To begin, I agree the latter part of his films were all extremely methodical, but that is the very reason he stopped making movies - he had so much faith in the Colonel who wanted him to continue, but Elvis wanted better material, and they argued about it so rather than fight with his mentor, he quit making movies and went back to stage performances. That was his downfall; by making movies he had to keep fit, but could let it go for live performing.
It's been a long time since I actually sat and watched an Elvis movie, but I did today. So far its all been post Army. If you look at his pre-Army films you see an entirely different guy. He's trying to learn. He was actually getting somewhere in King Creole and Jailhouse Rock.
Of course, G.I. Blues was his welcome home/I'm back, movie, but the first few post-Army films were not really that bad. I actually thought he was pretty good in Flaming Star, Wild in the Country and Viva Las Vegas. Working with Barbara Stanwyck must have been a thrill for him and I'm sure he got some hints from Delores Del Rio, John Ireland, and John McIntire, but just about that time is when it ended, and he went to the formula movies.
I don't have the gift that moira and some of the others here have for dissecting a movie and giving examples to look for - I wish I did. The movies coming up this evening are some of the better ones IMO. My favorite all time Elvis movie is King Creole, and second runner up is Roustabout. He has a couple of good run-ins with Ms. Stanwyck and Leif Erickson, but I don't think that one is showing.
Flaming Star always made me wonder why it didn't get more attention. A lot of fans didn't go to see it, and I am confused by that. The story of a nice family being broken up by racism and prejudice was right up there with the news of the day.
Do any of you have an Elvis film you feel confident in defending? Because that is really what has to be done with his films - they're not considered worth bothering with, and I disagree to some extent.
Anne
HEY PKTREKGIRL I'd like to talk about Elvis and get comments
HEY PKTREKGIRL I'd like to talk about Elvis and get comments
Last edited by mrsl on January 23rd, 2008, 4:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Anne
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Moraldo Rubini
- Posts: 1094
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Elvis has left the building
I haven't studied his films, so am no connoisseur... Tickle Me is the only movie that I've walked out on. It was the Saturday matinee at the Senator theatre in my hometown, and the haunted house terrified me. I was 8.
A few years ago I saw MGM's Jailhouse Rock on the big screen and suddenly saw what so many did -- a striking screen presence, star power, charisma... whatever you want to call it; he had it.
And a couple of years ago I saw Viva Las Vegas at a screening with Ann-Margret making a [frustrating] personal appearance. They had great chemistry, and the musical numbers on that wide screen were exhilarating.
Oh and I saw a screening of Blue Hawai'i on the sands of Waikiki Beach! Every Friday night they showed movies on the beach, and I was lucky enough to be able to attend this screening. No better way to watch this movie than while digging your toes in the warm sand.
My perception is that the rest were cookie-cutter movies, but I'm keeping an open mind since I really haven't seen them (and ignored them today).
A few years ago I saw MGM's Jailhouse Rock on the big screen and suddenly saw what so many did -- a striking screen presence, star power, charisma... whatever you want to call it; he had it.
And a couple of years ago I saw Viva Las Vegas at a screening with Ann-Margret making a [frustrating] personal appearance. They had great chemistry, and the musical numbers on that wide screen were exhilarating.
Oh and I saw a screening of Blue Hawai'i on the sands of Waikiki Beach! Every Friday night they showed movies on the beach, and I was lucky enough to be able to attend this screening. No better way to watch this movie than while digging your toes in the warm sand.
My perception is that the rest were cookie-cutter movies, but I'm keeping an open mind since I really haven't seen them (and ignored them today).
Last edited by Moraldo Rubini on August 16th, 2007, 8:55 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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Vecchiolarry
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- Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Hi Anne,
I was never a real fan of Elvis but I do recognize that he was a phenomenon and certainly was a star......
I can remember when he first appeared and how we all gathered around the TV to see him on "Ed Sullivan"...
