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Jive Turkey (Needs a New Pair of Shoes)
In 1950s Harlem a vicious Italian gangster (Frank deKova) tries to muscle in on a black racketeer's (Paul Harris) numbers game.
Bill Brame
Casts & Crew
Frank De Kova
Paul Harris
Frances E. Williams
Reginald Farme
Don Edmondson
Larry Greene
Ernie Lee Banks
Karmello Brooks
Henry G. Sanders
Pat Edwards
Terry Ransom
Curtis Price
Onezene 'Ben' Geyen
Ronald Ransom
Cal Wilson
Also Directed by Bill Brame
In her debut and only starring vehicle, Philomena plays the title role, Miss Melody Jones. She's an actress with (clearly) a lot of talent, but she's maybe a bit naive. After some bumps on the road to stardom, she meets college boy Tim, who casts her as the lead in his student film. But Melody's desire for instant fame clashes with Tim's unwillingness to sell out and make biker flicks.
Here's an "Easy Rider" - inspired plot with the combination of "West Side Story" stars. Richard Beymer falls in love with Lana Wood (sister Natalie wasn't available). They need cash so they agree to help Russ Tamblyn and his gang smuggle grass from Mexico to L.A. on motorcycles. When Beymer objects to narcotics agents being killed, his long-haired pal from the Jets puts LSD in his drink, tries to burn him alive, and has Lana kidnapped. No musical numbers, however. With Bing's son Lindsay Crosby, Joel's son Jody McCrea and deejay Casey Kasem. Directed by Bill Brame ("The Cycle Savages").
The leader of a biker gang takes exception to an artist sketching them, so he makes plans to crush the artist's hands.