Hi!
I’m a new member here. I became a fan of Elvis as a boy in 1985 or 1986. I watched the “
NBC Comeback Special” on TV and that was it!
In 1992 I disovered another great performer who died at an early age (41 years old),
Jim Reeves. I took a pause from Elvis.
Then in 1994 or 1995 I discovered the “
Double Features” releases and thought “There’s still a lot of Elvis’ music I haven’t yet heard”. I collected almost all of those releases.
I like all of Elvis’ music be it 1950’s, 1960’s or 1970’s. But, I consider the 50’s and the 60’s the best.
Those movies gave us some bad and some terrible music, but I like many of those soundtrack recordings.
But since, this a thread about his movies I’ll change the subject. I’m now in a period where I try to buy and watch Elvis films I haven’t previously seen.
These films I’ve never seen and, most likely, won’t buy:
*
Harum Scarum*
Paradise Hawaiian Style*
Clambake*
Stay Away, Joe*
Speedway*
Charro!*
The Trouble with Girls*
Change of HabitI’ve recently made an order of “
Live a Little, Love a Little”. I’m looking forward to it considering the various opinions on it.
My favourite Elvis movies (in chronological order):
*
King Creole*
Jailhouse Rock*
Flaming Star*
Wild in the Country (a bit overlong, I’d like to see the original ending + “
Lonely Man” scene)
*
Follow That Dream (don’t remember much about it, It’s been almost 9 years since I last saw it, but I guess it will be a favourite if I see it. I want an anamorphic widescreen, 148 minute, version on DVD. The longer cut may be too much to ask for).
*
Viva Las Vegas (my favourite, I love
Ann-Marget + the music + cinematography + locations)
*
Roustabout (storyline a bit better than other Elvis 1960’s musicals, good cinematography, shot mostly on location, quite innovative, good lighting, the music is mostly forgettable though)
*
Girl Happy (weak music, but otherwise an enjoyable Elvis programmer made almost exclusively in the studio)
*
Tickle Me (weak movie, but
Jocelyn Lane + the music makes it a favourite

)
It's been many years since I last saw
Loving You, but it might become a favourite.
Movies I like to watch now and then:
*
G. I. Blues*
Kissin’ Cousins (
Yvonne Craig and
Cynthia Pepper are beauties, “
Tender Feeling” is a beautiful song)
*
SpinoutI may watch “
It Happened at the World's Fair” some time in the future)
Elvis movies I don’t care much for:
*
Blue Hawaii (I found it boring watching it some years ago)
*
Girls! Girls! Girls! (boring)
*
Fun in Acapulco (quite weak,
Ursula Andress is hot though)
*
Easy Come, Easy Go (stupid comedy, weak plotline, mostly weak music, boring movie, bad cinematography)
Norman Taurog is in my opinion a weak director who directed a few too many of the movies.
These are the best Elvis movie books I’ve read:
*“
Elvis, Man and Myth” by
Sarah Parker Danielson (1991). (The text is a bit too much for my taste, but the pictures are beautiful)
*“
Elvis! Elvis! Elvis! – The King and his Movies" by
Peter Guttmacher (1997). (Beautiful book and an interesting, thoughtfully put together, well written read. It’s a fine companion piece to the next book on my list.)
*“
Elvis: Frame by Frame : Behind the Scene Accounts about the Making of Nine of Elvis Presley's Films” by
Bill Bram (2008). (The best book ever written on Elvis’ movies, period.)
Sincerely,
Mr. Even Bjerkelien
Last edited by musiclover1979 on Fri Jan 30, 2009 8:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.