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Exploring the Cinematic Reign of the King: Top Elvis Presley Films
While globally renowned as the undisputed King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley also carved a significant path in cinema, captivating audiences across 31 feature films from 1956 to 1969. Although many of these Elvis movies adhered to a familiar narrative – romance, melodies, and a cheerful conclusion – several performances showcased his versatility and ventured beyond the expected. Variety Magazine undertook the task of ranking the top 10 Elvis Presley films, and we delve into their selection, spotlighting the five best Elvis films, ranging from Western-inspired experiments to vibrant pop musicals and compelling dramas.
5. Flaming Star (1960)
In Flaming Star, Elvis Presley embodies Pacer Burton, a character caught between worlds as the son of a white settler and a Kiowa mother. The film unfolds as tensions escalate between settlers and Native American tribes, forcing Pacer to confront his divided heritage. This marked Presley’s second foray into dramatic roles, and it stands as a notable endeavor in serious acting.
Director Don Siegel, acclaimed for Dirty Harry and Invasion of the Body Snatchers, deliberately minimized the conventional musical elements. Limiting the soundtrack to just two songs – one during the opening credits and another resembling a folk ballad – Siegel encouraged Elvis to explore a deeper emotional range than previously exhibited.
According to Stuart M. Kaminsky’s 1974 biography, Don Siegel: Director, the role of Pacer was initially conceived for Marlon Brando. Siegel commented, “Presley delivered a commendable performance. However, the film’s underappreciation, in my view, stems partly from the audience’s predisposition to seeing Elvis Presley, the icon, rather than acknowledging his acting.”
Despite a lukewarm reception at the box office, Flaming Star garnered some of the most favorable reviews of Elvis’s acting career and was groundbreaking for its exploration of complex racial themes – a rarity within his filmography.
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4. Blue Hawaii (1961)
Releasing during the zenith of Elvis‘s fame, Blue Hawaii cemented the blueprint for the quintessential “Elvis movie“. He stars as Chad Gates, a discharged Army veteran who opts for a relaxed existence as a tour guide, diverging from his family’s pineapple business on their Hawaiian estate.
Filmed on location in Oahu, the movie presented a vivid, Technicolor portrayal of Hawaii shortly after it attained statehood. The soundtrack featured 14 songs, notably ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love,’ which evolved into one of Elvis’s signature ballads, extensively covered across musical genres.
Despite a simple plot, Blue Hawaii achieved immense commercial success, ranking as the 10th highest-grossing film in the U.S. in 1961 and initiating a series of travel-themed Elvis films. While critiqued for its uncomplicated narrative, the film’s infectious charm and appealing visuals captured the essence of the early 1960s.
3. Jailhouse Rock (1957)
Securing the third position is Jailhouse Rock, one of Elvis‘s earliest and most celebrated ventures. The film centers on Vince Everett, a construction worker incarcerated for involuntary manslaughter, who discovers singing through a fellow inmate and transforms into a self-centered pop sensation upon release. The narrative subtly mirrors Elvis‘s journey as a teen idol, albeit with an added anti-hero dimension.
The title track’s performance is lauded as a cinematic pinnacle in musical sequences. Choreographed by Alex Romero and filmed in a single day, the ‘Jailhouse Rock’ segment showcases Presley’s dynamic solo dance alongside backup dancers on a stark prison set.
Beyond its musical spectacle, Jailhouse Rock reveals Elvis embracing a darker, more intricate character. It also signified a cultural shift, depicting rock ‘n’ roll as rebellious and potentially subversive. Despite initial censorship concerns, the film triumphed at the box office and secured the 497th spot on Empire Magazine’s 2008 list of the 500 greatest movies ever.
Fun fact: The film’s soundtrack preceded the movie release, becoming an instant chart-topper and the first in Elvis’s career to achieve this feat.
2. Viva Las Vegas (1964)
Viva Las Vegas reigns as the quintessential Elvis movie, recognizable even to those unfamiliar with his filmography. Elvis Presley stars as Lucky Jackson, a race car enthusiast striving to finance a new engine while pursuing a romance with Rusty Martin, a swimming instructor portrayed by Ann-Margret.
The palpable chemistry between Elvis and Ann-Margret, both on and off-screen, elevated Viva Las Vegas among his cinematic works. Director George Sidney, renowned for Anchors Aweigh and Bye Bye Birdie, capitalized on their synergy, expanding Ann-Margret’s screen time and infusing the movie with vibrant energy.
A signature moment is the title song performance, executed by Elvis in a continuous shot, confidently navigating a Vegas showroom set. The song became intrinsically linked to Presley and was later adopted as an anthem for Las Vegas itself.
While narratively straightforward, the film achieved commercial success and is celebrated as a highlight in Presley’s musical-comedy film repertoire.
1. King Creole (1958)
Crowned as the best Elvis film of all time, King Creole was helmed by Michael Curtiz, the acclaimed director of classics like Casablanca and The Adventures of Robin Hood. Presley embodies Danny Fisher, a brooding New Orleans teenager who gains recognition as a nightclub vocalist but becomes entangled with a menacing gangster (Walter Matthau).
Adapted from Harold Robbins’ novel A Stone for Danny Fisher, the film relocated the setting from Brooklyn to the French Quarter. Largely filmed in New Orleans, it impeccably captures the city’s jazz-infused ambiance, unmatched by any film of its era. Presley’s opening song, ‘Crawfish’, is a duet performed from a balcony at dawn – a reflective, serene piece contrasting his typically energetic stage presence.
King Creole garnered acclaim upon its release, not only for its soundtrack but also for Presley’s genuinely compelling acting. The ensemble cast included Dean Jagger, Carolyn Jones, Dolores Hart, and Vic Morrow.
Presley, only 23 at the time and at the peak of his early career just prior to his military service, reportedly considered King Creole to be his finest film achievement.