Elvis Movies [Remastered] - Elvis Presley > Reviews > Warden threw a party at the county jail.....

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Average
Lyrics	Standard
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Not applicable
Value for Money

Advantages:	It's Elvis
Disadvantages:	Are you mad  !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Between 1956 and 1969 Elvis made a total of 31 movies and two documentary movies following him on tour.In 1970, That's the way it is, and in 1972, Elvis on Tour. Early in Elvis's career he would have like to have been taken seriously as an actor, but with manager Colonel tom Parker signing Elvis up for million dollar movie contracts stating that 'his boy was going to sing' Elvis had no choice but to go along with what his fans wanted. They wanted to hear him sing. the unscrupulous Colonel Tom Parker sensed that money was to be made and in order for him to receive his wages he persuaded Elvis to commit himself to a movie contract. The money making contract signed in 1961 made Elvis obligated to make at least one movie per year. Eventually the scripts gradually became thinner and thinner until they were almost transparent. In 1968 Elvis was tired of making those 'silly movies' and was keen to get back to what he did best, perform to a live audience. As soon as he was finally off the movie treadmill Elvis could relax and perform to live audiences once more.

Although the quality of the scripts was questionable Elvis's talent was most definitely not. As he burst into song during the course of the movies at sometimes unexpected moments, the swooning of the young actresses was most definitely not part of the acting. With bikini babes aplenty , surely the whole acting experience was not as terrible as Elvis suggested it had been. With rumours of affairs with leading ladies, Elvis took it all in his stride and made it look quite easy. By watching some of the later movies is probably was. I give you my top 5 Elvis Movies (in no particular order)

LOVE ME TENDER

Elvis's first movie made in 1956 in black and white was a tale of love and war. set during the American Civil war, Elvis plays Clint Reno the youngest of four brothers who stayed at home while his brothers went off to fight. During the last days of the war the 3 Reno brothers Vance Ray and Brett decide to hijack a Union Payroll, but news reaches home that Vance has been killed in action so Clint makes an honest woman of Vance's fiancée Cathy and marries her. Vance then returns home and finds out what has happened and decides to make a new life for himself away from the family. Then the brothers are arrested and thrown into jail for the payroll heist, they break out of jail and become fugitives. The hunt for the payroll turns everyone greedy and Clint discovers that Cathy still loves Vance, a gun shoot out follows and Clint Reno is fatally wounded.
Also starring Richard Egan and Debra Paget as Vance and Cathy Reno. The songs featured are Love me Tender, We're gonna move, Let me and poor boy.

KING CREOLE

Elvis plays Danny Fisher, a young man living in a bad part of town who has to work at night after school to support him and his family. He eventually starts work at a club and his obvious singing talent gets him noticed by the ladies. The local gangster's moll Ronnie falls for him and that's when the trouble begins. Punch ups and gunfights, even Danny's father ends up in hospital. After Danny is expelled from school he starts to work for the local gangster Maxie Fields and he eventually runs away with Ronnie after giving him a good beating. Bitter in defeat Maxie sends ' the boys' after him ending in death and tragedy for both Ronnie and Maxie. Danny however finds happiness with Nellie and continues his career singing at the King Creole. Also starring Walter Matthau as Maxie and Carolyn Jones as Ronnie, songs include King Creole, Don't ask me why, As long as I have you, New Orleans, and Trouble.

