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Jailhouse Rock (film)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the song, see Jailhouse Rock (song).
| Jailhouse Rock | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Directed by | Richard Thorpe |
| Produced by | Pandro S. Berman |
| Written by | Nedrick Young (story) Guy Trosper (screenwriter) |
| Starring | Elvis Presley Judy Tyler |
| Music by | See list |
| Cinematography | Robert J. Bronner |
| Editing by | Ralph E. Winters |
| Distributed by | MGM |
| Release date(s) | October 17, 1957 |
| Running time | 96 min. |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Jailhouse Rock is an American motion picture directed by Richard Thorpe, released by MGM on November 8, 1957. The film stars Elvis Presley (his third ever film role), Judy Tyler, and Mickey Shaughnessy. Sadly, co-star Tyler was killed in an automobile accident a few weeks after the film was completed, and like Loving You before it, Presley was so upset that he refused to ever watch the completed film. The film also includes Bill Hickman who, in 1955, was with James Dean at the time of his death as the result of an automobile accident and, in 1968, helped choreograph and drive the black Dodge Charger in the famous car chase scene in Bullitt. In 2004, this film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry as being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
Contents |
- Elvis Presley : Vince Everett
- Judy Tyler : Peggy Van Alden
- Mickey Shaughnessy: Hunk Houghton
- Vaughn Taylor : Mr. Shores (narrator)
- Jennifer Holden: Sherry Wilson
- Dean Jones: Teddy Talbot
- Anne Neyland: Laury Jackson
- Bill Hickman: Guard who whips Vince
Presley plays "Vince Everett," an ex-convict working in the music industry, and a character analogous to Presley's then public image. After going to jail for a bar fight he did not start, Everett meets Hunk Houghton in prison, and the two men form a bond. Houghton, a washed-up country singer, teaches Everett to play an old guitar, and to sing a few songs.
Upon his release, Everett lands work at night clubs, but not singing. He meets Peggy Van Alden, a record company talent scout, who after agrees to allow Everett to record a song. They bring his record to an executive at a small record label, who then records the exact arrangement with one of his established stars. Everett and Van Alden then start their own label to bring Everett's records to the public, and fame, riches, and a film career ensue.
Everett's prison buddy Houghton shows up, and instead of getting in on the action as anticipated, has to settle for being Everett's gofer. Throughout the film, Everett is the epitome of the spoiled star, surly, uncommunicative, bellicose, and treating all around him with either cruelty or diffidence, especially Van Alden and Houghton. A final fight at the end of the movie with Houghton, meant to give Everett his comeuppance, damages his vocal cords, bringing into question his ability to ever sing again. He learns his lesson in humility, and expresses his true feelings for Van Alden and Houghton.
Unlike his previous film, a full long-playing album soundtrack was not devised for Jailhouse Rock. Instead, five of the six songs written for Presley were released as an extended-play, seven-inch 45 RPM record on RCA Records, Jailhouse Rock.
- The pair of shapely female legs seen walking across the stage in the scene where Presley and Judy Tyler meet belong to showgirl Gloria Pall.
- The film is most famous for the dance sequence in which Elvis sings the title track while cavorting with other "inmates" through a jail cellblock. The sequence is widely acknowledged as most exciting and best-executed musical scene in any of the 29 Presley narrative movies.
- In August 2007 a Deluxe Edition with some special material was released.
- Review by Emanuel Levy at Emanuel Levy.com.
- Review by Leonard Norwitz at DVD Beaver, October 6th, 2007.
- Review by Pat Wahlquist at Home Theater Forum, 09-22-2007.
- Review by Dean Winkelspecht at DVDTOWN.com, Sep 19, 2007.
- Review by David Vaughn at HomeTheaterSpot.com, 09-17-07.
- Review by Justin Sluss at High Def Disc News, September 15th, 2007.
- Review by Mark Zimmer at digitally OBSESSED!, September 27, 2007.
- Review by Justin Sluss at High Def Disc News, September 17th, 2007.
- Review by Fusion3600 at DVD Authority.