Elvis always loved movies. In high school, he worked as an usher in a local theatre. Even after he started his singing career, he longed to be an actor as well. When music skyrocketed him to fame the dream of Hollywood suddenly came within reach. Elvis truly believed that being a successful actor would bring him longevity as a celebrity. As it turned out, his movie appearances combined most effectively with his unprecedented musical success to establish him as the single most important entertainer of our time.
Elvis Presley's first four films, Love Me Tender, Loving You, Jailhouse Rock & King Creole powerfully influenced the metamorphosis of popular entertainment in the 50's. This was a precious, fleeting time in Elvis' life and career - long before the tabloid image of the aging rock star. Barely out of his teens, Elvis burst onto the movie screen with formidable poise and conviction. He came across as moody and charismatic - a mix of sexual dynamite and enormous charm. Elvis was the rebel who instantly picked up where James Dean left off.
But the image of untamed youth that Elvis projected in his first four movies would soon be history. By the time he returned from the Army in 1960 to make GI Blues & Blue Hawaii, he was no longer the rebellious, anti-hero of just a few years before. His hair was shorter, his sideburns were gone - even his music was subdued. Elvis had definitely changed - and it showed.
During the 18 months that Elvis made his first four movies, he underwent and incredible transformation. In early '56 he was catapulted to fame with a string of smash hit records. By April, he had signed a movie deal. The filming of Love Me Tender didn't start until late August, however the picture was rushed into release by November.
With no time to spare, the second film, Loving You began shooting a few weeks after Christmas. Jailhouse Rock was in photography the following May. In between, there were chart-topping recordings and the controversial television appearance including the Ed Sullivan Show, which posted an unprecedented 82 share.
These rapid-fire events must have had a strong impact on the young entertainer. Things were happening more quickly than he could have ever imagined. Within this 18-month period starred in Love Me Tender and King Creole and his was inducted into the Army, Elvis evolved tremendously. He had gone form near obscurity to Hollywood superstar celebrity status. He had established Rock-n-Roll as the new music for a whole generation. He had acquired a mansion and a fleet of Cadillacs. He had the adoration of every teenage girl and the emulation of every teenage boy. And had established a unique & wildly popular persona for himself in motion pictures.
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