Ranking the Best Elvis Presley Movies
Iconic and legendary, Elvis Presley is one of the most easily recognizable entertainers of the 50s and 60s. He was famed for his voice, his hips, and his talent as an actor.
He led a glamourous life performing on stages across the globe and shooting movies in locations such as Las Vegas, Fort Lauderdale, and even a prison cell. His music will live on forever and feature in his best movies, so let’s check out some of the most popular.
Viva Las Vegas
This film has the high octane of car racing, the exhilaration of the Las Vegas strip, and some romance thrown in for good measure. Release in 1964, much of the success of this movie was down to the on-screen chemistry between Elvis and co-star Ann-Margaret.
Featuring such melodic classics as ‘The Yellow Rose of Texas’ and ‘The Eyes of Texas’, the story follows broke and down on his luck race car driver Lucky Jackson as he seeks paid employment as a waiter in a hotel.
A classic in the eyes of many with its tale of glitz and glamour, but Las Vegas isn’t the only destination for a great casino experience as you can now enjoy the thrill of Sin City from your phone by playing online at a live casino.
King Creole
Six years before Viva Las Vegas, King Creole was released. This one was directed by Michael Curtiz, a legend in his time. The film is based on the novel A Stone for Danny Fisher by Harold Robbins.
It charts the extraordinary overnight success of a street kid from New Orleans who earns the nickname of The King as he rises to fame as a singer. Of course, the path is never smooth, and he ends up mixed up in a gang war with Maxie Fields. Songs in the movie included ‘Hard-headed Woman’, ‘King Creole’, and ‘Trouble.’
Jailhouse Rock
This is a rather flamboyant and camp musical film that takes place in prison with Presley playing the role of Vincent Everett. Everett was caught up in a barroom brawl and ended up killing a man.
Naturally, this resulted in jail time, where he learns the love of music, leading to a new career as a Hollywood great. Fame goes to his head, and he spirals into big-headed and obnoxious until he is shown the error of his ways by his former cellmate. The biggest hit here is the title track – ‘Jailhouse Rock.’
Blue Hawaii
The eighth film made by The King, Blue Hawaii, is light and comedic with musical tendencies making it pure cheese. Presley plays ex-GI Chad Gates, who returns from service to become a beach bum, surfing, swimming, and loving his squeeze played by Joan Blackman.
In terms of Elvis music, ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love’ is perhaps the biggest hit from this movie, and of course, the title track, ‘Blue Hawaii’, is also pretty memorable.
Love Me Tender
In a film that features one of Presley’s biggest hit songs, he takes a backseat and does not play the leading role. The honor of leading man goes to Richard Egan, who plays Vance Reno, a confederate soldier who comes home to discover his girlfriend has married his brother (cue Elvis). Presley’s character meets an untimely end, and the former lovers head off into the sunset.
