Tag: Love Me Tender

Elvis Presley’s Movie Debut: “Love Me Tender”

Love Me TenderOn November 15, 1956, Elvis Presley made his movie debut in Love Me Tender as the film premiered at New York’s Paramount Theater.   The film is set in Texas after the U.S. Civil War.

In the movie, Elvis plays Clint Reno, the brother of a former Confederate soldier.  If you are going to make a movie with the most popular rock and roll star of the era, apparently someone thought it would be a good idea to put him in a period piece.

Presley started his music career with Sun Records in 1954, and then his first album for RCA was released in March 1956.  So at the time of the release of Love Me Tender, Presley had only been recording music for a few years.  Also, he had made his first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show on September 9, 1956, only a few months before the release of Love Me Tender.

The film initially had the title, The Reno Brothers.  But after advance sales of the single “Love Me Tender” went through the roof, the movie was renamed after the song.  Elvis sang “Love Me Tender” in the movie, along with three other songs.

The film was similar to Elvis’s later films in that it combined a story with Elvis singing. But it differed from many of his later films in that he did not play the lead role in Love Me Tender.  Additionally [spoiler alert!], Presley’s character died at the end, which would have been unthinkable in his later movies.

What is your favorite Elvis Presley movie? Leave your two cents in the comments.

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    Elvis Presley With the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: “If I Can Dream”

    Presley Orchestra

    An upcoming album — called If I Can Dream — repackages some classic Elvis Presley recordings into new versions backed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Priscilla Presley is the executive producer of the album, explaining in Rolling Stone that the new release likely is an album that Elvis would have wanted to make. The first single is a re-working of the classic “If I Can Dream” from his “1968 Comeback Special.”

    We have heard some reworkings of Elvis recordings in recent years with some success like “A Little Less Conversation,” which became a 2002 hit as a remix by Junkie XL. So it is not too surprising to see some other attempts along those lines. The original “If I Can Dream” already featured some orchestra instruments, so it is not too far of a leap to add a little more. So the song does not sound radically different, merely building on what was already there so you can imagine Elvis reworking his catalog with new recordings along these lines. Check it out.

    The new album will feature both beloved classics and lesser-known songs. So alongside songs like “Love Me Tender,” “American Trilogy,” and “Burning Love,” we will hear reworkings of “Steamroller Blues,” “Anything That’s Part of You,” and “And the Grass Won’t Pay No Mind.” There is also a duet with Michael Bublé on “Fever.”

    Priscilla explains that the album’s goal is to keep Elvis current by staying true to his voice. She is already thinking about songs for a second volume. Of course, she knew Elvis and I did not, but listening to “If I Can Dream,” it seems like a tasteful way to keep the King relevant in the new century. If I Can Dream: Elvis Presley With the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra will hit stores on October 30.

    What do you think of the plans for the album: consistent with Elvis’s work or just a money grab? Leave your two cents in the comments.

  • Did Elvis Perform “If I Can Dream” Facing a Christmas Stage As In Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” Move?
  • Elvis Presley’s Movie Debut: “Love Me Tender”
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  • Chuck Jackson Was There Before Elvis: “Any Day Now”
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    • a (Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)