BEST ELVIS PRESLEY MOVIES
“Love Me Tender” (1956): Presley’s first movie role turned an average Civil War story into an event - and also got the picture’s title altered, thanks to one of the tunes he crooned.
“Loving You” (1957): Mirroring Presley’s own rise to stardom, this rags-to-riches drama boasts one of his most sensitive performances, before he entered the phase of having his songs hung on threadbare plots.
“Jailhouse Rock” (1957): The famous scene with Presley singing, and gyrating to, the title tune says it all about this classic. This is among the features Turner Classic Movies will show in a daytime marathon of Presley pictures Thursday, Oct. 5. “Flaming Star” (1960): Guided by director Don Siegel, who later turned
Clint Eastwood into Dirty Harry, Presley puts real effort into playing a man of two cultures that clash, putting him in a bind.
“Wild in the Country” (1961):
Presley and playwright Clifford Odets weren’t a typical combination, but credit was due the still-early movie star for being ambitious enough to tackle sophisticated material that would challenge even the most experienced actor.
“Blue Hawaii” (1961): You couldn’t hope for the islands to look lovelier than in this combination of Elvis showcase and travelogue, also intriguing for Presley raising his acting game opposite a veteran talent by the name of Angela Lansbury.
“Kid Galahad” (1962): Presley is sincere as a boxer who succeeds in the ring, though he desires a quieter life. “Fun in Acapulco” (1963): Presley in his prime; Ursula Andress, fresh off being the first “Bond girl”; Mexican locations. What’s not to like?
“Viva Las Vegas” (1964): Presley’s ultimate star vehicle gave him an ideal partner in Ann-margret and pretty much set the blueprint (he races cars!) for numerous other Elvis movies. “Roustabout” (1964): This arguably was the best of Presley’s efforts once he got into more of a cookie-cutter mode (he’s a cycle-riding carnival worker!) with his movies.
“Charro!” (1969): Commendably, Presley tried to turn his screen career around - but pretty late in the game - by not singing a note in this mature Western.