A 1957 production brought back to life on DVD, this is touted in the theatre trailer as Elvis’ first “big singing dramatic role”, no doubt helped along by HAVING Col Tom Parker as a Technical Adviser.
Widescreen Capability: Yes
Sound: What you hear is what you get as there are no real options.
The Stars
Elvis Presley (of course), Judy Tyler, Mickey Shaughnessy, Vaughan Taylor, Jennifer Holden, Dean Jones and Anne Neyland.
Synopsis
Elvis plays Vince Everitt, a hot-headed small town construction worker who gets into a fight over a woman in a bar and gives the other guy one punch too many and kills him. He ends up in court and is convicted of manslaughter, getting 1 to 10 in the State Penitentiary for his trouble. But fortunately he ends up put in a cell with a former Country & Western singer (Mickey Shaughnessy) who plays music to the other inmates to soothe their nerves.
Elvis has a go at singing too but isn’t that good (?) and Mickey is just the guy to help him, a theme that continues throughout the movie. He tries to get Elvis out of the hard yakka of shovelling coal but fails so there are scenes of a shirtless Elvis to please some viewers. Luckily, Elvis gets the chance to song on a SHOW televised from in the jail and he wows the world but everyone keeps it a secret until he gets out.
When he gets released Elvis tries out at a bar owned by a mate of Mickey’s but only manages to get himself acquainted with Judy Tyler who happens to know a little about the recording business. You may not believe it but Elvis finds his niche in life and becomes an overnight sensation despite the efforts of some of the shady people who populate the music industry. He eventually becomes a star and heads out to Hollywood to make films. This is one film where film likes to emulate life.
The major concept of the movie is the way that Elvis’ character is more interested in money and fame than the friends he has around him. He gets progressively worse towards each of the people who care for him during the movie but sensibly works things out right at the end. He manages to sing about ten times and introduces six new songs (according to the trailer) during the film. You may know some of them - Treat Me Nice, Jailhouse Rock and You’re So Square to mention a few.
Summary
The movie was obviously made originally to cash in on Elvis’ growing popularity. The storyline is pretty weak and the acting is not the best. But the concept of providing some sort of story to allow Elvis to sing and win the leading lady managed to spawn a lengthy film career for The King - this is just one example. The DVD is further evidence that he has generated more money since he died than when he was alive - clever marketing from his estate managers, including Priscilla, has seen to that. Now if only he could act as well as he could sing, wouldn’t that have been some combination!
Plot
The usual Elvis film of the 50’s fare.
Extras
There are three languages and 28 scenes to choose from as well as the theatre trailer to pad it out
Overall
Not the best Elvis offering of all time, but maybe one for the real fans. Although I think the man could really sing.