Elvis acting compared to other Singers

[Brian]

Hi Everyone


a lot has been written about Elvis hollywood career but I have a different point of view. Elvis gave good performances in Jailhouse Rock, King Creole, Flaming Star, Follow that Dream and gave decent performances in Viva Las Vegas, Roustabout, Gi Blues and Change of Habit. Elvis got to work with good directors like Michael Curtiz, Don Siegel, Norman Taurog, George Sidney.
Elvis got to work with Academy nominated or Academy award winners like Dean Jagger, Walter Matthau,Mary Tyler Moore, Ann Margret, Arthur O' Connell, Burgess Meredith, Tuesday Weld, Hope Lang, Gig Young and got to work with other hollywood veterans like Barbara Eden, Barbara Stanwyck, Shelley Fabares. Compared to other singers turned actors I think Elvis was the best actor besides Frank Sinatra if you look at someone like Bobby Darin other than an oscar nomination for ''Captain Newman M.D.'' I think his hollywood career was rather uneventful all his movies past M.D. were all bombs and I didn't really think much of his performance in ''At the Worlds fair'' or ''Come September''. Diana Ross gave a critically acclaimed oscar nominated performance as singer Billie Holiday in ''Lady Sings the Blues'' but made several movies afterward and none have matched up. Bing Crosby was 3 times nominated for an oscar but 2 of them came for musicals included his win for ''Going my Way'', I did like his non singing dramatic role in the ''Country Girl'' but don't really think of Crosby as a dramatic actor as most of his films with the exception of a few were musicals.
Barbara Streisand did win an oscar in 1969 for her performance in ''Hello Dolly'' but like Crosby most of the movies she's been in have been musicals. I didn't like her performance in the movie ''The way we were''. didn't think her and Redford had any chemistry and I also didn't like her performance in ''A Star is Born''. Regarding Dean Martin I haven't seen a lot of his films but from the one's I have seen I think he was a decent actor I especially liked his performance in Rio Bravo but I think Elvis was still the better actor.
Ricky Nelson, Pat Boone, Fabian and Frankie Avalon had several roles in several hollywood films and were expected to sing, and they did, none of them became serious actors and I think Elvis was a better actor than them.
Regarding the bad mid to late 60's films like Harum Scarum,Girl Happy,Clambake, Kissin Cousins, Speedway, Elvis didn't have script approval in his contracts just like other actors of that time didn't, So what is Madonna's excuse for making ''Swept away'' or Mariah Carey making ''Glitter''or Britney Spears making ''Crossroads'' as actors today do have script approval. all bad films in my opinion and I think Elvis was a better actor than Spears, Madonna or Carey.

1.What are your thoughts on this?
2.How would you compare Elvis with other singers who became actors?

P.S. I look forward to hearing from all of you on this and I also hope to get a lot of replies on this topic.

[jak]

My thoughts on Elvis' acting career and ability as an actor will not be very popular.I wish Elvis never would have made any films period.Overall they were just a waste of his time and talent.Elvis was passable in several of the better films.You bring up the strong supporting cast he worked with.This is a great point.His films were also full of some of the finest character actors around at that time.This also shows Elvis' weakness as an actor IMO.Elvis pales in comparison to those around him during many of the films.The good actors he was surrounded with blend into their roles easily.Elvis usually appears stiff.He appears to be trying to hard.I can always tell he's acting.Ecpecially when it's an emotional scene.The water hose scene in Wild In The Country,nearly punching Gig Young in Galahad etc.Both films I like in spite of what I mentioned.I just think those scenes show how limited Elvis was as an actor.Those scenes make me cringe.Elvis was a movie star.Elvis wasnt a very good actor.Many of the people mentioned previously were far better.Elvis wanted to be a movie a star.He achieved that.I jsut wish he would have concentrated on his music.Elvis was a music icon.I wish he would have just stuck with that.We missed out on so much because of his film work.

[marijaep]

My thoughts on Elvis' acting career and ability as an actor will not be very popular.I wish Elvis never would have made any films period.Overall they were just a waste of his time and talent.Elvis was passable in several of the better films.You bring up the strong supporting cast he worked with.This is a great point.His films were also full of some of the finest character actors around at that time.This also shows Elvis' weakness as an actor IMO.Elvis pales in comparison to those around him during many of the films.The good actors he was surrounded with blend into their roles easily.Elvis usually appears stiff.He appears to be trying to hard.I can always tell he's acting.Ecpecially when it's an emotional scene.The water hose scene in Wild In The Country,nearly punching Gig Young in Galahad etc.Both films I like in spite of what I mentioned.I just think those scenes show how limited Elvis was as an actor.Those scenes make me cringe.Elvis was a movie star.Elvis wasnt a very good actor.Many of the people mentioned previously were far better.Elvis wanted to be a movie a star.He achieved that.I jsut wish he would have concentrated on his music.Elvis was a music icon.I wish he would have just stuck with that.We missed out on so much because of his film work.

