Brian Donlevy) are separated, and his dad is trying to finance a Broadway show. Riff wants to help finance the show so that his dad will stay away from wealthy, Leslie Anders (Karin Booth).

And secondly, the film is filled with old Hollywood veterans, like Frieda Inescort, Brian Donlevy, Marjorie Reynolds and Karin Booth — what a thrill it was to see them all in this film!

Prior to “Juke Box Rhythm,” the only film I knew Jo Morrow from was “Gidget” (1959), where she plays one of Gidget’s friends at the beginning of the film on a “man hunt.” It was interesting to see Morrow in a lead role, and this was her first credited film role.

In addition, I previously only knew Jack Jones as the singer of “The Love Boat” theme song, so it was fun to see him in his first feature film in this role. Incidentally, this was Jones’s first and only feature film role until 1970. He has a great singing voice in this film and gets the opportunity to sing several songs.

In addition, the other musical performances that play throughout the film are excellent. I loved seeing the Earl Grant Trio and The Treniers. The Treniers’s performance of “Get Out of My Car” is so much fun, and we get to hear “The Hand Jive” performed by Johnny Otis Band.

Overall, this film is so much fun. The opening credits with dancers and music are so much fun and the songs are great. The only downside is the appearance of George Jessel, who seems to bring the film to a grinding hault.

The real treat of the film are the performances from Inescort, Reynolds and Donlevy. But overall, this was just a joy to watch. You are certain to be tapping your toes to the music.

Check out the Comet Over Hollywood Facebook page, follow on Twitter at @HollywoodComet, follow on Instagram or e-mail at cometoverhollywood@gmail.com