Jailhouse Rock (1957)

After serving time for manslaughter, young Vince Everett becomes a teenage rock star.

Director:

Richard Thorpe

Writers:

Guy Trosper (screenplay), Nedrick Young (story) (as Ned Young)

Stars:

Elvis Presley, Judy Tyler, Mickey Shaughnessy

2 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Elvis Presley	...	Vince Everett
Judy Tyler	...	Peggy Van Alden
Mickey Shaughnessy	...	Hunk Houghton
Vaughn Taylor	...	Mr. Shores
Jennifer Holden	...	Sherry Wilson
Dean Jones	...	Teddy Talbot
Anne Neyland	...	Laury Jackson

Storyline

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?

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Plot Keywords:

national film registry | singer | manslaughter | jail | fame | 

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Taglines:

Elvis in Action as Never Before!

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Musical

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 November 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

Le rock du bagne

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$400,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$4,000,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avon Productions (II)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Perspecta Sound encoding) (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film released about 4 months after Young and Beautiful, 24-year old, leading lady Judy Tyler's tragic death in the car crash.

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Goofs

Concerning the Laurel Records partnership, Shores mentioned that the "40 percent participant failed to telephone the 60 percent partner," i.e., Peggy failed to telephone Vince. However, Shores was a 9 percent partner in the firm, which left Vince with 51 percent of the company, not 60 percent.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Construction Worker: Here comes the sugar man.

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Alternate Versions

Also available in a computer colorized version.

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Connections

Featured in 100 Years at the Movies (1994)

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Soundtracks

Young And Beautiful
(uncredited)
Written by Abner Silver & Aaron Schröder
Performed by Elvis Presley

User Reviews

A pop culture time capsule from the late 1950's decade

"Jailhouse Rock" is an entertaining film which Elvis Presley, its star, carries all the way. Judy Tyler is gorgeous as a love interest and Mickey Shaughnessy is tough but goodhearted as his jailhouse buddy. They provide good support. This is an early film for Elvis, maybe only his second film after his debut in "Love Me Tender." This movie felt like a pop culture time capsule from the late fifties era with the clothes, the music and the cars. It is a forerunner of many Elvis films of the same type where Elvis sings, overcomes obstacles and gets the girl, and yet it has the charm and innocence often typical in this era. The concept is still fresh in 1957, and it shows in Elvis's performance which is good. The plot is a bit weak in places but passable. "Jailhouse Rock" features roughly half a dozen performances by Elvis and they all add to the fun. There are also one or two numbers by costar Mickey Shaughnessy and they also enhance the film. This is one of the more substantial Elvis Films and a good one to watch to introduce you to the phenomenon of Elvis Presley. Sadly, Elvis's lovely costar Judy Tyler was killed in an automobile accident before the film was released in theaters. It has been said that Elvis refused to watch "Jailhouse Rock" ever again after Judy's death. I give this movie an 82/100 points.