Jailhouse Rock (2007)

Slap my hand for being slow to get around to it but I have only recently seen JAILHOUSE ROCK for the first time in fact at the 25th anniversary of his passing.

Elvis's acting is nothing less than superb in this film. It shows how gifted an actor he REALLY was and how insultingly poor most of the latter scripts were, to effectively lower a talented actor to the level of the writers plots. (The quality of many movie songs is also an insult. I can only have nightmares about any songs that may have not have been good enough to made the cut.)

JAILHOUSE ROCK reminded me what a phenominal "mover" Elvis was, in the league of the finest dancers or athletes. Sadly the memory of his many gifts are often clouded by over the top impressionists and silly glitzy Vegas trinkets. The man was a formidable singing AND acting talent and this film is the proof.

My general feeling is pan and scan stinks and should be avoided at all costs. Enjoy the full width version and see exactly what the director captured as Elvis gave possibly his best film performance ever.

If only we could go back in time...keep Elvis clean of drugs, keep the scripts to this level, and put Col. Parker on a slow boat nowhere.

If I can dream.....

Only a year and 2 films after his first introduction into the film biz(Love Me Tender/1956), Elvis displays his flair for acting as he turns in a captivating performance in "Jailhouse Rock"(1957). The range of emotions as he goes from a happy-go-lucky laborer to a sullen and hardened ex-con(and I haven't even gotten to the musical performances yet) is simply amazing. To the delight of his fans, he would go on to make many more films singing and hip-twisting, over the years, but this one, for me is THE ONE!

He plays, Vince Everett, a nice young man who unintentionally killed someone during a brawl. While in the joint,he learns to play the guitar(after being told he had no talent....HA!), and when he gets out tries to sell himself as a musician, with no luck. He starts his own record label, to get himself out there, and along the way, becomes rich and famous. The problem is that his time in prison has hardened his heart and soul, and a few people get hurt along the way.

Needless to say the musical performances by Elvis are absolutly outstanding. The "Jailhouse Rock" number is so wonderfully choregraphed and filmed, it's a sight to behold. A couple of the other great songs we are treated to in this fabulous musical are, "Young and Beautiful", and "Treat Me Nice".

Directed by Richard Thorpe, the cast includes Mickey Shaughnessy, Dean Jones and Judy Tyler, as Peggy,the girl who hangs in there even after being used and abused by Elvis(can you blame her?)

This film is a cinematic treasure, one that may be enjoyed by film fans and music fans alike. Just try and get "Jailhouse Rock" out of your head after the view!

enjoy..Laurie

also recommended:

Studs Lonigan (1960)

Almost Famous/American Beauty

Buy Jailhouse Rock (2007) Now

One of Elvis' very best films ( I know that's not saying much but this IS a good one)...and its been upgraded substantially by Warner Bros from the previous edition.

the bonus featurette is okay...could have been much better with more artists and less "writers" as talking heads...Russ Tamblyn was a nice addition!

an all time Rock movie classic ...and from my standpoint a must own..

black and white and widescreen print.

Read Best Reviews of Jailhouse Rock (2007) Here

This was Elvis' finest film although he never would see it during his life due to the terribly tragic death of his co-star Judy Tyler. She recently wed after the film and was killed with her new husband in a car crash very shortly after the film wrap. Elvis, who was very fond of her, (she made only one other film-Bop Girl) vowed never to watch the film as it was too painful to see the late Ms Tylerso full of lifewith so short a time to live. It is sad that one of the few films worth viewing, was never seen by Elvis due to his deep and lifelong pain over Judy Tyler's tragic death. She was 23.

Want Jailhouse Rock (2007) Discount?

man this is the dvd to get!!!some genius at mgm decided to let the buyer get a copy of a classic elvis movie in both formats,widescreen (ratio 2:35 to 1) or flipside of the disc in (1:33 to 1),fills the whole screen of your television!!! now youve" got a dvd that is compatible for the future tv"s or the present tv's!!look for the release date of 2000!!!someone out there in distibution is really smart!great classic elvis movie prepared super smart! if you ever wanted a copy of the classic "jailhouse rock" on dvd then grab this one! this is the top of the line way to release a classic. please major studios,give us more of this,sales will definitely increase!!! thank you, thank you, thank you!! danny.

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