Elvis Presley has been in a lot of movies, but how many did he actually make? He has made at least 31 films. His films grossed at least $209 million each, assuming that the films were released in the 1950s or early 1960s. He also starred in Easy Come, Easy Go and starred as a Native American in Stay Away, Joe. His total movie monetary earnings are estimated to be around $244 million.
31
In the span of 13 years, Elvis Presley starred in 31 movies, including two starring roles. He appeared in classics such as Viva Las Vegas and Blue Hawaii, as well as more modern films like Clambake. But his film career was never as lauded as his musical output. The quality of Presley’s films is often questionable, and if you ask him about them, he’d probably agree. The mid-’60s are some of the worst, and films like Easy Come, Easy Go and Tickle Me are among his worst. Fortunately, however, he found success in Swing London, and his stardom lasted well into the 1970s.
The film starred Presley as an Air Force pilot, who tries to convince his cousins to allow the military to build a missile base on their land. In the end, he gets involved in a love triangle with two cousins, one of whom is Yvonne Craig, who played the original Batgirl. He sings two songs encouraging his cousins to get together. This film is not for the faint of heart.
He played a Native American in Stay Away, Joe
“Stay Away, Joe” is a 1968 film about a half-Native American named Joe Lightfoot who makes a dangerous journey home to his reservation and faces violence and gangsters. The movie stars Elvis Presley as Joe Lightfoot, who makes a traumatic discovery on his way to the reservation. While the movie was not a hit when it was released, it has since become one of The King’s least favorite movies.
The movie is based on a novel written by Dan Cushman. Cushman, a native of Montana, wrote 30 books, winning many awards. The book was turned into a Broadway musical. Critics hailed the film’s ‘comedy’ and Elvis’s portrayal of a Native American. The cast of Stay Away, Joe is a diverse group of actors and singers.
He co-starred in Easy Come, Easy Go
In a movie titled Easy Come, Simple Go, Elvis played former frogman Ted Jackson. The film follows Ted on a quest to find Spanish gold on a sunken ship. The film was shot on the ocean floor, and it is no secret that the underwater scenes were a bit scary for Elvis. As he’s not a great swimmer, he was frightened of getting in the water and held onto the boat for much of the filming.
Although the production of the movie slowed down for a few months, the film finally opened on March 22, 1967. ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ is one of the many movies Elvis co-starred in, and is a solid example of the ridiculousness of the Elvis Machine in 1967. While it’s a bit dated, it still has the intangibles of a classic Presley film and is worth a look, especially if you’re a fan of the King.
He played a Native American in Aloha from Hawaii
The controversy over whether Elvis played a Native American in Alohe from Hawaii is still fresh. While the movie’s plot revolves around a Hawaiian man named Brian Gilcrest, it also reveals that the actor is interested in martial arts, and he demonstrates his interest in these moves in the film. The film also features a prominent Asian female lead. The question remains: should Russell Crowe have cast a Native American or an Asian as the lead character?
On July 8, 1972, Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis Presley’s manager, announced the plans for “Aloha from Hawaii”. It was the first film he starred in that featured a Native American as an unlikely hero. The film’s geographical location and time zone made it a perfect location, and Colonel Parker’s goal was to showcase the star and his art to a worldwide audience. He also surmised that the Cold War between the U.S. and China would ease if the movie were broadcast in front of a worldwide audience. The concert was a success, and the double-LP sold half a million copies in its first four weeks. Elvis’ version of James Taylor’s “Steampstead Blues” reached the Top 20 on the Billboard 200.
He played a musical comedy in King Creole
“King Creole” is a 1958 American film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Elvis Presley as Danny Fisher, a hapless nightclub singer. Presley plays a troubled 19-year-old who gets involved with hoods and falls in love. The movie is about a troubled youth and his struggle to rise to fame. It is considered Elvis’s most memorable film.
The story of King Creole began as a heavy-handed novel by Harold Robbins called “A Stone for Danny Fisher.” Although the book was well received, it was quickly optioned for a movie adaptation. Robbins originally planned to cast James Dean as the title character. Marlon Brando was also considered, but eventually Elvis Presley won the role. The film had a surprising and unpredictable ending.
He starred in a western
If you are not familiar with Elvis Presley’s filmography, you may be surprised to find that he made his first film debut in a western. In the film, he plays a half-breed American Indian who convinces a congressman to allow him to raise cattle on a reservation. The film also features two other Elvis Presley characters: a talented boxer and a garage mechanic.
Not only did the 1960s bring a transformational time for the Western genre, but Elvis Presley embraced the style of the era with new sexual and graphic violence and morally dubious protagonists. The western titled Charro! marked Presley’s first non-musical film, and he started shooting it days after completing his Comeback Distinctive. Today, it is hard to believe that such a radical film can be so popular.
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