Hounddog (2007)

A drama set in the American South, where a precocious, troubled girl finds a safe haven in the music and movement of Elvis Presley.

Director:

Deborah Kampmeier

Writer:

Deborah Kampmeier

Stars:

Dakota Fanning, David Morse, Piper Laurie

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dakota Fanning	...	Lewellen
Granoldo Frazier	...	Band Member D (as Grenaldo Frazier)
Isabelle Fuhrman	...	Grasshopper
Cody Hanford	...	Buddy
Piper Laurie	...	Grammie
Charlie Lucas	...	Band Member A
Herman McCloud	...	Band Member B
Chandler McIntyre	...	Buddy's Mother
David Morse	...	Daddy
Robin Mullins	...	Marge
Afemo Omilami	...	Charles
Tom Oppenheim	...	Mechanic
Tim Parati	...	Bartender
Blake Rayne	...	Elvis (as Ryan Pelton)
Robin Wright	...	Stranger Lady (as Robin Wright Penn)

Storyline

A drama set in the American South, where a precocious, troubled girl finds a safe haven in the music and movement of Elvis Presley.

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Plot Keywords:

child rape | grandmother granddaughter relationship | father daughter relationship | child smoking cigarette | child's point of view | 

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Taglines:

Gotta always somehow make good outta what can poison you.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for a disturbing sexual assault of a young girl, and brief sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 January 2007 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hounddog

Filming Locations:

North Carolina, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,750,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$13,744, 21 September 2008, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$128,092, 7 December 2008

Company Credits

Production Co:

Deerjen Films, Full Moon Films, The Motion Picture Group

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR (Dolby 5.1)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Isabelle Fuhrman's film debut.

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Goofs

Elvis Presley's appearance singing "Houndog" on the Milton Berle Show took place on June 5, 1956. Several of the vehicles used in the movie were newer than this. The pink Desoto (or Dodge) was probably a 1956, but it's not likely that a rural Alabama woman would be driving a new car. The tow truck used to tow the Desoto was a 1957 at the oldest, and it was quite beat up. The red Pontiac at the Elvis concert was a 1959.

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Quotes

Lewellen: I can't shake no more.
Charles: You don't have to shake. If you stand still, you can reach deeper into the sound.
Lewellen: I can't sing.
Charles: It's hidin' in the dark, Lewellen. Stand still and reach down deep.
Lewellen: [singing slowly] You ain't nothin' but a hound dog, cryin' all the time. You ain't never caught a rabbit, and you ain't no friend of mine.

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Crazy Credits

The film has a 2008 copyright date in the credits, despite first being shown in early 2007.

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Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: The Best of Amy Poehler (2009)

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Soundtracks

I've Searched the Whole World Over
Written by Phyllis Otis (as Phillis Otis)
Performed by Big Mama Thornton
Courtesy of Geffen Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Dakota excellent again!

I saw the premiere back in 07 in Sundance yes some people booed and some walked out. Some people will fault the obvious metaphors but Dakota deserves a 10 for her performance like Morgan Freeman she can save movies and she does here. The 'controversy' was not founded in the least. I also believe it to be her best performance since man on fire I will of course not give a thing away about the film or what happens suffice it to say her character is someone you want to see win even with her flaws. One scene dares you to see her in a bad way but it never seemed to happen for me. The movie is set deep in the swamps of the south. The first scene in which Dakota's character propositions her friend was a shock for me to I wasn't all the way prepared for her slightly adult turn yet I realized that she was making a turn or step forward in her career.