Rock-n-roll promoter Alan Freed holds a talent search to develop a new rock star, then must find the elusive, mystery contestant (Jimmy Clanton) who doesn't know he has won.Rock-n-roll promoter Alan Freed holds a talent search to develop a new rock star, then must find the elusive, mystery contestant (Jimmy Clanton) who doesn't know he has won.Rock-n-roll promoter Alan Freed holds a talent search to develop a new rock star, then must find the elusive, mystery contestant (Jimmy Clanton) who doesn't know he has won.
Jo Ann Campbell
- Jo-Ann Campbell
- (as Jo-Ann Campbell)
Harvey Fuqua
- Harvey Fugua
- (as Harvey)
Jimmy Cavallo
- Jimmy Cavallo
- (as Jimmy Cavalio and the House Rockers)
Barbara Wooddell
- Mrs. Harold Arnold
- (as Barbara Woodell)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThis was Ritchie Valens's only screen appearance. Tragically, four months before the film was released, he died in a plane crash that also claimed the lives of fellow rockers Buddy Holly and J. P. Richardson (a.k.a. "The Big Bopper"), and pilot Roger Peterson. "Ooh, My Head", the song Valens sings in this film, was later adapted by Led Zeppelin for their song "Boogie with Stu".
- GoofsA couple of dozen teenagers are outside Freed's studio booth listening to him play Johnny's record. But Chuck Berry, one of the biggest R&R stars at the time, is also standing there--and they're completely ignoring him.
- Quotes
The Flamingos: [singing] When the joint starts jumpin' its almost the break of day...
- ConnectionsFeatured in Super Night of Rock 'n' Roll (1984)
- SoundtracksMY LOVE IS STRONG
Written by Jimmy Clanton (uncredited), Earl King (uncredited) and Cosimo Matassa (uncredited)
Performed by Jimmy Clanton
Courtesy of Ace Records
Featured review
Go, Johnny, Go! is the second of the Chuck Berry movie appearances I'm reviewing after his recent passing
Having previously appeared in Rock Rock Rock! and Mister Rock and Roll, this was the third-and final-appearance of rocker Chuck Berry in a movie that also starred DJ Alan Freed. He and Freed actually act together in this one as they try to get singer Johnny Melody (Jimmy Clanton) on his way to stardom. Now that I just got much of the plot out of the way, I'll just say that it was quite a pleasure seeing Berry performing his hits "Memphis, Tennessee" and "Little Queenie" here. Also loved Jackie Wilson being showcased among the other performances. The movie itself was quite compelling dramatically but I'm glad things get resolved quickly so it doesn't drag. Unfortunately, after this both Freed and Berry would be involved in scandals-Freed in payola and Berry in a sex charge involving a minor with the result of Freed drinking himself to death and Berry serving a few years in jail before making a comeback several years later. This would also become the only appearance of Ritchie Valens before his untimely passing in a plane crash that also took the lives of The Big Bopper and Buddy Holly. He was good, too! On a lighter note, since I always like to cite when players from my favorite movie-It's a Wonderful Life-are in something else, here, it's Dick Elliot-who was that man who told Jimmy Stewart to kiss Donna Reed instead of talking to her to death-who's impatient about going into the phone booth after Clanton and his girlfriend keep hogging the phone! It was hilarious! It was also his last film appearance though he continued to appear on TV before his death in 1961. Anyway, I highly recommend Go, Johnny, Go! to any Chuck Berry fans out there. P.S. Jimmy Clanton is a native of my current hometown of Baton Rouge, LA.
helpful•40
- tavm
- Mar 20, 2017
Details
- Runtime1 hour 15 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content