I agree with you Jak. He had good potential, too bad he didn't want to work on his acting a bit. Take acting lessons or something like that. The first Elvis movie I've seen was Blue Hawaii. I remember how disappointed I was after watching it. But, with time I learnt to like them. They are cheerful and a good laugh.
There are undoubtedly better singer actors than Elvis. Elvis is somewhere in the middle. I think Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin were better actors than Elvis, but Eminem, Madonna, Mariah Carey or Britney are far worse :king:
I too wish he had concentrated on his music more than his acting career in the 60s, he had it all...but that way we would have never got the pleasure to see The '68 Comeback Special and the 1969 shows. Everything happens for a reason :lol:

[LianaKaralivanou]

Elvis was not a good actor but he was not a bad either! He could have done a whole lot better if the scripts were good and if he the songs in the films were better! But even if that's true, why do I enjoy ALL his movies so very much?? Why, when I fell blue, the first thing I do is see an Elvis' film to make me feel better? Because, simply, Elvis had that special quality, that special aura around him turning a medium or a bad film into a great one!!

[Getlo]

My thoughts on Elvis' acting career and ability as an actor will not be very popular.

But your assertions, as always jak, are accurate.

He was passable in King Creole and to a lesser extent, Jailhouse Rock.

But in the other "serious" films, his weaknesses showed.

As for the rest of the films - the beach babe travelogues - he does not even rate on the acting scale. He was there and delivering his lines, nothing more. The damage was done, irreversibly, by the time King Creole wrapped.

Having said that, with proper training, he could have become a very good (if not) great actor. There was certainly raw potential in his early performances.

Sinatra was a naturally good actor in most things he did. Same with Dean Martin. But Elvis didn't have that natural screen presence of the greats, or the near greats. He looked great, sure. But his performances were not worthy of what can be called good acting.

[jak]

"Sinatra was a naturally good actor in most things he did. Same with Dean Martin. But Elvis didn't have that natural screen presence of the greats, or the near greats. He looked great, sure. But his performances were not worthy of what can be called good acting."

You nailed it.There is no denying that the camera loved Elvis.However that couldnt make up for his lack of ability.I think with some help he could have been better.Elvis wasnt terrible,but far from a very good actor.

[Brian]

My thoughts on Elvis' acting career and ability as an actor will not be very popular.I wish Elvis never would have made any films period.Overall they were just a waste of his time and talent.Elvis was passable in several of the better films.You bring up the strong supporting cast he worked with.This is a great point.His films were also full of some of the finest character actors around at that time.This also shows Elvis' weakness as an actor IMO.Elvis pales in comparison to those around him during many of the films.The good actors he was surrounded with blend into their roles easily.Elvis usually appears stiff.He appears to be trying to hard.I can always tell he's acting.Ecpecially when it's an emotional scene.The water hose scene in Wild In The Country,nearly punching Gig Young in Galahad etc.Both films I like in spite of what I mentioned.I just think those scenes show how limited Elvis was as an actor.Those scenes make me cringe.Elvis was a movie star.Elvis wasnt a very good actor.Many of the people mentioned previously were far better.Elvis wanted to be a movie a star.He achieved that.I jsut wish he would have concentrated on his music.Elvis was a music icon.I wish he would have just stuck with that.We missed out on so much because of his film work.

You know what Jak you make several good points. After Elvis got out of the army he was asked whether he was going to take acting classes and he said that no he wouldn't be because he never was very good at school and he learnt better by learning on the job, I thought this was a mistake that Elvis would have been a better actor had he studied with an acting coach.
I thought Elvis acting was okay in Blue Hawaii nothing great.
I thought Elvis held his own against Ann Margret in Viva Las Vegas
I thought he did very well acting opposite the cast of King Creole
I have only seen bit's and pieces of Kid Ghalahad
It's been a while since I've seen Wild in the country but from what I remember he did real well in some scenes but in other's not so well. Although I thought the movie was something different for Elvis it was too slow at times and kinda boring.
I thought Elvis gave good performances in Jailhouse Rock, King Creole, Flaming Star and Follow that Dream.

