Live a Little, Love a Little
Encyclopedia
Live A Little, Love A Little is a 1968 musical
comedy
starring Elvis Presley
. It was directed by Norman Taurog
, who had directed several previous Presley films. This was to be Taurog's final film. Shortly thereafter, he went blind. The film introduced the song "A Little Less Conversation
"; an alternative take of which would form the basis of a remix
that returned Presley to international music sales charts in 2002.
) on the beach near her beach front home. She assumes different names and personalities whenever the mood hits her. After having her dog, Albert, a Great Dane (which, by the way, was reportedly Elvis' real-life dog Brutus, although Priscilla Presley has stated that it was a trained dog hired for the film), chase Greg into the water when he insults her after not feeling anything towards her after they kissed, she invites him to stay at her home and later manages to make him lose his job and apartment after drugging him, which left him in a deep sleep for days. However, Bernice manages to find Greg another home, and he wants to pay her back. So he gets two full-time photographer jobs: one for a Playboy-like magazine and the other for a very conservative magazine. The two jobs are in the same building forcing Nolan to run from one job to the other without being detected. Greg now has to manage balancing the two conflicting jobs along with dealing with Bernice and her eccentric ways.
, and with a screenplay co-written by Greenberg, Live a Little, Love a Little, whose production titles were "Bumblebee Oh Bumblebee" and "Born Rich", was a departure from the standard Presley film of the period. It had a more mature tone than other Presley musicals, with coarse language, drug references, and an implied sexual encounter.
Unlike many previous films which involved most of his "location scenes" being filmed against a backdrop, Presley was able to film more scenes on location than usual; in and around Hollywood, along the Malibu coast, at Marineland
, and at the Los Angeles Music Center
. The film co-starred Michele Carey
, Don Porter
, Rudy Vallee
, and Dick Sargent
, and featured Presley's father, Vernon, in an uncredited cameo in one scene, and several of Presley's Memphis Mafia
friends, such as Red West
and Joe Esposito
, also appeared.
Released on October 23, 1968, the film failed to impress any critics. Due to a very poor performance on US release, the film was not released at all in many territories including the UK.
made with just a handful of musical numbers, the recording session of the four songs written for the film took place at Western Recorders
in Hollywood, California on March 7, 1968. The producer in nominal charge of the session, Billy Strange
, had worked with both Frank
and Nancy Sinatra
, and attuned to current trends in popular music
brought in a group of musicians outside of Presley's usual stable and written arrangements that went afield from Presley's usual sound. "Almost in Love" was given a late-night cocktail-jazz
quality, "Edge of Reality" was a piece of pseudo-acid rock
, and "A Little Less Conversation
" written by Strange and his new discovery who would write several more songs for Presley, Mac Davis
, bordered on funk.
"A Little Less Conversation" was released as a single
with "Almost in Love" on the b-side on September 3, 1968, RCA catalog 47-9610. It peaked at #69, while its b-side scraped into the Billboard Hot 100
at #95 independently. Over three decades later, a remix of "A Little Less Conversation" became a global #1 hit record
. "Edge of Reality" appeared on November 5, 1968, as the b-side to RCA single 47-9670 "If I Can Dream
," the song Presley used to close out his 1968 Christmas Special
. "Wonderful World," which played over the opening credits to the film, appeared on the compilation Elvis Sings Flaming Star
. All three tracks released on singles also appear on Command Performances: The Essential 60's Masters II.
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
comedy
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
starring Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
. It was directed by Norman Taurog
Norman Taurog
Norman Rae Taurog was an American film director, and screenwriter.Between 1920 and 1968, Taurog directed over 140 films, and directed Elvis Presley in more movies than any other director...
, who had directed several previous Presley films. This was to be Taurog's final film. Shortly thereafter, he went blind. The film introduced the song "A Little Less Conversation
A Little Less Conversation
"A Little Less Conversation" is a song written by Mac Davis and Billy Strange that was originally performed and written for American rock and roll icon Elvis Presley for the 1968 film Live a Little, Love a Little. When the song was released as a single with "Almost in Love" as the b-side, it became...
"; an alternative take of which would form the basis of a remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
that returned Presley to international music sales charts in 2002.
