First of all this movie is definitely different than other Elvis movies I've watched.The majority of Elvis' other movies all seemed to focus on comedy with him being a playboy with swooning girls in bikini's and really corny dialog and plots. This movie takes on a more serious and dark tone. I've read a lot of other user reviews and critic reviews. Most of them praising Elvis' acting in this movie and I agree. Elvis is good in this movie, finally getting to stretch his acting chops in a more serious role. A shame that Elvis's agent was a total controlling idiot otherwise we may have seen some gold statues on Elvis' shelf. Elvis does sing and the songs are very nice but what's good is that the songs don't overshadow his acting.Even Walter Matthau praised his acting and was upset that he didn't get an Oscar nomination.
Now on to the movie itself , while Elvis shines , the movie does not. It is very slow paced and the plot itself rather unbelievable. Elvis plays a young man who is trying to find his place in life after getting kicked out of high school for fighting so he wont graduate. He has a destitute father and has to work to support him. He is a busboy in a club owned by a mobster Maxie Fields(Walter Matthau) - he sings one night and the owner of the King Creole-Charlie LeGrand(Paul Stewart) likes his singing so he hires him to sing.Of course he's a smash and now Maxie wants him to come back and sing at his club ,pretty much a sing for me or else thing. Then subplots of Maxies floozy Ronnie played by Adams Familys Morticia(Carolyn Jones)and a waitress named Nellie(Dolores Hart) ensue along with some street tough gang fights. It seems rather unbelievable that a wealthy mobster who owns half the city of New Orleans would go to such great lengths over a nightclub singer. That's where it loses me , the mob after a guy just to get him to sing in their nightclub? I think the movie is more about the mob leader Maxie's jealousy than actually giving a hoot about Elvis working in his club. The gist I see is Maxie jealous of Elvis sexually -esp since he knows Ronnie is obviously attracted to Elvis so he wants to keep Elvis in his sights and also to let others know that he can have/buy anyone he wants. Also Ronnie used to work for Charlie until Maxie bought her out.Notice how he treats her, like crap. I just got bored once it turned into an "If i cant have you then no one will" type movie. The ending of the movie is rather abrupt and wrapped up with Elvis singing a ballad. It could have been better with a more serious writer and script. 6 out of 10.
Now on to the movie itself , while Elvis shines , the movie does not. It is very slow paced and the plot itself rather unbelievable. Elvis plays a young man who is trying to find his place in life after getting kicked out of high school for fighting so he wont graduate. He has a destitute father and has to work to support him. He is a busboy in a club owned by a mobster Maxie Fields(Walter Matthau) - he sings one night and the owner of the King Creole-Charlie LeGrand(Paul Stewart) likes his singing so he hires him to sing.Of course he's a smash and now Maxie wants him to come back and sing at his club ,pretty much a sing for me or else thing. Then subplots of Maxies floozy Ronnie played by Adams Familys Morticia(Carolyn Jones)and a waitress named Nellie(Dolores Hart) ensue along with some street tough gang fights. It seems rather unbelievable that a wealthy mobster who owns half the city of New Orleans would go to such great lengths over a nightclub singer. That's where it loses me , the mob after a guy just to get him to sing in their nightclub? I think the movie is more about the mob leader Maxie's jealousy than actually giving a hoot about Elvis working in his club. The gist I see is Maxie jealous of Elvis sexually -esp since he knows Ronnie is obviously attracted to Elvis so he wants to keep Elvis in his sights and also to let others know that he can have/buy anyone he wants. Also Ronnie used to work for Charlie until Maxie bought her out.Notice how he treats her, like crap. I just got bored once it turned into an "If i cant have you then no one will" type movie. The ending of the movie is rather abrupt and wrapped up with Elvis singing a ballad. It could have been better with a more serious writer and script. 6 out of 10.