[Cherokee]

My thoughts on Elvis' acting career and ability as an actor will not be very popular.I wish Elvis never would have made any films period.Overall they were just a waste of his time and talent.Elvis was passable in several of the better films.You bring up the strong supporting cast he worked with.This is a great point.His films were also full of some of the finest character actors around at that time.This also shows Elvis' weakness as an actor IMO.Elvis pales in comparison to those around him during many of the films.The good actors he was surrounded with blend into their roles easily.Elvis usually appears stiff.He appears to be trying to hard.I can always tell he's acting.Ecpecially when it's an emotional scene.The water hose scene in Wild In The Country,nearly punching Gig Young in Galahad etc.Both films I like in spite of what I mentioned.I just think those scenes show how limited Elvis was as an actor.Those scenes make me cringe.Elvis was a movie star.Elvis wasnt a very good actor.Many of the people mentioned previously were far better.Elvis wanted to be a movie a star.He achieved that.I jsut wish he would have concentrated on his music.Elvis was a music icon.I wish he would have just stuck with that.We missed out on so much because of his film work.


But your assertions, as always jak, are accurate.

He was passable in King Creole and to a lesser extent, Jailhouse Rock.

But in the other "serious" films, his weaknesses showed.

As for the rest of the films - the beach babe travelogues - he does not even rate on the acting scale. He was there and delivering his lines, nothing more. The damage was done, irreversibly, by the time King Creole wrapped.

Having said that, with proper training, he could have become a very good (if not) great actor. There was certainly raw potential in his early performances.

Sinatra was a naturally good actor in most things he did. Same with Dean Martin. But Elvis didn't have that natural screen presence of the greats, or the near greats. He looked great, sure. But his performances were not worthy of what can be called good acting.

I totally agree with both of you. When watching Elvis in his movies
(or the vehicles that are supposed to pass for movies) it often seems
like he's blocked from actually showing emotions. What I mean by that
is that we all know Elvis was a person who often acted from the heart,
rather than the head. Yet, when it comes to his appearances in movies,
you can see quite the opposite: you can almost see him thinking "I'm
very sad now, I feel the pain" and what you then get is an almost
obstipated look, instead of a torn, hurt or sad look. He was acting
with his head, instead of feeling it, which is quite curious when you
compare that to how he would completely "feel" his songs when he
was singing.

[KPM]

"Sinatra was a naturally good actor in most things he did. Same with Dean Martin. But Elvis didn't have that natural screen presence of the greats, or the near greats. He looked great, sure. But his performances were not worthy of what can be called good acting."

You nailed it.There is no denying that the camera loved Elvis.However that couldnt make up for his lack of ability.I think with some help he could have been better.Elvis wasnt terrible,but far from a very good actor.
You already know my opinion on this Jak:)
But I'll give it anyway;) I think in several films he showed natural ability, and that when he was given a script/director that called for him to do more than "punch someone-smile-then sing" he made the most of it.
I also have always pointed to the fact that many directors, producers and other actors thought he could act. He was offered many roles (we all know about) which were not singing roles-they had to believe enough in his ability to offer them. But its subjective-just like favorite songs, films, colors its how you see it. Try watching the Ferlin Husky film called "Hillbillies in a Haunted House", thats bad acting personafied.

[Brian]

You already know my opinion on this Jak:)
But I'll give it anyway;) I think in several films he showed natural ability, and that when he was given a script/director that called for him to do more than "punch someone-smile-then sing" he made the most of it.
I also have always pointed to the fact that many directors, producers and other actors thought he could act. He was offered many roles (we all know about) which were not singing roles-they had to believe enough in his ability to offer them. But its subjective-just like favorite songs, films, colors its how you see it. Try watching the Ferlin Husky film called "Hillbillies in a Haunted House", thats bad acting personafied.


yeah I agree with you Ken I've always felt that if Elvis took some acting lessons, got some better scripts in the mid 60's and got some more good directors to work with he could have grown into being a good maybe great dramatic actor. I don't know about Elvis being a method actor like Brando but I could see him as a natural actor like Robert Mitchum.

[jak]

You already know my opinion on this Jak:)
But I'll give it anyway;) I think in several films he showed natural ability, and that when he was given a script/director that called for him to do more than "punch someone-smile-then sing" he made the most of it.
I also have always pointed to the fact that many directors, producers and other actors thought he could act. He was offered many roles (we all know about) which were not singing roles-they had to believe enough in his ability to offer them. But its subjective-just like favorite songs, films, colors its how you see it. Try watching the Ferlin Husky film called "Hillbillies in a Haunted House", thats bad acting personafied.

