Loving You
Encyclopedia
Loving You is an American motion picture
directed by Hal Kanter
, released by Paramount Pictures
on July 9, 1957. The film stars Elvis Presley
, Lizabeth Scott
(in her final major film role) and Wendell Corey
. It is Presley's second movie, his first in Technicolor
and the first with top billing.
plays Deke Rivers, a delivery man who is discovered by publicist Glenda Markle (Lizabeth Scott
) and country-western musician Tex Warner (Wendell Corey
). Deke is a handsome young man with a fast car and even faster fists, but what really sets him apart is his voice and charisma. One day he's seen singing, and word quickly spreads of his talent throughout the small town in which he works.
Markle and Warner, believing in his potential, want to promote the talented newcomer to fame and fortune, giving him every break they feel he deserves. At first, Warner, a washed-up country music entertainer, sees Deke's addition to the act as merely a side act, and that Warner will return to the limelight. He learns the painful truth after Glenda tearfully tells him that the promoters she works with don't want Warner anymore...and that Deke is their only shot left at the big-time.
, he acted in a supporting role as part of a larger story for the only time in his film career. His second film, Loving You, set the precedent for the remaining two films he would make before going into the army
; Jailhouse Rock
and King Creole
. Each film would feature him playing a rising young singing star, and of the effects that fame has on him and the people around him.
Following the release of Love Me Tender Presley had complained that he felt uncomfortable playing a character so different to his own personality. Writer and director Hal Kanter
, who was working on a movie version of Mary Agnes Thompson's short story A Call For Mitch Miller, spent time with Presley in December 1956 to get a better understanding of his individuality as a person and performer. Using this research he was able to adjust his script to suit Presley's persona for the lead role.
The film originally had three working titles; Lonesome Cowboy, Something for the Girls, and Running Wild. The latter was used by Ed Sullivan
when Presley made his final appearance on his show. However, by the time Presley showed up for filming the title had been changed to match the Leiber & Stoller
song "Loving You". The script had been written to suit the inclusion of songs specifically written for the film, a practice that would continue throughout most of Presley's Hollywood career.
For his first role in Technicolor, Presley decided that he would look better on screen with dark hair. His screen idols, including Tony Curtis
, had dark hair and Presley had always admired their acting abilities and the way they looked on screen. He decided to dye his hair black and with a few exceptions, including his time in the U.S. Army, he would keep it dyed for the rest of his life.
Presley's parents, Gladys and Vernon, were both present during the filming of the final scene of the film and appeared on screen (and at one point, in the same frame, as their son) during the musical number. Following Gladys' death a year later, Presley insisted that he would never watch the film again because it would remind him too much of his mother.
Loving You premiered in Memphis on July 10, 1957 at the Strand Theater. Presley did not go to that showing, instead opting to take current girlfriend Anita Wood and his parents to a private midnight screening. The film opened nationally on July 30, 1957 and peaked at #7 on the Variety National Box Office Survey, staying on the chart for four weeks.
Presley reported for work on January 21 1957, and filming completed on March 8.
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
directed by Hal Kanter
Hal Kanter
Hal Kanter was a writer, producer and director, principally for comedy actors such as Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, and Elvis Presley , for both feature films and television...
, released by Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
on July 9, 1957. The film stars 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"....
, Lizabeth Scott
Lizabeth Scott
Lizabeth Scott is an American actress and singer widely known for her film noir roles.-Early life:She was born Emma Matzo in the Pine Brook section of Scranton, Pennsylvania, one of six children, to Ruthenian parents who had emigrated from Uzhgorod, in what is now Ukraine...
(in her final major film role) and Wendell Corey
Wendell Corey
Wendell Reid Corey was an American actor and politician.He was born in Dracut, Massachusetts, the son of Milton Rothwell Corey and Julia Etta McKenney . His father was a Congregationalist clergyman...
. It is Presley's second movie, his first in Technicolor
Technicolor
Technicolor is a color motion picture process invented in 1916 and improved over several decades.It was the second major process, after Britain's Kinemacolor, and the most widely used color process in Hollywood from 1922 to 1952...
and the first with top billing.
Synopsis
Elvis PresleyElvis 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"....
plays Deke Rivers, a delivery man who is discovered by publicist Glenda Markle (Lizabeth Scott
Lizabeth Scott
Lizabeth Scott is an American actress and singer widely known for her film noir roles.-Early life:She was born Emma Matzo in the Pine Brook section of Scranton, Pennsylvania, one of six children, to Ruthenian parents who had emigrated from Uzhgorod, in what is now Ukraine...
) and country-western musician Tex Warner (Wendell Corey
Wendell Corey
Wendell Reid Corey was an American actor and politician.He was born in Dracut, Massachusetts, the son of Milton Rothwell Corey and Julia Etta McKenney . His father was a Congregationalist clergyman...
). Deke is a handsome young man with a fast car and even faster fists, but what really sets him apart is his voice and charisma. One day he's seen singing, and word quickly spreads of his talent throughout the small town in which he works.
Markle and Warner, believing in his potential, want to promote the talented newcomer to fame and fortune, giving him every break they feel he deserves. At first, Warner, a washed-up country music entertainer, sees Deke's addition to the act as merely a side act, and that Warner will return to the limelight. He learns the painful truth after Glenda tearfully tells him that the promoters she works with don't want Warner anymore...and that Deke is their only shot left at the big-time.
Primary Cast
- 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"....
: Jimmy Tompkins (Deke Rivers) - Lizabeth ScottLizabeth ScottLizabeth Scott is an American actress and singer widely known for her film noir roles.-Early life:She was born Emma Matzo in the Pine Brook section of Scranton, Pennsylvania, one of six children, to Ruthenian parents who had emigrated from Uzhgorod, in what is now Ukraine...
