This nicely packaged collection is separated into two discs. The first disc showcases his three more dramatic outings as an actor that might surprise the viewer with some wonderful results. While disc two delivers the more formulaic films you come to remember as a genre all of its own that could just be called the “Elvis Film”. Along the way we have a ton of familiar faces popping up as his co-stars like Charles Bronson, Tuesday Weld along with ones that would later make a splash on TV. From “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father” and “The Incredible Hulk’s” Bill Bixby, “The Beverly Hillbillies” Donna Douglas, “I Dream of Jeannie’s” Barbara Eden, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show’s” Ed Asner and even. “M*A*S*H ‘s” Harry Morgan. The Elvis films were full of rising stars and these are just the ones included in this seven film set.

Of course there’s no better introduction then starting with his debut. The beautifully filmed B&W western “Love Me Tender” would be the only film in his career that he didn’t receive top billing. Originally titled “The Reno Brothers”, “Love Me Tender “is based on a true story that takes place at the end of the American Civil War. Elvis plays Clint, the brother that stayed behind to help out at home as his Vance (Richard Egan) fights in the Confederate Army. The title was changed to help reap in the success of his latest single that he performed on the Ed Sullivan Show during a break in filming.

The two remaining films showcasing his dramatic side are “Flaming Star” and “Wild in the Country”. They were both released after one another in 1960 and 1961. “Flaming Star” is also a western and is directed by Don Siegel who would later go on to direct many Clint Eastwood films, including the first “Dirty Harry”. “Flaming Star” takes place during the tumultuous time of the old west when man doesn’t have to just fight against the elements of nature but the raids against the “Indians” as well. Elvis plays “Pacer Burton” a mix-blood in a world that looks at him as their enemy and this film is often cited as his best dramatic work. Elvis next plays a loss soul in “Wild in the Country”. The film starts out as his character Glenn Tyler gets probation after badly injuring his brother in a drunken brawl. Marked as a no good troublemaker, his character becomes falsely accused of various crimes including an affair with his counselor. The film although a little over dramatic and “hokey” at times, shows Elvis’s acting chops. After “Wild in the Country”, Elvis wouldn’t take a turn towards the dramatic for another seventeen films.

Disc two is more of what we think of as far as the “Elvis Films”. These four films showcase the Elvis musical formula of comedy, songs and a nonsensical plot that weaves through it. Elvis plays a wealthy oilman’s son who trades places with a water-ski instructor to find what it’s like with the common folk in “Clambake”. “Follow That Dream” tells the story of a family that takes a wrong turn, runs out of gas and gets stranded on a new highway on the coast of Florida on their way to visit relatives. The family learns that the land they are on does not have a deed and decides to take up camp and call it their own. With the unhappy locals trying to find a way to remove them, they decide to improvise and start a fishing business. Based on the satirical novel Pioneer, Go Home! by Richard Powell, the film has a halfway medium with the Elvis formula.

Next up we have “Frankie and Johnny” where Elvis plays Johnny and The Beverly Hillbillies Donna Douglas plays his girlfriend who are performers on a riverboat. However there’s one problem, the boat also has a casino and Johnny’s life has become "one great big roulette wheel." When a gypsy tells him his good luck charm is a redhead he sets out to find her. Problem number two, Frankie is as blonde as they come and as jealous. The story is based on the very folk song the film is named after. Of course it’s a Elvis movie and other than his debut, this film doesn’t have the ending the song describes and Frankie and Johnny live happily ever after.

Finally we come to our final film in the collection. Although a remake of the 1937 film of the same name staring Edward G. Robinson, Bette Davis, and Humphrey Bogart, “Kid Galahad” is every bit the Elvis formula with interchangeable plots and songs that could be used in over a dozen of his other films. However, many consider this as the best of those films with Elvis at the top of his singing, acting and as the title suggests – fighting best. Elvis plays ex-G.I. Walter Gulick, who back in the real world looks forward to a peaceful life working on cars in the Catskills region of New York. However, life has different plans when he comes to a lady’s defense and knocks out one of the local boxing promoter’s top fighters. Needing the money, Walter takes an offer to fight for real in the ring. However Walter soon learns this will not be a easy fight in the ring or out of it.

Extras

This collection appears to offer all the same features that were released with the films when they were originally released on DVD. “Love Me Tender” is the disc to go to for all the bonus material. Here you will find a commentary track by Elvis historian Jerry Schilling. The commentary track is definitely worth a listen in future viewings of the film. There are also several featurettes including Elvis Hits Hollywood, The King and the Colonel and Love Me Tender: The Birth and Boom of the Elvis Hit. All three of these are great and full of information and background on the film “Love Me Tender” and his overall up and down movie career. There is also a stills gallery and several theatrical trailers including a Spanish language version.

It’s too bad the rest of the films weren’t given the same treatment as “Love Me Tender”. All the rest only include theatrical trailers except “Follow That Dream,” that gives you an option of widescreen or fullscreen viewing options and “Flaming Star” that offers an additional Portuguese language version trailer.

Write Comment
Name:	Guest
Title:
Comment:
Code:*

Powered by AkoComment 2.0!