My Top Five Favorite Elvis Films

I confess I am an Elvis Aaron Presley fan. He was and still is the "King of Rock & Roll. He is a legend who was taken away from this Earth too soon on August 16, 1977. He left us a great collection of his music as well as films. The films are cheesy, and politically incorrect by today standards. However, some of Elvis's films were actually well written, well acted by Elvis, with great plots and music. Elvis Presley made 31 films in his career and I have collected 5 of my most favorites in this article.

5. FRANKIE & JOHNNY-1966- UNITED ARTISTS STUDIOS. This is the twentieth Elvis movie. Premiered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in March 31, 1966. His co-stars were Donna Douglas, Sue Ane Langdon, and Nancy Kovack. This film was a change of pace for Elvis. Elvis stars as Johnny, a riverboat gambler, who's hard luck changes when he meets dancer Nelly Bly played by (Nancy Kovack). Johnny (Elvis), Frankie played by (Donna Douglas),and Nelly Bly re-enact the "Frankie and Johnny" song on stage. Johnny's interest in Nelly Bly increases during the performances and Frankie becomes jealous. One night, someone loads Johnny's prop gun with real bullets and he is shot during a performance. Johnny is luckily saved by the lucky charm he wore around his neck. Elvis finds girl, loves girl, girl is jealous of other girl, Elvis loses girl, and gets girl back. The movie is entertaining, and fun. The soundtrack is good. My favorite song is the main song "Frankie & Johnny." My second is when Elvis sings gospel with "Down my riverside/When the saints come marchingin." You should try this one whenever it plays on TCM (Turner Classics Movies).

"Frankie and Johnny" is a light-hearted musical based on the old folk song "Frankie & Johnny." The original song "Frankie & Johnny" concerns two lovers whose love goes away when redheaded Nellie Bly steals Johnny from Frankie. Frankie gets revenge by shooting Johnny. The movie shows the lighter side of the fatal attraction by filling in the blanks and giving it a more upbeat ending to the tale.

Remaining cast: Donna Douglas, Harry Morgan, Sue Ann Langdon, Nancy Kovack, Audrey Christie, Robert Strauss, Producer: Edward Small, Director: Fredrick De Cova, Screenplay: Alex Gottlieb, Story: Nat Peerin, Director of Photography: W.Wallace Kelley.

4 VIVA LAS VEGAS-1964. Made in MGM STUDIOS. This is Elvis's fifteenth film and his second best musical comedy. Ann-Margaret joins him as his female equal in looks, talent and acting. Anne-Margaret plays Rusty Martin to Elvis's Lucky Jackson. He is a racecar driver in town in need of a new engine as well as to enter the Vegas Grand Prix. He meets gorgeous red-haired Rusty Martin (Ann-Margaret) who arrives at the garage complaining about a rattle in her engine. Lucky Jackson (Elvis) is immediately in love however, forgets to Rusty for her name and address before she leaves. Lucky assumes Rusty is a Vegas showgirl and races his rival Count Emilo Mancini in the search for Rusty. Lucky returns to the hotel unsuccessful, only to find Rusty teaching kids how to swim at the hotel pool. Rusty resists at first only to succumb to Lucky later and they have a romance. Lucky sings, Rusty sings, they argue, Lucky races, Lucky wins, Lucky and Rusty are in love once again.
This film is chewing gum with all the flavor and color, and with no nutritional value. It is all flash and glitter with comic book names. And I love it! All the songs on the soundtracks are great fun. I have seen the film maybe a hundred times. Ann-Margaret and Elvis burn up the screen with their smoldering sexual chemistry. I have never seen this much chemistry with another leading lady in any of his other films. Cinematographer, Joseph F. Biroc, brings out the beauty of Las Vegas with all its gauche, beauty and splendor. You should watch it in HD, (High Fidelity) to get the whole effect.

Producer: Jack Cummings, George Sidney. Director: George Sydney, Director of Photography: Joseph Biroc. Remaining Cast: Cesare Danova, William Demerest, Nicky Blair.

2. KING CREOLE- 1958- Made in PARAMOUNT STUDIOS is Elvis's critically acclaimed performance. It is considered the best of all of his films rivaling only by Jailhouse Rock. The director's (Michael Curtiz's) tight direction of the twists and subplots are evident creating a well-paced, well-acted film. (The story is based on the Harold Robbins novel (A stone for Danny Fisher). It is considered the best narrative film of all Elvis films. Elvis plays Danny Fisher who comes up from the ghetto seeking fame and fortune as a singer in New Orleans French quarter. He meets up with the gangland boss Maxie Fields played by (Walter Matthau) and becomes sexually attracted to the gangland boss's girlfriend Ronnie (Carolyn Jones). Danny hates being poor and blames his poverty on his father. He works in a nightclub at the New Orleans French Quarter as a waiter for extra money for his family. Maxie Fields (Walter Matthau) forces Danny (Elvis) to sing one night at the nightclub. The nightclub gives Danny a singing job. Danny is greatly attracted to two women, the gangster's girlfriend, Ronnie (Carolyn Jones) and the sweet good girl Nellie (Dolores Hart). Danny cannot decide whether to pursue a legitimate singing career or to join a street gang. The street gang leader played by Vic Marrow starts a fight with Danny, which results in Danny getting a knife wound. Ronnie nurses Danny's wound and a very jealous Maxie, shoots her dead in cold blood. Maxie is shot by Danny's close friend; in the end, and Danny reconciles with his friends and family.