He certainly shook up the world!
Later, Angela Lansbury told me (and others) that Elvis was the politest young man and so very cordial to her.
But still later, someone who knew him fairly well told me that Elvis didn't like himself and was self destructive and that so was his mother....
We can see that possibly that is right - both never took care of themselves and died young..... Pity - what a waste.
He could have been a great example for young people, if only he got out there and focussed on charitable concerns....
Larry
I was never a real fan of Elvis but I do recognize that he was a phenomenon and certainly was a star......
I can remember when he first appeared and how we all gathered around the TV to see him on "Ed Sullivan"...
He certainly shook up the world!
Later, Angela Lansbury told me (and others) that Elvis was the politest young man and so very cordial to her.
But still later, someone who knew him fairly well told me that Elvis didn't like himself and was self destructive and that so was his mother....
We can see that possibly that is right - both never took care of themselves and died young..... Pity - what a waste.
He could have been a great example for young people, if only he got out there and focussed on charitable concerns....
Larry
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Lzcutter
- Administrator
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Anne,
My folks have been Elvis fans from the beginning. When we moved to Las Vegas my dad was working as a Keno Writer (different from a Keno runner) at the Golden Gate. He got off early on Sunday morning and stood out on Fremont and Main and watched Elvis go by in his race car in "Viva Las Vegas".
For many the summer of 1969 was the summer of Love. For us in Vegas, it was the summer of Elvis.
Here's my remembrance:
http://classiclasvegas.squarespace.com/ ... egas-blog/
My folks have been Elvis fans from the beginning. When we moved to Las Vegas my dad was working as a Keno Writer (different from a Keno runner) at the Golden Gate. He got off early on Sunday morning and stood out on Fremont and Main and watched Elvis go by in his race car in "Viva Las Vegas".
For many the summer of 1969 was the summer of Love. For us in Vegas, it was the summer of Elvis.
Here's my remembrance:
http://classiclasvegas.squarespace.com/ ... egas-blog/
Lynn in Lake Balboa
"Film is history. With every foot of film lost, we lose a link to our culture, to the world around us, to each other and to ourselves."
"For me, John Wayne has only become more impressive over time." Marty Scorsese
Avatar-Warner Bros Water Tower
"Film is history. With every foot of film lost, we lose a link to our culture, to the world around us, to each other and to ourselves."
"For me, John Wayne has only become more impressive over time." Marty Scorsese
Avatar-Warner Bros Water Tower
mrsl,
I have been an Elvis Presley fan all my life. I guess because my late Mother, and even my late Grandmother were such huge fans!
WILD IN THE COUNTRY from 1961, which TCM just aired is arguably Elvis best film! I would not describe this one as a Cookie-Cutter Movie at all. Save for maybe one or two brief scenes. I could not sleep, so I got up and watched this one this morning and enjoyed it greatly.
I have always liked FLAMING STAR, but don't over-look CHARRO, and especially A CHANGE OF HABIT, with Mary Tyler Moore! These films proved that Elvis really was in-fact a very talented actor. Has the latter been released on DVD? I don't think it has?
I'm also very pleased to see GIRL HAPPY (1965), finally released on DVD! This has always been among my favorites! Sure it's formulaic, but who cares? Shelly Fabares is just so damned cute! 
I have been an Elvis Presley fan all my life. I guess because my late Mother, and even my late Grandmother were such huge fans! WILD IN THE COUNTRY from 1961, which TCM just aired is arguably Elvis best film! I would not describe this one as a Cookie-Cutter Movie at all. Save for maybe one or two brief scenes. I could not sleep, so I got up and watched this one this morning and enjoyed it greatly.
