Jailhouse Rock (1957) 6.3
After serving time for manslaughter, young Vince Everett becomes a teenage rock star. Director:Richard Thorpe |
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Jailhouse Rock (1957) 6.3
After serving time for manslaughter, young Vince Everett becomes a teenage rock star. Director:Richard Thorpe |
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| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Elvis Presley | ... | ||
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Judy Tyler | ... | |
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Mickey Shaughnessy | ... | |
| Vaughn Taylor | ... |
Mr. Shores
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Jennifer Holden | ... |
Sherry Wilson
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| Dean Jones | ... |
Teddy Talbot
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Anne Neyland | ... |
Laury Jackson
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Vince Everett is serving a one-year jail sentence for manslaughter. While in the big house, his cellmate, a former country singer, introduces him to the record business. Everett takes to it so well that he decides to become a singer when he gets out. However, he is quickly disillusioned by the record business. But with the help of a new friend, he decides to form his own label, and soon becomes an overnight sensation. But when he becomes a superstar, will his desire for fame and money cause him to forget the people who got him there? Written by <jgp3553@excite.com>
Vince (Elvis Presley) is a backwoods boy with a HUGE temper problem. One day he beats a guy to death in a fight and is sent to prison. While there he's cell mates with Hunk (Mickey Shaughnessy) who gets him interested in playing the guitar and singing. When released Vince makes it big with the help of Peggy (Judy Taylor)...but becomes an obnoxious jerk. He treats Hunk and Peggy like dirt. Will he come around and treat them better? What do you think?
I tuned into this just to watch the "Jailhouse Rock" number. I'm not a fan of Presley but I heard this was good. I was surprised at how much I liked it. All the songs are good and the "Jailhouse Rock" number is just stunning--easily one of the best choreographed musical numbers ever caught on screen. Taylor is pretty and just charming in her role (sadly she died right after completing this) and Shaughnessy offers strong support. Also it's well-directed in Cinemascope.
The only debits are the overly familiar story and Presley's acting. He was a great singer but no actor--sometimes it was almost embarrassing to watch how badly he played scenes. But it's still worth watching for the songs and the other performances. I give this a 7.