What Was Elvis’ First Movie? 10 Things You May Not Know About His Films
Jailhouse Rock was Elvis’ third film, but the first to really let him cut loose with his mesmerizing energy and physical moves. Those moves — including the pelvic gyrations that already had some parents worried about the King’s influence on their kids — were the centerpiece of this musical drama’s iconic dance sequence set to the killer title tune, choreographed by Elvis himself and unlike anything seen in musicals before.
That song was one of several belted out in the film by Elvis that were penned by legendary songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller (who played the band’s pianist in the film), along with “Treat Me Nice,” “I Want to Be Free” and “(You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care.”
Altogether Elvis made 31 films; here are some facts about 10 of them you may not know.
1Elvis’ First Film Love Me Tender Had a Different Name
20th Century-Fox Film Corp./Everett Collection
His first theatrical movie was released on Nov. 15, 1956, and was originally titled The Reno Brothers. It was renamed after the song sold more than a million copies before the film even debuted.
2Always Mamma’s Boy
RB/Redferns/Getty
Elvis was very close to his mom Gladys and reportedly refused to die onscreen because his mom cried seeing his demise in Love Me Tender.
3Jailhouse Rock Causes Injury
Everett Collection
Elvis lost a cap on his tooth sliding down the pole in Jailhouse Rock’s most famous dance number and inhaled it. A surgeon had to part his vocal cords to remove it from his lungs, endangering his singing voice, which mimicked the film’s storyline.
4King Creole Was His Favorite
Everett Collection
King Creole’s Danny Fisher was Elvis’ favorite role. He almost didn’t get the role as James Dean and Marlon Brando were the first choices for the part. It also starred a pre-Addams Family fame Carolyn Jones as his love interest.
5Follow That Dream Influenced This Musician
Everett Collection
Tom Petty’s uncle, a crew member on Follow That Dream, took his then 11-year-old nephew to the set to watch Elvis film. Petty credits the encounter for inspiring him to go into music.
6Kissin’ Cousins Was Inspired by TV
Everett Collection
1964’s Kissin’ Cousins was inspired by the popularity of rural-themed TV shows such as The Beverly Hillbillies and Petticoat Junction. A year later, Elvis would make Frankie and Johnny with Hillbillies star Donna Douglas.
7Viva Las Romance
Everett Collection
Though Priscilla was living in his home, Elvis and Ann-Margret fell in love while shooting Viva Las Vegas and continued their romance for some time after filming ended. She became known as “the female Elvis.”
8Roustabout Carny Fun
Elvis did Roustabout when his famously controlling manager Colonel Tom Parker wanted him to do a film about carnies because Parker once was one.
9Harum Scarum Was a Tribute
Everett Collection
Elvis wanted to make Harum Scarum because he admired Rudolph Valentino. He liked his onscreen turban so much that he wore it home.
10Doubts About Clambake
Everett Collection
Though he made $1 million for 1967’s Clambake, he had second thoughts about the role and submitted a doctor’s excuse saying he had saddle sores to delay his arrival on set.
What was your favorite Elvis film? Have any fun trivia? Let us know in the comments!
Remind 
1950s Musicals
November 2020
Bright and brassy, toe-tapping musicals from the 1950s
Buy This Issue