Cast
- Elvis Presley ... Greg Nolan
- Michele Carey ... Bernice
- Don Porter ... Mike Lansdown
- Rudy Vallee ... Penlow
- Dick Sargent ... Harry
- Sterling Holloway ... Milkman
- Celeste Yarnall ... Ellen
- Eddie Hodges ... Delivery Boy
- Joan Shawlee ... Robbie's Mother
- Mary Grover ... Miss Selfridge
Plot
Greg Nolan (Elvis Presley) is a newspaper photographer who lives a lavish and carefree life. That is, until he encounters an estranged, lovelorn woman named Bernice (Michele CareyMichele Carey
Michele Carey is an American actress. She was also a child piano prodigy and a model. Touted as a discovery of Howard Hawks, she made her film debut in Hawks' El Dorado , starring John Wayne and Robert Mitchum...
) on the beach near her beach front home. She assumes different names and personalities whenever the mood hits her. After having her dog, Albert, a Great Dane (which, by the way, was reportedly Elvis' real-life dog Brutus, although Priscilla Presley has stated that it was a trained dog hired for the film), chase Greg into the water when he insults her after not feeling anything towards her after they kissed, she invites him to stay at her home and later manages to make him lose his job and apartment after drugging him, which left him in a deep sleep for days. However, Bernice manages to find Greg another home, and he wants to pay her back. So he gets two full-time photographer jobs: one for a Playboy-like magazine and the other for a very conservative magazine. The two jobs are in the same building forcing Nolan to run from one job to the other without being detected. Greg now has to manage balancing the two conflicting jobs along with dealing with Bernice and her eccentric ways.
Background
Based on the 1965 novel Kiss My Firm But Pliant Lips by Dan GreenbergDan Greenberg
Daniel "Dan" Greenberg is an American politician. He was a Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2006 through 2011...
, and with a screenplay co-written by Greenberg, Live a Little, Love a Little, whose production titles were "Bumblebee Oh Bumblebee" and "Born Rich", was a departure from the standard Presley film of the period. It had a more mature tone than other Presley musicals, with coarse language, drug references, and an implied sexual encounter.
Unlike many previous films which involved most of his "location scenes" being filmed against a backdrop, Presley was able to film more scenes on location than usual; in and around Hollywood, along the Malibu coast, at Marineland
Marineland of the Pacific
Marineland of the Pacific was a public oceanarium and tourist attraction located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula coast in Los Angeles County, California, USA. Architect William Pereira designed the main structure. It was also known as Hanna-Barbera's Marineland during the late 1970s and early 1980s...
, and at the Los Angeles Music Center
Los Angeles Music Center
The Music Center is one of the three largest performing arts centers in the nation. Located in downtown Los Angeles, the Music Center is home to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theater, Mark Taper Forum and Walt Disney Concert Hall...
. The film co-starred Michele Carey
Michele Carey
Michele Carey is an American actress. She was also a child piano prodigy and a model. Touted as a discovery of Howard Hawks, she made her film debut in Hawks' El Dorado , starring John Wayne and Robert Mitchum...
, Don Porter
Don Porter
Donald Porter was an American actor who appeared in a number of films in the 1940s, including Top Sergeant and Eagle Squadron, but is perhaps best known for his role as Russell Lawrence, the widowed father of 15-year old Frances "Gidget" Lawrence in the 1965 ABC television series...
, Rudy Vallee
Rudy Vallée
Rudy Vallée was an American singer, actor, bandleader, and entertainer.-Early life:Born Hubert Prior Vallée in Island Pond, Vermont, the son of Charles Alphonse and Catherine Lynch Vallée...
, and Dick Sargent
Dick Sargent
Richard Stanford Cox , known professionally as Dick Sargent, was an American actor, notable as the second actor to portray Darrin Stephens on the television series Bewitched...
, and featured Presley's father, Vernon, in an uncredited cameo in one scene, and several of Presley's Memphis Mafia
Memphis Mafia
The "Memphis Mafia" was the nickname for a group of friends, associates, employees and "yes-men" whose main function was to be around Elvis Presley from 1954 until he died. Several filled practical roles in the singer's life. For instance, they were employed to work for him as bodyguards or on tour...
friends, such as Red West
Red West
Red West is an American actor, film stuntman and songwriter.West was born Robert Gene West in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Lois and Newton Thomas West. He was a close high school friend of rock and roll singer Elvis Presley. An excellent athlete and former U.S...
and Joe Esposito
Diamond Joe Esposito
Joe Esposito is a veteran author and publisher, who along with his long time business partner Daniel Lombardy, have several best selling books to their credit....
