/ Zhang Ziqing
The rock icon saw acting as the natural next step in his music career, but was quickly disappointed by the repetitive cookie-cutter roles.
rock icon Elvis Presley made 31 films between 1956 and 1969, 27 of which were made in the 1960s. Almost all of Presley's movies are box office hits, making him, his agent and the studio a lot of money. However, these films were met with harsh ridicule, and Presley dismissed most of them. After leaving Hollywood , he said privately: "It's just that Hollywood has the wrong impression of me, I know, nothing can be said.
Elvis Presley was killed by guards Carl Sacks (left) and Hubby Kerns (right) in custody as Warden Hugh Sanders prepares to be sentenced for causing a prison riot in a scene from the 1957 film "Prison Rock".
When did Elvis go to Hollywood?
By 1956, Elvis Presley had become a musical phenomenon. Among screaming, adoring fans, he ushered in a new era of rock and roll. He set records, and his TV appearances were ratings Putting Presley in a movie was the next logical step.
Presley was excited about Hollywood. He grew up watching movies, inspired by singers who turned successful, and dreamed of being a movie star. He told Life magazine: "I want to be a good actor because you can't build an entire career just by singing. Look at Frank Sinatra. It wasn't until he added acting to singing that he found himself downhill.
Presley's first screen test took place in April 1956. It didn't show much raw acting flair, but that didn't stop his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, from striking a deal with Paramount Studios. The contract also preserves Presley's rights to work with other film studios.
Presley made his debut in the civil war western Love Me Tender (1956). He took the job very seriously, memorizing the entire script before filming. The film was a hit and was soon followed by other films, including Prison Rock (1957).
Elvis sings in "G.I. Blues " (1960)
Elvis leaves Hollywood for the Army
In 1957, US Army called up Presley. He was able to delay his enlistment to complete the Creole King, and in this film he portrays a young singer who must overcome dire circumstances such as poverty and organized crime.
Presley worried that entering the military would damage his career. His manager Parker assured the star: "Elvis, you have unreleased records and a movie. We can expand what we have. Even if there will be a dark period, once you're gone, it's only going to be Double your demand for records and movies.
In March 1958, Presley began serving in the military. At the same time, his films helped him stay in the public eye. Creole King in 1958 Released and then re-released with Love Me Tender in 1959. While Presley was in Germany, he was given the script for his next film, G.I. Bruce (1960). Producer Hal Wallis also arranged for footage to be shot in Germany, although Presley himself did not shoot any scenes.
Elvis on a poster for "King Creole" (1958)
zAfter Presley was discharged from the hospital in 1960, Parker wanted the star to focus on film, which paid the most. The only question is: what kind of movie is Presley going to make? He declared his excellence well in Creole Kings.
Costa Walter Matthau later said, "He was smart enough to understand what a character was and how to be himself through the story." , in which Presley played a character written for Marlon Brando and played a mixed-race white and Indian man who did a great job. After "Flaming Star," Presley said, "I wanted to do a few more serious roles. Because my ambition was to be an actor who was constantly improving.
However, it wasn't like the Fire Star came out the same year. The G.I. Blues were as successful as they were. Parker therefore encouraged Presley to focus on the successful film formula that required him to sing in various exotic locations; this led to the huge success of Blue Hawaii.
Elvis vs. Disappointed by his film
Elvis Presley on the set of "Girls, Girls, Girls," directed by Richard Thorpe.
Presley Knows Girls! Girls! Girls! (1962) is not a great movie, known as his film "Travel". He wanted better roles, but Parker reportedly turned down parts in movies like West Side Story and Midnight Cowboy. However, Presley never took acting lessons, maybe Also not fully focused on changing the arc of his career.
Presley continues to appear in formulaic films for which studios pay him handsomely. He makes $500,000 or more per photo , and received a percentage of the net profit. The lacklustre performance of "Kissing Cousins," starring Presley, showed that even in a hurry, the Elvis movie could make money. The film was sold within 17 days by a man nicknamed The filming was done with the support of the producers of "Fast King".
While still part of the "Elvis genre", Viva Las Vegas (1964) was a higher quality film. However, that shot For a long time, this cut into the profits of the film. After that, Parker pushed the production of short films, which only took two or three weeks.
This led to films like Harum Scarum (1965), which exhibitors considered "Prey" "Slee's Worst Movie To Date", and there's no Talking Camel that Parker tried to add to the movie that failed. Still, being seen as a bad movie didn't stop it from making money.
Elvis movies make Hollywood money
Presley's films are doing so well that they saved the studio's allies from bankruptcy. Producer Wallis also said that Presley's films are funding more artists. Presley hate to hear this but he needs hollywood money to fund his way of life.
Hollywood made Presley in other ways compromising his artistic integrity. While he made some non-movie records his big Part of his musical talent was used to create sub-par song scores. He stopped performing live around 1961.
z0 zrock music changed in the 1960s with the Beatles , the Beach Boys and Bob Dylan , and Presley's creativity got stuck.
In 1965, Presley met the Beatles. In one version of their encounter, John Lennon asked, "Why don't you go back and make rock records?" Presley replied, "It's my movie schedule. Too tight.
cat King in"A Change of Habits" (1969)
Why did Elvis stop acting?
By 1968, box office receipts had declined as audiences finally got tired of Presley's low-quality films. Presley, unhappy with his Hollywood career, He told Parker that he wanted to refocus on music. In December 1968, Presley's TV Christmas special showcased the talent and musical prowess he had initially become a star.
"Changing Habits" (1969) is Presley 's last feature film. He later starred opposite Barbra Streisand in A Star Is Born (1976), but the role failed. Not sure what went wrong; in one of the stories Version in which Parker broke his deal by making unreasonable demands.
Presley spent much of the 1970s singing to a faithful crowd. Presley died on August 16, 1977 at the age of 42. The time he spends in Hollywood, for better or worse, is one of the ways he survives.
