Sweet Beat


Sweet Beat is a 1959 British 'B' black-and-white musical film directed by Ronnie Albert and starring Julie Amber, Sheldon Lawrence and Irv Bauer. The screenplay was by Ron Ahran based on a story by Sheldon Stark. It includes appearances by several American pop acts including The Melo-Kings and The Five Satins.

Plot

Bonnie Martyn, winner of a holiday camp beauty contest, heads to London seeking fame as a singer. She is promised a record deal, and is tricked into going to New York. She is eventually reunited with her boyfriend Bill Lacey.

Cast

Filming locations included Butlin's holiday camps at Clacton-on-Sea and Cliftonville, and London's The Stork Room, run by Al Burnett.

Soundtrack

The film featured the following songs:
  • "Thanks"
  • "Just for the Asking"
  • "Recently"
  • "Careless Caresses"
  • "The Joker"
  • "How Do You Mend a Broken Heart?"
  • "Boppin' at the Hop"
  • "Sweet Beat"
  • "Luva Luva Love Me"
  • "Tonite Tonite"
  • "I Remember "
In 1959 a 7-inch double A/B side EP was released in the UK with "Tonite Tonite", "I Remember", "Boppin' at the Hop" and "Luva Luva Love Me".

Critical reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "A mild and artless warning to the stage struck, relying on striptease, "pop" numbers and holiday camp and night club backgrounds for its teen-age appeal. Direction and performance are very uneven."
In British Sound Films: The Studio Years 1928–1959 David Quinlan rated the film as "poor", writing: "Bottom-budget pop musical/moral warning has that home-made look."

Home media

The film was released on DVD in 2009 by Pegasus Entertainment.