, also appeared.
Released on October 23, 1968, the film failed to impress any critics. Due to a very poor performance on US release, the film was not released at all in many territories including the UK.
Soundtrack
The second of Presley's five final movies during the 1960s1960s
The 1960s was the decade that started on January 1, 1960, and ended on December 31, 1969. It was the seventh decade of the 20th century.The 1960s term also refers to an era more often called The Sixties, denoting the complex of inter-related cultural and political trends across the globe...
made with just a handful of musical numbers, the recording session of the four songs written for the film took place at Western Recorders
United Western Recorders
United Western Recorders, often abbreviated to UWR, was a renowned recording studio complex in Hollywood, California, which became one of the most successful independent recording studios in the world in the late 1950s and 1960s....
in Hollywood, California on March 7, 1968. The producer in nominal charge of the session, Billy Strange
Billy Strange
William E. "Billy" Strange is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and actor.-Recordings and songwriting:...
, had worked with both Frank
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
and Nancy Sinatra
Nancy Sinatra
Nancy Sandra Sinatra is an American singer and actress. She is the daughter of singer/actor Frank Sinatra, and remains best known for her 1966 signature hit "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'"....
, and attuned to current trends in popular music
Popular music
Popular music belongs to any of a number of musical genres "having wide appeal" and is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. It stands in contrast to both art music and traditional music, which are typically disseminated academically or orally to smaller, local...
brought in a group of musicians outside of Presley's usual stable and written arrangements that went afield from Presley's usual sound. "Almost in Love" was given a late-night cocktail-jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
quality, "Edge of Reality" was a piece of pseudo-acid rock
Acid rock
Acid rock is a form of psychedelic rock, which is characterized with long instrumental solos, few lyrics and musical improvisation. Tom Wolfe describes the LSD-influenced music of The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Iron Butterfly, Big Brother & The Holding Company, Cream,...
, and "A Little Less Conversation
A Little Less Conversation
"A Little Less Conversation" is a song written by Mac Davis and Billy Strange that was originally performed and written for American rock and roll icon Elvis Presley for the 1968 film Live a Little, Love a Little. When the song was released as a single with "Almost in Love" as the b-side, it became...
" written by Strange and his new discovery who would write several more songs for Presley, Mac Davis
Mac Davis
Mac Davis is a country music singer, songwriter, and actor originally from Lubbock, Texas who has enjoyed much crossover success...
, bordered on funk.
"A Little Less Conversation" was released as a single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
with "Almost in Love" on the b-side on September 3, 1968, RCA catalog 47-9610. It peaked at #69, while its b-side scraped into the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
at #95 independently. Over three decades later, a remix of "A Little Less Conversation" became a global #1 hit record
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
. "Edge of Reality" appeared on November 5, 1968, as the b-side to RCA single 47-9670 "If I Can Dream
If I Can Dream
"If I Can Dream" is a song made famous by Elvis Presley, written by Walter Earl Brown and notable for its direct quotations of Martin Luther King, Jr. It was recorded by Presley in June 1968, two months after King's assassination...
," the song Presley used to close out his 1968 Christmas Special
Elvis Presley's '68 Comeback Special
Elvis, starring Elvis Presley, was the title of a 1968 United States television special. Sponsored by The Singer Sewing Machine Company, it aired on December 2, 1968 on the NBC television network...
. "Wonderful World," which played over the opening credits to the film, appeared on the compilation Elvis Sings Flaming Star
Elvis Sings Flaming Star
Singer Presents Elvis Singing Flaming Star and Others is the thirty-third album by Elvis Presley, released on RCA Records in stereo, PRS 279, in October 1968...
. All three tracks released on singles also appear on Command Performances: The Essential 60's Masters II.
Personnel
- Elvis PresleyElvis PresleyElvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
– vocals - B. J. Baker, Sally Stevens, Bob Tebow, John BahlerJohn BahlerJohn Bähler is an American vocalist, arranger, conductor, composer and producer.John Bähler is brother of Tom Bähler and husband of Janet Lennon .-Early career:...
