Jailhouse Rock

• Year: 1957
• Country: USA
• Director: Richard Thorpe
• Starring: Elvis Presley, Judy Tyler, Mickey Shaughnessy

If Love Me Tender introduced the world to Elvis the actor, then Loving You declared that a star was born. In Jailhouse Rock, Elvis’ third feature film, a star becomes a legend. Using a plot that is nearly identical to Loving You (rags to riches – you know the drill), the film knocks it out of the park by having a vastly superior script. Elvis is also clearly more comfortable in his role by now, using his trademark charm and humor to make all of us understand that he is the future of popular entertainment: rock ‘n roll is here to stay. Out with the old, in with the new. When Elvis tries to kiss his girl and she asks how he thinks such cheap tactics would work with with her and Elvis replies “That ain’t tactics, honey. It’s just the beast in me”, it doesn’t even come off as corny. The music, the moves, the rebellious anger – it’s all here. He just owns it. The movie is really funny, too, with some extremely sarcastic and surprisingly dry humor. The first real rock ‘n roll movie ever made? Probably not, but certainly one of the best and most important ones. This is where Elvis becomes The King. Tragically, co-star Judy Tyler died in a car accident just a few days after filming and as a result Elvis refused to watch the completed film.