The Elvis Movies
Abstract
Elvis Presley’s stature as the “King of Rock and Roll” will never be challenged. Between his first RCA hit single in 1956—the number-one smash “Heartbreak Hotel”—and his death in 1977, Elvis amassed more than 100 hits on the music charts. Presley’s dominance on the music chart was paralleled only by the singer’s motion picture career. Between 1956 and 1969, Elvis appeared in more than thirty films, further cementing his place as one of the most popular entertainers of the twentieth century. While there have been countless books that explore the real Elvis tucked beneath layers of showbiz mythology, such volumes often dismiss his motion picture career as insignificant or overlook his onscreen work entirely.
In The Elvis Movies, James L. Neibaur looks at the thirty-one features that Presley made, from Love Me Tender in 1956 to Change of Habit in 1969. Most of these were star vehicles tailor-made for his image. As Neibaur points out, Elvis had a real interest in being a good actor, but his initial promise was soon thwarted by anti-creative decisions that sold a packaged version of the singer. Despite lapsing into a predictable formula of lightweight musicals, Elvis Presley’s star power ensured that the films became box office successes. Neibaur examines each film, providing information about their production and offering assessments about their value in general, as well as their place in the Presley canon. Additional details include behind-the-scenes personnel, costars, DVD availability, and featured hit songs.
An entertaining and informative look at an often underrated aspect of the singer’s career, The Elvis Movies offers readers insight into his films. This volume will be a welcome resource to fans of the singer who want to know more about the King and his successful ventures on the big screen.
- i–xiv Preface i–xiv
- 100–108 CHAPTER 12: Kid Galahad 100–108
- 152–161 CHAPTER 18: Roustabout 152–161
- 162–170 CHAPTER 19: Girl Happy 162–170
- 171–179 CHAPTER 20: Tickle Me 171–179
- 180–185 CHAPTER 21: Harum Scarum 180–185
- 199–205 CHAPTER 24: Spinout 199–205
- 216–221 CHAPTER 27: Clambake 216–221
- 227–233 CHAPTER 29: Speedway 227–233
- 242–246 CHAPTER 32: Charro! 242–246
- 265–268 Notes 265–268
- 269–270 Bibliography 269–270
- 271–280 Index 271–280
- 281–282 About the Author 281–282