Jailhouse Rock (1957)

79% of critics liked it
(14 reviews)
73% of users liked it
(9,822 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 into prison,… 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

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Richard Thorpe
Genres: Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics

In Theaters: Nov 8, 1957 Wide
On DVD: Nov 6, 2007
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

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.
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)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
Even if the plot is thin, the characterizations are solid, and the music is some of Elvis's best.
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.
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
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Just a notch above the average Elvis vehicle (which is not very high), this early b/w effort (Elvis' third feature) suffers from a silly prison yarn but is ultimately saved by the rendition of some good rocking tuners like the title song.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Elvis rocks.
Jake Euker, F5 (Wichita, KS)
An early, lively Elvis musical, aesthetically light years from the tacky one-offs, such as Spinout that followed. The title number... well, it rocks.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
singing carries the day, just as we'd expect in an Elvis movie

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Along with King Creole Elvis' best film, admittingly not a high bar to crest, he is in prime condition and great voice. Very sensual and surrounded by a quality production Elvis turns in a good performance as a surly up and comer. A film with an actual story unlike his later… More
Along with King Creole Elvis' best film, admittingly not a high bar to crest, he is in prime condition and great voice. Very sensual and surrounded by a quality production Elvis turns in a good performance as a surly up and comer. A film with an actual story unlike his later movies like Spinout or Harum Scarum this gives you an idea what kind of actor he might have become if the Colonel had not thrust him into one piece of junk after another. Judy Tyler although her part is limited gives a performs well as a self possessed young woman who helps put Elvis on the road to success, sadly she died in a car wreck before the film's premier.
AJ V

This is my favourite Elvis movie, the story is cool and more realistic than his other movies. Plus, I love the songs. If you only see one Elvis movie, see this one.
Tim S

Fantastic movie musical, even showcasing some great acting talent from The King.
Ken S

This movie opens with Elvis beating a man to death with his bare hands... and then he becomes a pop sensation... How can you not love it?
vieras e

Loved the music, was horribly annoyed by the character and the way he seemed to get whatever he wanted despite being a total jerk.
Lafe F

An unrealistic portrayal of jail life.
Michael G

One of the better Elvis movies. If Elvis kills a man with his bare hands you better recognize.
Kevin L

This movie has some great music! However Elvis Presely's chareacter was such an ASS! I mean I wanted to just give him a beat down. He was one cocky son of a bitch. It seemed like everything he wanted he got. The movie starts out with Elvis in a bar. From there he gets into a bar… More
This movie has some great music! However Elvis Presely's chareacter was such an ASS! I mean I wanted to just give him a beat down. He was one cocky son of a bitch. It seemed like everything he wanted he got. The movie starts out with Elvis in a bar. From there he gets into a bar fight,ends up killing the man and is sentenced to 14 months in prison. From the title of the movie I would have thought the whole movie took place in the Jail,but nope. In fact only about the first 25 mins take place in the Jail. The rest of the movie is Elvis trying to get a record deal. So while this movie was entertaining,due mostly to Elvis's great singing ablilties, I dont think its even close to a masterpiece. Lets just say that the characters arent ones that I would want to make friennds with... Peggy Van Alden: I think I'm going to just hate you! Vince Everett: No, you ain't gonna hate me. I ain't gonna let you hate me.
Sarah P

Some witty moments, but overall, doesn't do it for me in the least.

Read all 9 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Elvis Presley as Vince Everett

            Judy Tyler as Peggy Van Alden

            Mickey Shaughnessy as Hunk Houghton

            Vaughan Taylor as Mr. Shores

            Jennifer Holden as Sherry Wilson

            Dean Jones as Teddy Talbot

            Anne Neyland as Laury Jackson

            Dorothy Abbott as Woman in Restaurant

            Peter Adams as Jack Lease

            Robert Bice as Bardeman TV Studio Manager

            George Cisar as Jake the Bartender

            Fred Coby as Bartender

            John Day as Ken

            Francis De Sales as Surgeon

            William Forrest as Studio Head

            Percy Helton as Sam Brewster

            Harry Hines as Hotel Clerk

            John Indrisano as Convict

            Walter Johnson as Shorty

            Donald Kerr as Photographer

            Frank Kreig as Drunk

            S. John Launer as Judge

            Tom McKee as TV Director

            Carl Milletaire as Drummond

            Gloria Pall as Stripteaser

            Robin Raymond as Dotty

            Grandon Rhodes as Prof. August Van Alden

            Dick Rich as Guard

            Hugh Sanders as Warden

            Elizabeth Slifer as Cleaning Woman

            Glenn Strange as Mr. Simpson

            Katherine Warren as Mrs. Van Alden

            Dan White as Paymaster

            Wilson Wood as Record Engineer

            Mike Stoller as Pianist

            William Tannen as Record Distributor

            Don Burnett as Mickey Alba

            The Jordanaires as Musician
See full cast

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