The film is a very good drama, showing off Elvis's acting chops. The soundtrack is filled with great songs, including the famous song "Hardheaded woman," and "King Creole." My favorite song is "Crawfish" the first song sung by Elvis on the balcony of the Roosevelt Hotel. It is an early morning scene, with Elvis waking up to the loud cry of Crawfish from the lady vender walking down the early morning, empty streets. Elvis playfully sings along with her cry with a jazzy, bluesy, song. It is a soulful, jazzy song that brilliantly sets up the hot sultry scene of New Orleans. It is the coolest scene. So, very Rock & Roll.

Directed by Michael Curtiz, writing credicts by Harold Robbins wrote the book, and Herbert Baker wrote the screenplay. The film is produced by Hal Walis and the technical advisor is by Colonel tom parker. Again, you watch this on HD; it is very beautiful and clean in black and white HD.

2. GIRL HAPPY-1965- Elvis Presley's seventieth film for MGM STUDIOS. It stars Elvis, Shelly Fabares, Mary Ann Mobley, and Harold Stone. This film was made to cash-in on the College teens migrating to Fort Lauderdale for their Easter Break. The film is filled with giggling, bikini-clad teenagers dancing to music suddenly coming out of nowhere on the beach. Ok writing, and a sexy hip-shaking Elvis. This film made a lot of money, of course.The plot is formulaic; it involves Elvis as singer (Rusty Wells) who is struggling to be out of his pop singer status. He sings for a tough nightclub owner named Big Frank. Big Frank's only daughter Shelly Fabares (Valerie) plans to go to Fort Lauderdale for her Easter break. Big Frank, refuses she go, at first only to acquiesce when Valerie tells him she plans to go with some friends. Big Frank lets her go without telling her that he has hired Rusty(Elvis) to keep an eye on her. Elvis doesn't take this baby-sitting job seriously at first, thinking Valerie is a wallflower. He changes his mind quickly when he sees Valerie at the beach in Fort Lauderdale in a bathing suit. He then sees he has to chase the drooling wolves away from beautiful Valerie. Rusty gets distracted by local beautiful bad girl/bitch Deena, (MaryAnn Mobley) and only remembers his job when he has to rescue Valerie from one overzealous admirer. He decides to start dating Valerie to keep a closer eye on her. Valerie falls for Elvis's smooth-talk, finds out that he was sent by her father to watch over her, hates him, falls in love with him again after he apologies.

It is my very favorite. I watch it every time it is on. I love it. It is so romantic, with great unforgettable songs. The music is fun, upbeat and makes you dance. My favorite song "GIRL HAPPY" is the title song of course, "Wolf Call," Do not disturb," Puppet on the string." As well as "Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce." "Wolf Call" involves a politically incorrect scene with Elvis stopping his song to parole the audience for a beautiful woman to be that night's companion. His band whistles a "Wolf call." A wolf call is a characteristic whistle of two notes; the second note sliding from high to a low note. It is an expression of admiration for a beautiful woman. IE: An old school "Hey, there good looking."
This film reminds me a lot of "Dirty Dancing." Elvis is Johnny and Shelly Fabares is Baby the "Ugly pretty girl" turned swan once she arrives at Fort Lauderdale. This is Shelly Fabares first musical comedy, she will again reprise her role as Elvis's leading lady in two more films: Clambake, and Spinout.
Remaining cast list of GIRL HAPPY: Gary Cosby, Joby Baker, Nita Talbot, Fabrizio, Mioni, Jackie Coogan, Jimmy Hawkins.

1. JAILHOUSE ROCK-1957- Elvis's third film made for MGM STUDIOS and I think his very best film. This film is famous for the "Jailhouse Rock" (The first ever music video). Elvis plays convict Vince Everett, who is sent to jail for manslaughter. His cellmate Hank Houghton (Mickey Shaugnessy) is a country/western singer who recognizes Vince's talent and draws up a contract to perform together as well as share the profits. Vince is unsuccessful in getting a job as a singer, when he gets out of jail. He finally finds a singing job and a record company once he finds help from promoter Peggy Van Alden (Judy Tyler). Vince becomes a spoiled, selfish, singer superstar concerned with fame and fortune until a confrontation with Hank. Hank doesn't accept his selfish behavior and sets him straight. Hank and Vince fight, resulting in a throat injury for Vince. The throat injury puts Vince's singing career in jeopardy. Vince recovers from his throat injury only to see his wicked ways and makes amends.

The highlights of the film are the "Jailhouse Rock" production, as well as the "Baby don't care" production. "Baby don't care" production scene is Elvis singing at a large pool party with his band. He is at his hip twitching best and sexiest. I love the jazzy low guitar strumming in the beginning of the song. There is another scene I love where Vince (Elvis), Peggy, and Vince's band are in the studio recording "Treat me nice" where they clap the chorus. It is a great fun scene where you see the actors actually enjoying themselves. There is a great story behind the scenes surrounding the production of "Jailhouse Rock." The choreographer (Alex Romero) planned to have Elvis dance like Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly only to realize that Elvis could not imitate the famous dance routines. Romero asked Elvis to dance as if he were singing on stage. The rest is history.
Don't be fooled this is not the formulaic, fun, simple, fluffy romp with music, coming out of nowhere. It is a more serious, parable about the human condition and show business.
Screenplay: Guy Trosper, Producer: Pandoro S. Berman, Director: Richard Thrope, Story: Ned Young, Directory of photography: Robert Bronner.

That is it. The Elvis films I have listed above are my all time favorites. Rent them, or see them when they are on TCM channel. (Turner Classic Movies channel) If you've watched them they are worth watching again, if this is your very first time I envy you. Either way you are in for a real treat whether you are an Elvis fan or not.