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Directed Frederick De Cordova
Writing Credits Alex Gottlieb
Producer Edward Small
Story Nat Perrin
Associate Producer Alex Gottlieb
Music Fred Karger
Technicolor

Cast Overview
Elvis Presley .... Johnny, Donna Douglas .... Frankie, Harry Morgan .... Cully, Sue Ane Langdon .... Mitzi, Nancy Kovack .... Nellie Bly, Audrey Christie .... Peg, Robert Strauss .... Blackie, Anthony Eisley .... Braden, Joyce Jameson .... Abigail

Elvis plays Johnny, a riverboat entertainer that has a big gambling problem. Donna Douglas is Johnny's girl, Frankie. A fortune teller tells Johnny how he can change his luck. Enter a new lady luck played by Nancy Kovack and the cat fight begins. Costumes are classy. A dozen songs make up the soundtrack featuring "Hard Luck" and "Please Don't Stop Loving Me". Also in the cast are Sue Ane Langdon, Harry Morgan and Anthony Eisley. A fun movie to watch.

Musical Soundtrack

"COME ALONG"
Written by David Hess, Performed by Elvis Presley
Elvis doing New Orleans style music hall Jazz. Sung over the credits of the film. Released on the soundtrack LP (1966). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Frankie and Johnny/Paradise Hawaiin Style (1993).

"PETUNIA THE GARDENER'S DAUGHTER"
Written by Sid Tepper & Roy C Bennett, Performed by Elvis Presley
Music hall ditty. The film version has Donna Douglas singing alongside. The record version is mostly Elvis with a duet at the end. Released on the soundtrack LP (1966). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Frankie and Johnny/Paradise Hawaiin Style (1993).

"CHESAY"
Written by Fred Karger, Ben Weisman & Sid Wayne, Performed by Elvis Presley
A gypsy style number with accordian backing. Released on the soundtrack LP (1966). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Frankie and Johnny/Paradise Hawaiin Style (1993).

"WHAT EVERY WOMAN LIVES FOR"
Written by Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman, Performed by Elvis Presley
Ballad in which Elvis sings about what every woman lives for is to give her love to a man! Released on the soundtrack LP (1966). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Frankie and Johnny/Paradise Hawaiin Style (1993).

"FRANKIE & JOHNNY"
Written by Alix Gottlieb, Fred Karger & Ben Weisman, Performed by Elvis Presley
The jazzy title tune to the film. A remake of the standard, stagey and filled with choruses. In the film the music was intercut with dance routines and contained the voices of Donna Douglas and Sue Ann Langdon. The record version is shorter with unbilled female voices. Released as a single with Please Don't Stop Loving Me on the flip side (1966). Released on the soundtrack LP (1966) and later on the Camden LP Elvis Sings Hits From His Movies Vol.1 (1972). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Frankie and Johnny/Paradise Hawaiin Style (1993).

"LOOK OUT BROADWAY"
Written by Fred Wise & Randy Starr, Performed by Elvis Presley
Comic Music hall number. Released on the soundtrack LP (1966). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Frankie and Johnny/Paradise Hawaiin Style (1993).

"BEGINNER'S LUCK"
Written by Sid Tepper & Roy C Bennett, Performed by Elvis Presley
Soft ballad. Released on the soundtrack LP (1966). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Frankie and Johnny/Paradise Hawaiin Style (1993).

"DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE/WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN"
Arranged by Bill Grant, Bernie Baum & Florence Kaye, Performed by Elvis Presley
New Orleans swing style music hall number. Plenty of energy, voice and colour. Released on the soundtrack LP (1966). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Frankie and Johnny/Paradise Hawaiin Style (1993).

"SHOUT IT OUT"
Written by Bill Grant, Bernie Baum & Florence Kaye, Performed by Elvis Presley
Rocking feelgood number with Elvis hitting some great bass notes. Released on the soundtrack LP (1966). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Frankie and Johnny/Paradise Hawaiin Style (1993).

"HARD LUCK
Written by Ben Weisman & Sid Wayne, Performed by Elvis Presley
Sad blues number which Elvis sings walking the streets having lost his girl and his money. Released on the soundtrack LP (1966). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Frankie and Johnny/Paradise Hawaiin Style (1993).

"PLEASE DON'T STOP LOVING ME"
Written by Joe Byers, Performed by Elvis Presley.
A subdued ballad with mellow piano and Elvis in fine voice. Released as a single with Frankie and Johnny on the flipside (1966) and on the soundtrack LP (1966). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Frankie and Johnny/Paradise Hawaiin Style (1993).

"EVERYBODY COME ABOARD"
Written by Bill Grant, Bernie Baum & Florence Kaye, Performed by Elvis Presley
The jazzy finale of the movie. Released on the soundtrack LP (1966). Again on the Elvis Double Features CD Frankie and Johnny/Paradise Hawaiin Style (1993).

Recorded at:
Radio Recorders Studios, 7000, Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood. May 1965.

Musicians:
Elvis Presley (vocals), Scotty Moore, Tiny Timbrell, Charlie McCoy (guitars), Bob Moore (bass), D.J. Fontana, Buddy Harman (drums),George Worth (trumpet), Richard Noel (trombone), Gus Bivona (sax), John Johnson (tuba), the Mello Men (vocals)

Extensive overdubbing with horns was done on a number of these songs to give them the Twenties feel.

Two versions of the title track were cut, one for record release and the other for the movie.

Trivia

Donna Douglas played Elly Mae Clampett in the 60's TV show The Beverly Hillbillys.
Frankie and Johnny was directed by Fred de Cordova, director of Johnny Carson's "Tonight Show"

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