I have always liked FLAMING STAR, but don't over-look CHARRO, and especially A CHANGE OF HABIT, with Mary Tyler Moore! These films proved that Elvis really was in-fact a very talented actor. Has the latter been released on DVD? I don't think it has? I'm also very pleased to see GIRL HAPPY (1965), finally released on DVD! This has always been among my favorites! Sure it's formulaic, but who cares? Shelly Fabares is just so damned cute! Ken123 wrote:
"Being an anti - Elvis person I am boycotting TCM today. I don't dislike Elvis I just don't watch his films. "
Ken: Your whole post is completely contradictory. You say you're anti-Elvis, yet you don't dislike him, you just don't watch his movies. Why are you anti, and why don't you watch his movies? You have me all confused.
lzcutter:
I haven't been back to 'classic Vegas' in a few weeks - you were just starting the Strip, like you had done the down town area. One thing about Viva Las Vegas, it shows a great overview of 1960's Strip in the opening credits. I remember all those gaping holes between casinos before the Mirage, Monte Carlo, and Excalibur were built.
Gagman:
I had forgotten about Change of Habit and you're right he was coming along, with a little coaching he may have become an actor to contend with.
I'm not defending his use of drugs - I abhor that - but I am questioning whether all the different doctors he visited while on tours could have prescribed various meds that counter-acted with each other to cause the wackiness he exhibited in the last couple of years, in addition to the weight gain.
As for the acting, he was finally getting more comfortable in front of the camera, the stiffness was receding. I know its all over the hill, but I can't help regretting the loss of such a talent, just like Judy Garland, and John Garfield because nobody stepped in to say "Okay, cut the crap".
The loss of Judy Tyler from Jailhouse Rock was a shame at such a young age also, wasn't she?
Anne
"Being an anti - Elvis person I am boycotting TCM today. I don't dislike Elvis I just don't watch his films. "
Ken: Your whole post is completely contradictory. You say you're anti-Elvis, yet you don't dislike him, you just don't watch his movies. Why are you anti, and why don't you watch his movies? You have me all confused.
lzcutter:
I haven't been back to 'classic Vegas' in a few weeks - you were just starting the Strip, like you had done the down town area. One thing about Viva Las Vegas, it shows a great overview of 1960's Strip in the opening credits. I remember all those gaping holes between casinos before the Mirage, Monte Carlo, and Excalibur were built.
Gagman:
I had forgotten about Change of Habit and you're right he was coming along, with a little coaching he may have become an actor to contend with.
I'm not defending his use of drugs - I abhor that - but I am questioning whether all the different doctors he visited while on tours could have prescribed various meds that counter-acted with each other to cause the wackiness he exhibited in the last couple of years, in addition to the weight gain.
As for the acting, he was finally getting more comfortable in front of the camera, the stiffness was receding. I know its all over the hill, but I can't help regretting the loss of such a talent, just like Judy Garland, and John Garfield because nobody stepped in to say "Okay, cut the crap".
The loss of Judy Tyler from Jailhouse Rock was a shame at such a young age also, wasn't she?
Anne
Anne
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pktrekgirl
- Administrator
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- Joined: April 14th, 2007, 1:08 pm
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I don't consider Elvis to be a classic film star, so I wasn't really happy about him having a day on that basis...but he was a 'star', this is SOTStars...and it *was* the 30th anniversary of his death, so I was willing to go with it.
But the thing is, I've never seen any Elvis films. I recorded a few yesterday, but won't have time to watch them all.
So Anne, which one would you recommend? I'll probably only have time to watch one cus I have to work this weekend...so if you could recommend the one that is most representative, I'd really appreciate it!
But the thing is, I've never seen any Elvis films. I recorded a few yesterday, but won't have time to watch them all.
So Anne, which one would you recommend? I'll probably only have time to watch one cus I have to work this weekend...so if you could recommend the one that is most representative, I'd really appreciate it!
My wife said she'd help young people, ... That's what I'd do. Help young people, then buy a big motor home and get out of town.
