Jailhouse Rock (1957)
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79% of critics liked it
(14 reviews) -
72% of users liked it
(10,010 ratings)
One of the best of Elvis Presley's pre-Army films, Jailhouse Rock offers us the sensual, "dangerous" Elvis that had won the hearts of the kids and earned the animosity of their elders. Presley plays a young buck who accidentally kills a man while protecting the honor of a woman. Thrown… More One of the best of Elvis Presley's pre-Army films, Jailhouse Rock offers us the sensual, "dangerous" Elvis that had won the hearts of the kids and earned the animosity of their elders. Presley plays a young buck who accidentally kills a man while protecting the honor of a woman. Thrown into prison, Elvis strikes up a friendship with visionary fellow-con Mickey Shaughnessy. Shaughnessy suggests that Elvis perform in the upcoming prison show. Ol' swivel-hips scores a hit, and decides to stay in showbiz after his release. Together with pretty Judy Tyler (the former Princess Summerfall Winterspring on Howdy Doody, who would die in a horrible traffic accident shortly after completing this film), Elvis sets up his own record company. Alas, success goes to his head, and soon Elvis plans to ditch Tyler in favor of signing with a big-time label. Shaughnessy shows up long enough to punch out Elvis for his disloyalty; as a result, Elvis' vocal chords are damaged and he is unable to sing. Deserted by his flunkeys and hangers-on, Elvis learns the value of friendship and fidelity when Tyler and Shaughnessy stay by his side in his darkest hours. His voice restored, Elvis climbs back up the charts--but this time, he's a much nicer fellow, and a lot more committed to Tyler. Usually the musical numbers in a Presley picture (this one has a doozy, complete with chorus boys dressed as convicts!) are more compelling than the plot. Jailhouse Rock is a perfect balance of song and story from beginning to end; seldom would Elvis be so well showcased in the future. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Richard Thorpe
- Genres
- Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics
- In Theaters
- Nov 8, 1957 Wide
- Studio
- MGM Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Embora Presley fosse um péssimo ator, seu carisma e sua intensidade nos números musicais transformam este em seu melhor filme, já que, além de evitar as fórmulas que viriam a dominar seus longas, ele estabelece uma ótima química com Tyler.
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John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...the filmmakers are savvy enough to build their movie around music, much of it pure rock-and-roll. (HD DVD Edition)
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John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Even if the plot is thin, the characterizations are solid, and the music is some of Elvis's best.
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Sean Axmaker, MSN.com
Elvis delivered his definitive screen appearance in this budget-minded black and white production, a dark reflection of the Loving You rise to fame.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This Deluxe Edition, commemorating 30th anniversary of Elvis's death (Aug 16), contains digitally remastered version of b/w film, theatrical trailer, a docu The Scene That Stole Jailhouse Rock, and commentary from Steve Pond, author of Elvis in Hollywood
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Elvis Presley
as Vince Everett
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Judy Tyler
as Peggy Van Alden
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Mickey Shaughnessy
as Hunk Houghton
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Vaughan Taylor
as Mr. Shores
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Jennifer Holden
as Sherry Wilson
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Dean Jones
as Teddy Talbot
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Anne Neyland
as Laury Jackson
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Dorothy Abbott
as Woman in Restaurant
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Peter Adams
as Jack Lease
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Robert Bice
as Bardeman TV Studio Manager
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George Cisar
as Jake the Bartender
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Fred Coby
as Bartender
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John Day
as Ken
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Francis De Sales
as Surgeon
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William Forrest
as Studio Head
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Percy Helton
as Sam Brewster
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Harry Hines
as Hotel Clerk
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John Indrisano
as Convict
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Walter Johnson
as Shorty
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Donald Kerr
as Photographer
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Frank Kreig
as Drunk
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S. John Launer
as Judge
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Tom McKee
as TV Director
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Carl Milletaire
as Drummond
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Gloria Pall
as Stripteaser
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Robin Raymond
as Dotty
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Grandon Rhodes
as Prof. August Van Alden
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Dick Rich
as Guard
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Hugh Sanders
as Warden
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Elizabeth Slifer
as Cleaning Woman
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Glenn Strange
as Mr. Simpson
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Katherine Warren
as Mrs. Van Alden
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Dan White
as Paymaster
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Wilson Wood
as Record Engineer
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Mike Stoller
as Pianist
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William Tannen
as Record Distributor
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Don Burnett
as Mickey Alba
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The Jordanaires
as Musician