– backing vocals - Joseph Gibbons, Neil LevangNeil LevangNeil LeVang is an American born musician who is best known from television's The Lawrence Welk Show, playing guitar, violin and banjo.-Early years:...
, Alvin CaseyAl Casey (rock & roll guitarist)Alvin W. Casey was an American guitarist. He was mainly noted for his work as a session musician, but also released records and scored three Billboard Hot 100 hits in the United States...
, Charles Britz – electric guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker... - Don Randi – pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
- Charles Berghofer, Larry KnechtelLarry KnechtelLawrence William "Larry" Knechtel was an American keyboard player and bassist, best known for his work as a session musician with such artists as Simon & Garfunkel, Duane Eddy, The Beach Boys, The Mamas & the Papas, The Partridge Family, The Doors, and Elvis Presley, and as a member of the 1970s...
– bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - Hal BlaineHal BlaineHal Blaine is an American drummer and session musician. He is most known for his work with the Wrecking Crew in California. Blaine played on numerous hits by popular groups, including Elvis Presley, John Denver, the Ronettes, Simon & Garfunkel, the Carpenters, the Beach Boys, Nancy Sinatra, and...
, Gary Coleman – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person .... - unknown horns and strings
Film music track listing
- "Wonderful World" (Doug Flett and Guy Fletcher)
- "Edge of Reality" (Bernie BaumBernie BaumBernie Baum was a songwriter who worked extensively with Elvis Presley. He grew up in New York City and later worked with Harvey Zimmerman and Florence Kaye. The majority of their songs were used in Presley's musicals. Their work was also credited in the American version of Kimba the White Lion...
, Bill Giant, Florence KayeFlorence KayeFlorence Kaye was a member of a song-writing trio that also included Harvey Zimmerman and Bernie Baum. She was born in New York City. She performed a radio show in Georgia and entertained troops for United Service Organizations...
) - "A Little Less ConversationA Little Less Conversation"A Little Less Conversation" is a song written by Mac Davis and Billy Strange that was originally performed and written for American rock and roll icon Elvis Presley for the 1968 film Live a Little, Love a Little. When the song was released as a single with "Almost in Love" as the b-side, it became...
" (Billy StrangeBilly StrangeWilliam E. "Billy" Strange is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and actor.-Recordings and songwriting:...
and Mac DavisMac DavisMac Davis is a country music singer, songwriter, and actor originally from Lubbock, Texas who has enjoyed much crossover success...
) - "Almost in Love" (Luiz BonfáLuiz BonfáLuiz Floriano Bonfá was a Brazilian guitarist and composer best known for the compositions he penned for the film Black Orpheus.-Biography:...
and Randy StarrRandy StarrRandy Starr is the stage name of Warren Nadel . He was educated at Columbia University where he took his undergraduate degree from Columbia College in 1951, and his DDS degree in dentistry from Columbia College of Dental Medicine in 1954...
)
Quotes
Celeste Yarnall, who played Ellen, recalled the making of the film and her impressions of Elvis Presley:- "I adored Elvis. When I met him for the first time he immediately put me at ease. We had to film our kissing first and neither of us heard the director say, 'Cut!' For me, it was love at first kiss! We became very good friends. He was warm and kind and full of love. He had this tremendous desire to please people. We watched the funeral of Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King, Jr.Martin Luther King, Jr. was an American clergyman, activist, and prominent leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. He is best known for being an iconic figure in the advancement of civil rights in the United States and around the world, using nonviolent methods following the...
together over lunch in his trailer. He cried. He really cared deeply. He was far more handsome in person with deep blue eyes and a Roman profile. He held jam sessions on the set and would play cars with George BarrisGeorge Barris (auto customizer)George Barris is a designer of custom cars.-Early history:George and his brother Sam were born in Chicago in the 1920s. After the deaths of their parents, they moved to Roseville, California as children to live with relatives. Both were good students, interested in drama, music, and design...
or play football with the 'boys' who traveled with him everywhere. He was truly 'The King.'"
DVD reviews
- Elvis – The Hollywood Collection (Kissin' Cousins/Girl Happy/Tickle Me/Stay Away, Joe/Live a Little, Love a Little/Charro!), Review by Stuart Galbraith IV at DVDTalk.com, September 11, 2007.