~ Gary Cooper
~ Gary Cooper
pk:
As I said, they didn't really show any that represented him in a 'good' acting light. If you were able to catch Wild in the Country, that is the best one that shows his burgeoning talent, secondly would be King Creole, made quickly just before his two and a half year army hitch hiatus which pretty much threw him backwards from anything he had learned. I'm pretty sure you'll find something to admire in both of those films though.
Anne
As I said, they didn't really show any that represented him in a 'good' acting light. If you were able to catch Wild in the Country, that is the best one that shows his burgeoning talent, secondly would be King Creole, made quickly just before his two and a half year army hitch hiatus which pretty much threw him backwards from anything he had learned. I'm pretty sure you'll find something to admire in both of those films though.
Anne
Anne
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pktrekgirl
- Administrator
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Well, I recorded WILD IN THE COUNTRY, so that one will work. I don't think KING CREOLE was on yesterday...but I'll keep an eye out for it as well. I don't recall ever seeing it air on TCM - was it a FOX film, perhaps?
So, did Elvis go to Vietnam?
Seriously, I don't know that much about him because I was not born or in diapers in the early 60's.
So, did Elvis go to Vietnam?
Seriously, I don't know that much about him because I was not born or in diapers in the early 60's.
My wife said she'd help young people, ... That's what I'd do. Help young people, then buy a big motor home and get out of town.
~ Gary Cooper
~ Gary Cooper
I thought Elvis had the potential to be a better all-round entertainer than Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. not only did i think he was a god actor, he could also handle fight scenes and was ideal for Flaming Star and Charro.
i thought to that King Croele is right up there with Judy's A Star Is Born and Doris' Love Me Or Leave Me as great all-round performances of the 50s. i feel almost cheated that his electric performance in that was made when he was only 23, because i feel that creatively he was at his pk in the 70s. i remember recently song writer Tim Rice said that instead of working himself to death with his massive work load with his concerts, he should have cut down, but not completly on his live shows, and make more better movies. it was a big mistake IMO that he turned down Striesand's A Star Is Born. they would have lit up the screen and together they might even have superseeded Judy's version
i thought to that King Croele is right up there with Judy's A Star Is Born and Doris' Love Me Or Leave Me as great all-round performances of the 50s. i feel almost cheated that his electric performance in that was made when he was only 23, because i feel that creatively he was at his pk in the 70s. i remember recently song writer Tim Rice said that instead of working himself to death with his massive work load with his concerts, he should have cut down, but not completly on his live shows, and make more better movies. it was a big mistake IMO that he turned down Striesand's A Star Is Born. they would have lit up the screen and together they might even have superseeded Judy's version
I love when new people like Stuart UK join in and pull up all these older threads. So much is forgotten.
So pktrek, have you ever carried out your promise to see some of Elvis's early movies? The original B&W's from pre-Army days, were the best, and some of the later ones which were discussed, such as Wild in the Country, Charro, and Flaming Star. What I said about the meds was supposition, but since I have been on meds for my heart, and blood pressure, I have gained weight until I am the heaviest I have ever been in my life and no amount of watching what I eat helps, so meds can definitely cause weight fluctuation.
Also, Elvis went to Europe, Germany to be exact. Actually he was just a teeny bit early for Vietnam. He actually went in for a 2 year stint which was then the acceptable time frame, a few months later is when Vietnam opened up.
Anne
So pktrek, have you ever carried out your promise to see some of Elvis's early movies? The original B&W's from pre-Army days, were the best, and some of the later ones which were discussed, such as Wild in the Country, Charro, and Flaming Star. What I said about the meds was supposition, but since I have been on meds for my heart, and blood pressure, I have gained weight until I am the heaviest I have ever been in my life and no amount of watching what I eat helps, so meds can definitely cause weight fluctuation.
Also, Elvis went to Europe, Germany to be exact. Actually he was just a teeny bit early for Vietnam. He actually went in for a 2 year stint which was then the acceptable time frame, a few months later is when Vietnam opened up.
Anne
Anne
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