JAILHOUSE ROCK

The film begins with Elvis as Vince Everett, a guy in the wrong place at the wrong time. He ends up in a bar brawl and accidentally kills a man and is sent to jail. He shares his cell with a guy named Hunk a former country singer and they form a close bond. Some television producers arrive at the prison with the idea of hosting a TV talent show there. Vince is chosen to sing and the audience love him. Vince is unaware of his popularity and Hunk convinces him that he can help him to be a star when they are released. Vince and Hunk sign a contract in prison and the contract ensures Hunk a 50 50 split of all Vince's earnings. When Vince is released he is spotted by a talent scout named Peggy and they cut a demo. The song is poached by a big name singer so Peggy and Vince set up their own label and Vince becomes a TV singing star. When Hunk is released from prison he is eager for his 50 50 cut but Vince's TV bosses will not honour the contract made in prison and Hunk has to settle for a 10% cut. Hunk gets drunk one night and picks a fight with Vince he punches him hard in the throat and doctors have to operate there is a chance that he could never sing again ! Vince does recover and he and Peggy become a couple. Also starring Judy Tyler as Peggy and Mickey Shaughnessy as Hunk. Songs include Jailhouse Rock, Young and Beautiful, Don't leave me now, treat me nice, and Baby I don't care.

ELVIS: THAT'S THE WAY IT IS

This movie is more of a documentary following Elvis around as he prepares for his 1970 Las Vegas Tour. The movie captures Elvis's personality as he chats with his band members and messes up the words as he rehearses. The rehearsals begin at the MGM studios in Las Vegas and the performances are staged at the International hotel in Las Vegas. These performances show Elvis looking at his very best and they herald the start of the infamous white jumpsuits. Elvis performs many of his classic songs that include, I just can't help believin', Mary in the morning, suspicious minds,I've lost you and ,Love me tender. Elvis's background vocalists are The Sweet Inspirations and the Imperials and the musicians featured are James Burton, Glen Hardin, Ronnie Tutt, Charlie Hodge, Jerry Scheff and John Wilkinson.

VIVA LAS VEGAS

Elvis stars as Lucky Jackson a racing car driver who likes the odd flutter. He manages to reach Las Vegas by winning bets so he can enter his car in the big race there. Whilst at the garage in Las Vegas a beautiful woman appears to have car trouble, Lucky tries to find out her name but her car is repaired quickly and she drives off before he can find out who she is. He assumes that she is a showgirl and he and his friend spend the night searching all the Las Vegas hotels for her. They don't find her so they check into a hotel. The following morning he spots her, she is the swimming instructor in the same hotel they are staying in and her name is Rusty Martin. All Lucky's winnings that he intended to spend on the car's engine so he can win the race are spent on the hotel bill so he can spend time with Rusty and eventually the money runs out so Lucky and his friend become waiters in the hotel to pay off their bill. As Lucky is now an employee he is eligible to enter the staff talent show with big prizes. He off course wins first prize with his wonderful singing voice and Rusty is runner up but instead of winning a cash prize he wins a honeymoon holiday. As luck would have it money turns up to pay for an engine and Lucky wins the race. He then heads off for a honeymoon holiday with Rusty ! Ann-Margaret co stars as Rusty Martin. Songs include, Viva Las Vegas, The Lady loves me, What'd I say, Today Tomorrow and Forever, and the yellow rose of Texas.

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THE MOVIES ----------------------

Love Me Tender (1956)
Loving You (1957)
Jailhouse Rock (1957)
King Creole (1958)
G.I Blues (1960)
Flaming Star (1960
Wild In the Country (1961)
Blue Hawaii (1961)
Follow That Dream (1962)
Kid Galahad (1962)
Girls ! Girls ! Girls ! (1962)
It Happened At The World's Fair (1963)
Fun In Acapulco (1963)
Kissin' Cousins (1964)
Viva Las Vegas (1964)
Roustabout (1964)
Girl happy (1965)
Tickle Me (1965)
Harum Scarum (1965)
Frankie and Johnnie (1966)
Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966)
Spinout (1966)
Easy come, Easy Go (1967)
Double Trouble (1967)
Clambake (1967)
Stay Away Joe (1968)
Speedway (1968)
Live a Little, Love a Little (1968)
Charro ! (1968)
The Trouble with Girls (1969)
Change of Habit (1969)

I did intend to have a Top 10 but I would have been typing away all night. if Elvis isn't your thing then at least try one movie, you may just be pleasantly surprised !