I agree with you actually.Elvis had some natural ability.I also think he was eager to learn which was a bonus.I just dont think he ever fully developed as an actor.There is just no way to know if he could have been better with a different scenario than the one he had.

[jak]

I totally agree with both of you. When watching Elvis in his movies
(or the vehicles that are supposed to pass for movies) it often seems
like he's blocked from actually showing emotions. What I mean by that
is that we all know Elvis was a person who often acted from the heart,
rather than the head. Yet, when it comes to his appearances in movies,
you can see quite the opposite: you can almost see him thinking "I'm
very sad now, I feel the pain" and what you then get is an almost
obstipated look, instead of a torn, hurt or sad look. He was acting
with his head, instead of feeling it, which is quite curious when you
compare that to how he would completely "feel" his songs when he
was singing.

Outstanding observations.You expressed my sentiments exactly.You explained it better than I was able to.

[shelley.m.]

Presley pictures made money,even if the script was bad the fans would go,just to see Elvis on the screen.It's too bad that movies like Wild In Country and Flaming Star didn't do well at the box-office.The fans liked to see and hear Elvis singing up a storm on the silver screen.It was a sure-fire formula that worked for years.Why mess with a good thing,huh?

[Getlo]

Presley pictures made money,even if the script was bad the fans would go,just to see Elvis on the screen.It's too bad that movies like Wild In Country and Flaming Star didn't do well at the box-office.The fans liked to see and hear Elvis singing up a storm on the silver screen.It was a sure-fire formula that worked for years.Why mess with a good thing,huh?

It's that attitude which screwed Elvis' acting career into the ground.

[EnigmaticSun]

I'd have to agree with KPM. This seems to be the most realistic view on Elvis' acting abilities.

Some (movies) take time to get used to, but after watching Elvis I never thought to myself: "I haven't felt that awful since I saw that Ronald Reagan movie"..

[Teddy]

I admire a man who can casually quote a line from Airplane while wearing a Blue Velvet avatar and evaluating the acting ability of Elvis Presley. :)

[Suspicious Minds]

Most actors have their scripts tailored to them so they won't have to do different voices while they are acting.
I did not think Elvis did a lot of acting as such. He didn't change his voice to play different characters.
Frank Sinatra did not change his voice in different roles.

[shelley.m.]

It's that attitude which screwed Elvis' acting career into the ground.

We only have good old Col.Parker to blame for that.(n)

[MissyM]

In singing or acting he has more charisma than any of them. I enjoyed his movies more. Some scripts were painful but I thought he did his best considering. Some movies the others did had some stupid scenes and I can't watch. Some of Elvis's movies the whole script was stupid. But I may be the few, I think he was a wonderful actor. I so got into the story. Maybe it's just me!

[Getlo]

In acting he has more charisma than any of them.


Brando ...

Dean ...

Clift ...

.. etc.

... the list is almost endless of actors who had more acting charisma than Elvis.

[jak]

In singing or acting he has more charisma than any of them. I enjoyed his movies more. Some scripts were painful but I thought he did his best considering. Some movies the others did had some stupid scenes and I can't watch. Some of Elvis's movies the whole script was stupid. But I may be the few, I think he was a wonderful actor. I so got into the story. Maybe it's just me!

No offense but youre letting youre feelings cloud youre thinking.Elvis never gave a wonderfull performance in any film.Good at best.His charisma did help him on camera.It just didnt improve his acting ability.Most if not all of the people Elvis was working with were better actors than he was.

[MissyM]

Well we were talking about one's who could sing too I thought??????? Did Brando sing?? Dean did and I couldn't stand him.

[buttonhead]

His charisma did help him on camera.It just didnt improve his acting ability.Most if not all of the people Elvis was working with were better actors than he was.

What to say ? I DO agree with you, but i keep it to myself because i don't wanna get 'killed' in this forum :lmfao:

I can see Elvis emotionally struggling from each movies to another, I mean same old script... girls, singing... dancing..some were having the same actresses from precious movies . I guess thats why on 'This Is Elvis' movies on one of the scene it said that the mediocrity of his movies made him phisically ill. :'(

[ehollier]

No offense but youre letting youre feelings cloud youre thinking.Elvis never gave a wonderfull performance in any film.Good at best.His charisma did help him on camera.It just didnt improve his acting ability.Most if not all of the people Elvis was working with were better actors than he was.