: Glenda Markle - Wendell CoreyWendell CoreyWendell Reid Corey was an American actor and politician.He was born in Dracut, Massachusetts, the son of Milton Rothwell Corey and Julia Etta McKenney . His father was a Congregationalist clergyman...
: Walter "Tex" Warner - Dolores HartDolores HartDolores Hart is an American Roman Catholic nun and former actress. She made 10 films in 5 years, playing opposite Stephen Boyd, Montgomery Clift, George Hamilton and Robert Wagner, having made her movie debut with Elvis Presley in Loving You .-Background:Dolores Hicks was the only child of the...
: Susan Jessup - James GleasonJames GleasonJames Austin Gleason was an American actor born in New York City. He was also a playwright and screenwriter.-Career:...
: Carl Meade - Ralph Dumke: Jim Tallman
- Skip YoungSkip Young (actor)Skip Young was an American actor best known for his decade-long role as Wally Plumstead in the ABC sitcom The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. When chosen to join Ozzie Nelson's television series, Young suggested that the last name of his character be "Plumstead"...
: Teddy (uncredited) - Scotty MooreScotty MooreWinfield Scott "Scotty" Moore III is an American guitarist. He is best known for his backing of Elvis Presley in the first part of his career, between 1954 and the beginning of Elvis' Hollywood years...
: Guitar Player (uncredited) - Bill BlackBill BlackWilliam Patton "Bill" Black, Jr. was an American musician who is noted as one of the pioneers of rockabilly music. Black was the bassist in Elvis Presley's early trio and the leader of Bill Black's Combo....
: Eddie - Bass Player (uncredited) - D.J. Fontana: Drummer (uncredited)
Background
In Presley's first picture, Love Me TenderLove Me Tender (1956 film)
Love Me Tender is a 1956 American black-and-white CinemaScope motion picture directed by Robert D. Webb, and released by 20th Century Fox on November 21, 1956. The film, named after the song, stars Richard Egan, Debra Paget, and Elvis Presley in his film debut. It is in the Western genre with...
, he acted in a supporting role as part of a larger story for the only time in his film career. His second film, Loving You, set the precedent for the remaining two films he would make before going into the army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
; Jailhouse Rock
Jailhouse Rock (1957 film)
Jailhouse Rock is an American musical film directed by Richard Thorpe for MGM. The film stars Elvis Presley in his third film and MGM debut, Judy Tyler, and Mickey Shaughnessy....
and King Creole
King Creole
King Creole is a 1958 American film directed by Michael Curtiz and produced by Hal B. Wallis. The story was adapted from the Harold Robbins novel A Stone for Danny Fisher and featured Elvis Presley, Carolyn Jones, and Walter Matthau. The film tells the story of a nineteen-year-old who gets mixed...
. Each film would feature him playing a rising young singing star, and of the effects that fame has on him and the people around him.
Following the release of Love Me Tender Presley had complained that he felt uncomfortable playing a character so different to his own personality. Writer and director Hal Kanter
Hal Kanter
Hal Kanter was a writer, producer and director, principally for comedy actors such as Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, and Elvis Presley , for both feature films and television...
, who was working on a movie version of Mary Agnes Thompson's short story A Call For Mitch Miller, spent time with Presley in December 1956 to get a better understanding of his individuality as a person and performer. Using this research he was able to adjust his script to suit Presley's persona for the lead role.
The film originally had three working titles; Lonesome Cowboy, Something for the Girls, and Running Wild. The latter was used by Ed Sullivan
Ed Sullivan
Edward Vincent "Ed" Sullivan was an American entertainment writer and television host, best known as the presenter of the TV variety show The Ed Sullivan Show. The show was broadcast from 1948 to 1971 , which made it one of the longest-running variety shows in U.S...
when Presley made his final appearance on his show. However, by the time Presley showed up for filming the title had been changed to match the Leiber & Stoller
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Jerome "Jerry" Leiber and Mike Stoller were American songwriting and record producing partners. Stoller was the composer and Leiber the lyricist. Their most famous songs include "Hound Dog", "Jailhouse Rock", "Kansas City", "Stand By Me" Jerome "Jerry" Leiber (April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011)...
song "Loving You". The script had been written to suit the inclusion of songs specifically written for the film, a practice that would continue throughout most of Presley's Hollywood career.
For his first role in Technicolor, Presley decided that he would look better on screen with dark hair. His screen idols, including Tony Curtis
Tony Curtis
Tony Curtis was an American film actor whose career spanned six decades, but had his greatest popularity during the 1950s and early 1960s. He acted in over 100 films in roles covering a wide range of genres, from light comedy to serious drama...
, had dark hair and Presley had always admired their acting abilities and the way they looked on screen. He decided to dye his hair black and with a few exceptions, including his time in the U.S. Army, he would keep it dyed for the rest of his life.
Presley's parents, Gladys and Vernon, were both present during the filming of the final scene of the film and appeared on screen (and at one point, in the same frame, as their son) during the musical number. Following Gladys' death a year later, Presley insisted that he would never watch the film again because it would remind him too much of his mother.
Loving You premiered in Memphis on July 10, 1957 at the Strand Theater. Presley did not go to that showing, instead opting to take current girlfriend Anita Wood and his parents to a private midnight screening. The film opened nationally on July 30, 1957 and peaked at #7 on the Variety National Box Office Survey, staying on the chart for four weeks.
Presley reported for work on January 21 1957, and filming completed on March 8.