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Directed Michael Curtiz
Writing Credits Harold Robbins (Novel), Herbert Baker (Screen play)
Producer Hal Wallis
Technical Advisor Colonel Tom Parker



Cast Overview:
Elvis Presley .... Danny Fisher, Carolyn Jones .... Ronnie, Walter Matthau .... Maxie Fields, Dolores Hart .... Nellie, Dean Jagger .... Mr. Fisher, Liliane Montevecchi .... Forty Nina, Vic Morrow .... Shark, Paul Stewart .... Charlie LeGrand, Jan Shepard .... Mimi Fisher, Brian Hutton .... Sal, Jack Grinnage .... Dummy, Dick Winslow .... Eddie Burton, Hazel Boyne .... Woman Who Asks For Water, Raymond Bailey .... Mr. Evans

Plot

Taken from the Harold Robbins novel "A Stone for Danny Fisher", King Creole is without doubt Elvis' greatest acting performance. A great story of young rebel Danny Fisher (Elvis) coming up from the ghetto to seek fame and fortune as a singer in the New Orleans Jazz clubs. Along the way he tangles with gangland boss Maxie Fields (Walter Matthau) and love interest Ronnie played by Carolyn Jones.

Musical Soundtrack

"CRAWFISH"
Written by Fred Wise and Ben Weisman, Performed by Elvis Presley and Kitty White
Hot New Orleans R&B and the first instance Elvis used a female vocalist (Kitty White who sang one word Cawfish throughout). Released on the soundtrack album (1958) and later on the LP Elvis The Other Sides-Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol. 2 (1972). Again on the CD release of the soundtrack (1997).

"STEADFAST, LOYAL AND TRUE"
Written by Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, Performed by Elvis Presley
The school song in King Creole and now the official song of the Interntional Elvis Presley Appreciation Society. No backing in the film, but a male chorus on the record. Released on the soundtrack LP (1958). An alternate master of the song was released on the soundtrack CD as a bonus track (1997).

"LOVER DOLL"
Written by Wayne & Abner Silver, Performed by Elvis Presley
The song Elvis sings in the Five and Dime to distract people while Vic Morrow loots the place. Released on the soundtrack LP (1958). A different version, shorter and without the Jordanaires was released on the EP King Creole Vol. 1 (1958) and later on the LP Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol. 2 (1971). The undubbed version was released on the soundtrack CD as a bonus track (1997).

"TROUBLE"
Written by Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, Performed by Elvis Presley
Elvis talks his lines at the start of this then swings into a Dixieland section before ripping furiously into a quick climax. Released on the soundtrack LP(1958) and on the EP King Creole Vol. 2 (1958). Later on the LP's Elvis NBC TV Special (1968) and Elvis: The Other Sides-World-wide Gold Award Hits Vol. 2 (1971). Again on the CD release of the soundtrack (1997).

"DIXIELAND ROCK"
Written by Claude Demetrius & Fred Wise, Performed by Elvis Presley
Elvis swinging blend of Jazz and rock and a real show stopper. The film version is different and the recorded version has a shorter intro.. Released on the soundtrack LP (1958). Again on the CD release of the soundtrack (1997).

"YOUNG DREAMS"
Written by Schroeder & Martin Kalmanoff, Performed by Elvis Presley
A great track with Elvis and the band in fine form. Released on the soundtrack LP (1958). Also released on the EP King Creole Vol. 2 (1958). Later on the LP Elvis the Other Sides-Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits Vol 2 (1971). Again on the CD release of the soundtrack (1997).

"NEW ORLEANS"
Written by Sid Tepper & Roy C Bennett, Performed by Elvis Presley
Scorching blues with a dixieland backing. Released on the soundtrack album (1958). Also on the EP King Creole Vol. 1 (1958) and the LP Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol. 2 (1971). Again on the CD release of the soundtrack (1997).

