The Movies

Elvis made 33 movies from 1956 until 1972. His scripted films ended with 'Change Of Habit' in 1969. He made two documentaries, "That's The Way It Is," 1970 and "Elvis On Tour," 1972.

At one point, he was Hollywood's highest paid actor! It wasn't unusual for the companies to pay Elvis 1 million dollars per movie.

Some of the movies are available on DVD, with restored sound and picture quality.

Although sometimes slated for their laid-back style and non-demanding acting, the Elvis films are classics in their own right. I remember well, during the school holidays when the Elvis films were being shown.  

Here's a list of the movies:

1956
 
Love me tender
 
Clint Reno

 
First Elvis Presley Movie. The only time where Elvis was not the best paid actor on the film.

1957
 
Loving you
 
Jimmy Tompkins (Deke Rivers)
 
The first time Elvis appeared in a colour movie. His parents can be seen in the audience (his mother is dressed in blue when Elvis sings "Got a lot of livin' to do")

1957

Jailhouse Rock
 
Vince Everett
 

Judy Tyler , his co-star in this movie, died in a car crash after they completed the film - it is reported that Elvis never watched the film again.

1958
 
King Creole
 
Danny Fisher
 

The last time Elvis Presley appeared in a black and white movie. In my opinion one of his best films, showing his potential of being a very good actor

1960
 
G.I. Blues
 
Tulsa McLean

Elvis is very funny in this film especially when he is babysitting!

1960 

Flaming Star
 
Pacer Burton

 
The famous Andy Warhol picture came from a still from this move - showing Elvis holding a knife.

1961
 
Wild in the country
 
Glenn Tyler

Blue Hawaii
 
Chad Gates

 
The soundtrack of this film was Elvis's most successful movie album. It was thought the formula of the movie must have been right - unfortunately a lot of the future films would follow in the same style, but cheaper. This is one of the best soundtracks with quality tracks, although "Ito Eats" could be a contender for the worst movie song, and it's in this one!

1962
 
Follow That Dream
 
Toby Kwimper

Very enjoyable film, again highlighting Elvis's brilliant comedy acting - one of my favourites and often overlooked
 

1962 

Kid Galahad
 
Walter Gulick/Kid Galahad

 
For this movie Elvis was trained to fight by a professional boxing coach. Charles Bronson appears in this film and has commented that it is the worst film of his career. He shouldn't have bothered taking the money. But money talks

1962 

Girls! Girls! Girls!
 
Ross Carpenter

 
His only movie to be nominated for a golden globe. The classic "Return to Sender" came from this film, so if anyone says all the movie songs were rubbish, point this one out!

1963
 
It Happened at the World's Fair
 
Mike Edwards

 
Kurt Russell uncredit movie debut. He is seen kicking Elvis in the shin. Much later Kurt Russell portrayed Elvis in "Elvis The Movie"

1963 

Fun in Acapulco
 
Mike Windgren
 
A highlight in this film is the song "Bossa Nova Baby"

1964
 
Kissin' Cousins
 
Josh Morgan / Jodie Tatum
 
Elvis Presley played two parts in this movie. He wore a wig to portray his blonde cousin. Check out some of the dance scenes - especially "Kissin' Cousin's" when you get to see "Elvis" who doesn't look anything like him! Oh the joy of the freeze frame!

1964 

Viva Las Vegas
 
Lucky Jackson
 

Elvis and Ann Margret had a love affair during making this film together and were seeing each other for a year after making the film. Their friendship lasted until Elvis passed away in 1977. Elvis always sent her flowers in the shape of a guitar during her opening nights in Vegas.

1964 

Roustabout
 
Charlie Rogers
 
Elvis performed many of his own stunts. There is a great Karate fight by Elvis, who had studied the art

1965
 
Girl Happy
 
Rusty Wells

Very enjoyable soundtrack to this film

1965 

Tickle me
 
Lonnie Beale / Panhandle Kid

 
The only Time Elvis did not record a movie soundtrack. All his songs were from his back catalogue - which certainly added something extra to the film. Quite a fun movie to watch and Elvis's comedy acting is just great!

