Play It Cool! (1962)

Socialite Ann Bryant (Anna Palk) goes on a whirlwind tour of London’s nightclubs with Billy Universe (bequiffed British rock & roller Billy Fury) and his rock & roll band The Satellites, who attempt to reunite her with Larry Granger (Maurice Kaufmann), another pop singer who her father, Sir Charles (Dennis Price) has sent packing.

However, once the pair are brought together, Billy realises that Ann’s father was right and tries to intercept the couple’s elopement.

This pre-Beatles pop musical provided British teens with a precious glimpse of that happenin’ new dance craze, The Twist.

In a Soho nightclub, packed with teenagers, Billy takes the stage and launches into a blistering performance of a new number called Twist Kid. “I’m doin’ the twist,  all o’ the day,” he growls, with a moody curl of the lip, “ready to go, so get out of my way!” The kids go wild and furious twisting ensues.

There are guest appearances by Helen Shapiro, Bobby Vee, Danny Williams, Shane Fenton (the future Alvin Stardust) and The Fentones, Jimmy Crawford and Lionel Blair and his Dancers.

Cast as members of The Satellites are Michael Anderson Jr and Keith Hamshere. There are brief cameos from Richard Wattis, Jeremy Lloyd and Bernie Winters.

Director Michael Winner made his A-film debut with this film.

Billy Universe
Billy Fury
Alvin
Michael Anderson Jr
Sir Charles Bryant
Dennis Price
Helen Shapiro
Herself
Bobby Vee
Himself
Ann Bryant
Anna Palk
Ring-a-Ding
Keith Hamshere
Freddy
Ray Brooks
Joey
Jeremy Bulloch
Larry Grainger
Maurice Kaufmann
Skinner
Peter Barkworth
Yvonne Pemberton
Felicity Young
Shane Fenton and the Fentones
Themselves
Jimmy Crawford
Himself
Lionel Blair
Himself
Briggs
Douglas Muir
Horace
Monte Landis
Robin
Jeremy Lloyd
Sydney Norman
Bernie Winters
Nervous Man
Richard Wattis

Director
Michael Winner

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