Hey, Let's Twist! (1961)

I can think of four good reasons to watch this film.First, its an amazing time capsule of the 1960-61 period, showing the dance the Twist and the Peppermint Lounge which was famous for a short time back then. Second, there is a rather nice and sweet story here with some very pleasant characters. One can see it as a forerunner of and precursor of "Saturday Night Fever" Kay Armen and Dino De Luca as an Italian couple are wonderful character actors here. Third, the movie has the fantastic actress Zohra Lampert in a solid part. She plays Sharon who seduces Rickie Dee away from his family when he starts to become successful and introduces the young rock and rollers to a more sophisticated world of wealth. Fourth, there is an amazing four minute musical sequence of Joey Dee singing "Shout" near the end of the movie. The montage features lots of shots of women shaking their breasts and derrieres. While these types of high energy musical montages became standard in the Beach Party Movies made mainly by American International from 1962-1967, I don't think any were any better.I was only a young eight year child growing up in New York City when this movie was made. This movie brought back lots of memories.

Another film trying to capitalize quickly on the twist craze. This time it is Joey Dee and his 'Peppermint Twist' in the spotlight. An unimaginative little movie about two brothers turning their father's Italian Garden eating establishment into a money making dance club, the Peppermint Lounge. Of course the brothers have created an adaption to the twist, called the Peppermint Twist. Lip syncing is very bad. The script was probably rehearsed once or twice. But the close ups of twisting hips in tight capri pants makes up for all the short comings.Singers Joey Dee and Teddy Randazzo share the lead. Zorba Lampert is the cute 'bad' girl. Also in the cast are Jo-Ann Campbell and Kay Armen.Black & white tail shaker gives a glimpse at the culture of the early 60s.

Mediocre B movie capitalizing on the twist phase of the early 60's. Italian widower works day and night in a failing restaurant business putting his two boys Enrico and Rosario (Joey and Ricky) through `college in the east'. The boys come home for Christmas break with music on their minds, not wishing to return to school; they would rather be in pursuit of rock and roll. They tell dad who then passes out due to overwork; during his convalescence his boys turn the restaurant into the wildly successful `Peppermint Lounge'. Minor subplots are added in between songs. A big happy ending - they compromise by Ricky's return to school, Joey staying behind to play the twist at the Lounge and of course the boy gets the girl. As corny as this movie gets it's a gentle reminder about when music movies had some ethics and family values.

Another rock n roll/quasi-dramatic picture from the 60's, this film features that one hit wonder "Peppermint Twist," by Joey Dee. The film is USA network material, centering on a good o' Lounge Club in the city, where musicians are situated with bad acting roles and free booze. The film's highlight is seeing a young Joe Pesci as a stand-in guitarist for the Starliters. I understand Pesci had an ear for music before acting; this film would lead him to the latter.