"HARD HEADED WOMAN"
Written by Claude Demetrius, Performed by Elvis Presley
One of Elvis' most rapid fire deliveries of a rock and roll song. Heard only offstage in the film. Released as a single with Don't Ask Me Why on the flipside (1958) and later on the soundtrack LP (1958). Also released on Worldwide 50 Gold Award Hits Vol. 1 (1970). Again on the CD release of the soundtrack (1997).

"KING CREOLE"
Written by Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller, Performed by Elvis Presley
Difficult phrasing pulled off well with Elvis playing guitar. Released on the soundtrack LP (1958) and on the EP King Creole Vol. 1 (1958). Later on the LP The Other Sides-Worldwide Gold Award Hits Vol. 2 (1971). Two alternate versions (takes 3 and 18) with different lyrics were released on the soundtrack CD as bonus tracks (1997)

"DON'T ASK ME WHY"
Written by Fred Wise & Ben Weisman, Performed by Elvis Presley
Tender love ballad. Released as a single with Hard Headed Woman as the flipside (1958) and also on the soundtrack LP (1958). Again on the CD release of the soundtrack (1997).

"AS LONG AS I HAVE YOU"
Written by Fred Wise and Ben Weisman, Performed by Elvis Presley
Beautiful ballad with Elvis in fine vocal form. Released on the soundtrack LP (1958). The movie version (take 8) which differs from the recorded version was released on the soundtrack CD as a bonus track.(1997)

Recorded at Radio Recorders Studios, 7000, Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood. January 1958.

Musicians:
Elvis Presley (vocals), Scotty Moore (guitar), Bill Black (bass), D.J Fontana (drums), Kitty White and the Jordanaires (vocals).

Turtles Berries and Gumbo was performed by the street vendors during the opening sequence. Liliane Monttevecchi sang Banana and Muskrat Ranble was recorded as an instrumental for the nightclub sequence.

Danny was recorded after the main soundtrack sessions as insecurity crept in over the strength of King Creole. It was subsequently rejected and remained unreleased for 20 years, finally surfacing on the 1978 album A Legendary Performer Vol 3.

RCA released the single Hard Headed Woman and Don't Ask Me Why on June 10th. It would be Elvis' last 78rpm release in the U.S. It reached no. 2 in the U.S and U.K respectively.

On July 21, King Creole entered Billboards EP chart at No.1. It remained there for a total of 23 weeks. King Creole Vol 2 was released in September. Both E.P's were certified platinum.

RCA in the United Kindom released King Creole and Dixieland Rock as a single in late September. It reached No. 2.

The soundtrack album entered Billboards album chart on September 6 and reached No. 2.

Trivia

Director Michael Curtiz directed over 100 films during his career including the Bogart classic Casablanca (1942) and Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942).

Production commenced on January 20th and finished on March 10th.

To make the film Elvis had to obtain a 60 day deferment from his local Memphis draft board. He finally reported on March 24th at 6.35 am and became private 55310761.

While filming Elvis stayed in the Roosvelt Hotel, New Orleans.

Hal Wallis purchased the rights to the novel A Stone For Danny Fisher by Harold Robbins for $25000. In the book Danny's second name is Finnell and he is a boxer living in New York.

Two other titles were originally considered, Danny and Sing You Sinners.

Supporting actress Carolyn Jones is better known by audiences today as Morticia in the TV series The Addams Family.

Candy Candido who played a doorman was the cartoon voice of Popeye in the 1930's.

According to Alan Fortas, one of Elvis' entourage, Walter Matthau who won a best supporting Actor Oscar in 1966 and Colonel Parker used to play Poker in between filming.

Fortas also states that director Curtiz was constantly jumping on Vic Morrow for sounding too much like Marlon Brando.

King Creole opened nationally on July 2.

Variety's review said "Shows the young star as a better than fair actor.

Goofs

During the opening sequence with the food vendors, a woman sings with a mans voice.
When Elvis throws Shark against the wall it wobbles.

 

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