Elvis Presley: Five of his Must Watch Films that will Make you Fall in Love with
Elvis Presley made 31 films in 13 years, ranging from the Civil War Western Love Me Tender in 1956 to the social drama Change of Habit in 1969, in which he played a hip young doctor who unwittingly falls for a nun played by Mary Tyler Moore.
From the start, Hollywood was as eager to capitalise on Presley’s charisma and star power as Presley was to follow in the footsteps of Oscar winners Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, who had parlayed their own pop stardom into respected film careers.
5 Must-See Elvis Presley Films
His best films demonstrate his potential: the raw energy, the presence, the dedication to embodying a character who was clearly not himself.
“His career is complicated,” Susan Doll, author of Elvis for Dummies and Elvis Presley’s Films, tells Vanity Fair. “When you say ‘Elvis movie,’ everyone thinks of musical romances, which Elvis jokingly referred to as ‘the Presley travelogues.’ Elvis plays this archetype, in which he is a free spirit with an exciting job in a vacation destination, so he is never part of the mundane, everyday world. After watching Elvis, here are five must-see Presley films.
1: Jailhouse Rock (1957)
Elvis’s Vince Everett, convicted of manslaughter, is shown the ropes by his cellmate (Mickey Shaughnessy). When he gets out of the joint, he becomes a singing sensation who only wants to reach number one on the charts. The only Elvis film inducted into the National Film Registry of “historically, culturally, or aesthetically significant” American films has a great soundtrack, including perhaps Elvis’ most galvanizing three minutes onscreen, performing the title song.
2: G.I. Blues (1960)
After his military service, Elvis’s first star vehicle pairs him with Juliet Prowse, an established star dancer and actress. She is who will help Elvis develop a more mature image (the two were briefly romantically involved). Presley is a soldier stationed in Germany, where he bets his buddies that he can make time with Prowse’s cold-shouldered nightclub dancer. The title song is fantastic, and “Big Boots” is a beautiful lullaby. This was one of Presley’s top five box office hits, confirming his star power.
3: Blue Hawii (1961)
Presley’s film career can be divided into two parts: before and after Blue Hawaii. One of his biggest box office hits to date was a game changer, prompting manager Colonel Parker to insist that Presley forego any Oscar hopes in order to give his fans what they wanted. Elvis in an exotic location singing enough songs to fill a best-selling soundtrack. Blue Hawaii had 14, with the best being “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
4: Follow That Dream (1962)
An underappreciated and underappreciated gem that deviates from the travelogue template. Presley, who plays a cross between Li’l Abner and Forrest Gump, plays the dutiful son of a businessman who claims squatter’s rights on a stretch of Florida highway and establishes a home for his makeshift family.
The title song is a keeper (and has been performed live by Bruce Springsteen). But the film’s few songs take a back seat to the story. Similarly, Elvis also does well in a courtroom finale. This is where his heartfelt testimony and simple-minded wit outwit the social worker attempting to break up Presley’s family.
5: Viva Las Vegas (1964)
Similarly, The best Presley travelogue, if not the best Presley film. Presley struck gold with this homage to a classic MGM musical. (George Sidney directed Show Boat and Annie Get Your Gun as well. Moreover, His chemistry with co-star Ann-Margret is electric. The dynamo, fresh off her breakout role in the film adaptation of Bye Bye Birdie This matches him shake for shake and shimmy for shimmy.
Ann-Margret referred to Elvis Presley as her soul mate in her autobiography. Moreover, While it lacks the gravitas and promise of Jailhouse Rock and King Creole, this is what we mean when we talk about Elvis movies. And the title song!
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