1965 

Harum Scarum

Johnny Tyronne

Not a brilliant film. Elvis was disappointed as he thought he could play a Valentino character - he was let down by the low budget and poor script. It upset Elvis at the time who expected a good part to play.

1966
 
Frankie and Johnny
 
Johnny

This soundtrack is also enjoyable. Watchable film, but not great.

1966 

Paradise, Hawaiian Style
 
Rick Richards
 
Donna Butterworth's last picture - thank god! For me this film is almost unwatchable because of the terrible choice of this little kid. I know some people like her, but it's the 'over-the-top' sugary performance that does nothing for the film. Had I a gun I would shoot out the TV when she appears!

1966 

Spinout
 
Mike McCoy

 
President Lyndon B. Johnson  met Elvis on the movie set. It's an average film, but always worth watching when Elvis is there.

1967
 
Easy Come, Easy Go
 
Lt. (j.g.) Ted Jackson
 
USS Gallant, an ocean-going minesweeper appears in the film

1967 

Double Trouble
 
Guy Lambert

 
Annette Days only movie. She was working in London with no acting experience and whisked off to Hollywood! Elvis gave her a brand new car during the film!

1967 

Clambake
 
Scott Heyward / 'Tom Wilson'

 
The formular for the Elvis movies had by now being pretty much the same. But, even this film has it's highlights. "Hey, Hey, Hey" is a regular Elvis disco favourite - if you can, listen to the outtakes of this song, they are really funny! Not a fantastic soundtrack but a watchable film to while away an hour and half with Elvis. 

1968
 
Stay Away, Joe
 
Joe Lightcloud

Hear Elvis actually singing to a Bull, called Dominic! All-in-all a good film though. One of the one's you very rarely see on TV

1968 

Speedway
 
Steve Grayson
 
Nancy Sinatra co-starred with Elvis. Look out for the brilliant cafe where the chairs and seating are made from cars! "Let Yourself go" is a brilliant moment in the film. Elvis looks good in his 1968 (pre-comeback) look.

1968 

Live a Little, Love a Little
 
Greg Nolan
 
Albert, the Great Dane in the movie, was played by Elvis's own dog, Brutus. Elvis's dad appears in the movie. It was the first film Elvis would appear sharing a bed with a girl! (They had a board between them, so it escaped having an X rating!)

1969
 
Charro!
 
Jess Wade

The only Time Elvis Presley sported a beard on the big screen. Low production costs make this one of Elvis's poorer movies. I think Elvis would have suited this type of roll and the film could have been so much better. It is a different movie, compared to his other films. And one where you never see him singing in the movie.

1969 

The Trouble with Girls
 
Walter Hale

Quite a different Elvis film. Elvis appears in a white suit and a hat. This was the year he made his first appearance on stage to a paying audience. A highlight for me is "Clean up your own Backyard" sang in the movie. Would make a great video, if they ever wanted to release the track - but I'm sure they won't!

1969 

Change of Habit
 
Dr. John Carpenter

One of my favourite films (and not the usual Elvis film) Elvis has his hair styled differently for this movie. It features Mary Tyler Moore and the songs are great, although it's not full songs - but top quality ones. It's a more adult type movie and deals with living in a ghetto area - it even has a PG rating on my DVD! How cool is that?!

1970
 
Elvis: That's the Way It Is (documentary)
 
 
3rd Concert season in las Vegas. Fabulous film showing Elvis rehearsing and on stage. Check out the remade digitally enhanced film with extra footage.

1972
 
Elvis On Tour (documentary)

Digitally remastered film out on Blu Ray and DVD
 
 
Concert film; 1973 Golden Globe winner for Best Documentary film (it tied with Walls of Fire (1971)