Elvis Presley was a singing sensation who had a phenomenal rise to to fame and popularity until his death in 1977. His legend lives on with his legions of fans who continue to pilgrimage to Graceland annually to pay tribute to “The King” and hold a Candlelight Vigil for him.
Elvis rose to fame as an innovative rock and roll singer. He also had a fruitful movie career, with 31 movies to his credit. For a number of years he was one of Hollywood’s top box office draws, as well as one of Hollywood’s highest paid actors. His movies continue to enjoy a healthy life in home video and DVD sales and in television syndication. Eleven of his movie soundtrack albums went to the top ten of the music charts.
Presley’s movies were not known to be very deep. They largely consisted of him being in a situation, “looking at girls and playing the guitar”, as he told the Beatles at one time. The movies were usually set in glamorous surroundings, such as Hawaii, Florida and Las Vegas. The backgrounds were beautiful and the cast members were all attractive, making the movies just plain fun to watch.
The movies usually feature romance, love, guitar playing and singing by Elvis.
Following are the titles of Elvis’s movies along with a brief description:
Love Me Tender
20th Century fox 1956
Presley’s first movie about brothers in wartimes
Cast: Richard Egan
Loving You
Paramount 1957
His second movie was his first in color. Elvis plays a young truck driver who is discovered by a press-agent and has to pick between her and a female singer.
Cast: Lizabeth Scott, Delores Hart.
Jailhouse Rock
MGM 1957
In a critically acclaimed performance, Elvis goes to jail and starts singing with his cell mate, played by Mickey Shaughnessy. The two get out of jail and start a record company.
King Creole
Paramount 1958
Presley’s most critically acclaimed acting performance, as well as what is considered his best film. In this film Elvis played a singer from the ghetto seeking fame and fortune in the New Orleans Jazz clubs. Co-starred Carolyn Jones.
G.I. Blues
Paramount 1960
This was his first film after active duty in the U.S. Army. The movie is about romantic adventure while stationed in Germany. His leading lady was the dancer/actress Juliet Prowse.
Flaming Star
20th Century Fox 1960
Elvis plays in a role originally meant for Marlon Brando. His leading lady was Barbara Eden.
Wild in the Country
20th Century Fox 1961
Elvis plays a troubled youth with a court appointed psychologist played by Hope Lange.
Blue Hawaii
Paramount 1961
Blue Hawaii was filmed in the tropical paradise of the Hawaiian islands of Oahu and Kauai. The movie was Elvis’s biggest commercial success. He played the heir of a pineapple plantation whose family wants him to marry and take over the plantation, but he had other plans. There is a famous wedding scene which was shot in Kauai at the Coco Palms Resort, which is now closed. Co-starts Joan Blackman and Angela Lansbury.
Follow That Dream
United Artists 1962
The story is about the Kwimper family, who homesteaded land in Florida. Co-stars Arthur O’Connell and Anne Helm.
Kid Galahad
United Artists 1962
Co-stars Gig Young, Charles Bronson and Joan Blackman.
Girls! Girls! Girls!
Paramount 1962
Producer Hall Wallis decided to promote Elvis as an entertainer rather than a rebel actor, based upon the success of Blue Hawaii. Co-stars: Ross carpenter, Stella Stevens.
It Happened at the World’s Fair
MGM 1963
Set in Seattle at the World’s Fair. Joan O’Brien was the leading lady.
Fun in Acupulco
Paramount 1963
Elvis played a former trapeze artist who develops a fear of heights. His tries to regain his courage while working as a nightclub singer and lifeguard. He eventually dives off the cliffs in Acapulco. Ursula Andress and Elsa Cardenas played the love interests.
Kissin’ Cousins
MGM 1964
Elvis played a dual role of look-alike cousins. Yvonne Craig and Pamela Austine played love interests.
Viva Las Vegas
MGM 1964
Filmed on location in Las Vegas about a race car driver in the big Grand Prix race. Ann Margret played his love interest.
Roustabout
Paramount 1964
The carnival idea for this picture was the brainchild of manager Colonel Tom Parker. Co-Stars Charlie Rogers, Joan Freeman and Barbara Stanwyck.
Girl Happy
MGM 1965
Set in Fort Lauderdale, Florida during the annual spring break festivities. Mary Ann Mobley was the love interest.
Tickle Me
Allied Artists 1965
Harum Scarum
MGM 1965
Elvis in the Middle East, in Rudolph Valentino style costumes. Mary Ann Mobley was the leading lady.
Frankie and Johnny
United Artists 1966
Story set in St. Louis, Missouri with Donna Douglas as leading lady.
Paradise Hawaiian Style
Paramount 1966
Elvis returns to Hawaii in an attempt to repeat the success of Blue Hawaii.
Spinout
MGM 1966
The story of a race car driver who is chased by three women, Leading Lady Shelley Fabares.
Easy Come, Easy Go
Paramount 1967
A marine diver searches for treasure. Pat Priest co-starred.
Double Trouble
MGM 1967
Film was set in Europe but filmed in Hollywood.
Clambake
United Artists 1967
Elvis plays a rich young man who trade places with a poor man played by Will Hutchins. The movie was set on the beaches of Florida. Shelley Febares, Dianne Carter, Tom Wilson and Bill Bixby also starred.
Stay Away Joe
MGM 1968
Rollicking comedy filmed in Arizona and Hollywood. The cast included Burgess Meredith, Joe Lightcloud, Charlie Lightcloud, Joan Blondell.
Speedway
MGM 1968
Co-starred Nancy Sinatra.
Live a Little Love a Little
MGM 1968
A newspaper photographers loses his job and apartment. He gets a new apartment but has to take two jobs to pay for it. He still manages to find time for romance. Celeste Yarnall is the love interest.
Charro!
National General 1969
This movie is the only one that Elvis did not sing in. Ina Balin was the leading lady.
The Trouble With Girls (and How to Get Into It)
MGM 1969
Change of Habit
Universal 1969
A doctor works closely with three social workers, who are actually nuns. The sisters are played by Barbara McNair, Mary Tyler Moore and Jane Elliot.