Although Elvis never gave any Oscar winning performances, I have to disagree with you. He did have some good movies among the many that he was given -- Jailhouse Rock (and charisma just oozes from him here!!!!!!), King Creole (great script, great location, great supporting actors!), Wild in Country (sorry, but I think this is one of his better ones that gets overlooked!), Follow that Dream (this one doesn't follow the formula that was to become the travelogue!).

[Getlo]

King Creole

Watch it again.

It is wildly over-acted by everyone, except Matthau.

[ehollier]

Watch it again.

It is wildly over-acted by everyone, except Matthau.

I'll be happy to watch again. However, your opinion, as with everyone else here, is purely subjective....

[jak]

Although Elvis never gave any Oscar winning performances, I have to disagree with you. He did have some good movies among the many that he was given -- Jailhouse Rock (and charisma just oozes from him here!!!!!!), King Creole (great script, great location, great supporting actors!), Wild in Country (sorry, but I think this is one of his better ones that gets overlooked!), Follow that Dream (this one doesn't follow the formula that was to become the travelogue!).


I probably didnt express myself the right way.I actually agree with you.Im not saying he didnt make some good movies.Elvis did make some good movies.He did give some "good" performances.Im just saying overall Elvis cant be considered a great actor.I just watched Kid Galahad the other night after many years.I found it very enjoyable.Not a masterpiece but a good watch.

[jak]

What to say ? I DO agree with you, but i keep it to myself because i don't wanna get 'killed' in this forum :lmfao:

I can see Elvis emotionally struggling from each movies to another, I mean same old script... girls, singing... dancing..some were having the same actresses from precious movies . I guess thats why on 'This Is Elvis' movies on one of the scene it said that the mediocrity of his movies made him phisically ill. :'(

I guess Im a glutton for punishment.

[jak]

Well we were talking about one's who could sing too I thought??????? Did Brando sing?? Dean did and I couldn't stand him.

Dean Martin was a better actor than Elvis.He was smooth as silk.He didnt have to try.Thats what held Elvis back.You always knew he was acting.

[Brian]

Dean Martin was a better actor than Elvis.He was smooth as silk.He didnt have to try.Thats what held Elvis back.You always knew he was acting.


Hi Jak

my feeling is that Elvis should have took some acting classes I feel if he had he would have become a better actor, most of the all time great actors study acting.

[buttonhead]

I guess Im a glutton for punishment.

No ... :) :)

I said that i hope i didnt get killed on this forum, because as i read all these threads..i could see how some people were so hardcore with Elvis they don't want to hear any bad things about him, unlike me and some who love Elvis good or bad. Elvis IS the king of music BUT he is indeed a human too like me and you.

:blush: I agree with some words you are saying and it was good to have someone share the same opinion ..not ALL.. but you got the point as i am..

[beckelvis]

I think thaht somehow ELVIS last time with these films,it´s clear that wanted to be a good actor,but neither gave him an opportunity ,whit all these films and singing the same thing,but we must no forget that the Jailhose Rock and King Creole,for me king are among the best movies he could do,but i´m glad that this stopped so we surprise wiht his Comeback 68´

[Cherokee]

I think thaht somehow ELVIS last time with these films,it´s clear that wanted to be a good actor,but neither gave him an opportunity ,whit all these films and singing the same thing,but we must no forget that the Jailhose Rock and King Creole,for me king are among the best movies he could do,but i´m glad that this stopped so we surprise wiht his Comeback 68´

:blink: Huh??????:blink:

[franny]

Dean Martin was a better actor than Elvis.He was smooth as silk.He didnt have to try.Thats what held Elvis back.You always knew he was acting.

I agree, Jak. (y) Dean Martin was a better actor than Elvis...

But, I do feel Elvis did the best he could with the parts he was given, which was usually the same...

franny

[Diane]

I agree, in spite of no training Elvis did good...not great. With better scripts and training, who knows?

Diane

[Vegas King]

He was very very talented for acting but that scripts were his problem.

[4THEHEART]

if there's anyone to get killed it must be me thinking James Dean's acting was too exaggerating and disturbing even though he didn't have to play caricature characters as Elvis had to..give him comic characters with some unnatural hairdo plus a too loud make up and expect him to take that role serious..a silly expectation for sure(and nothing to do with being a professional bla bla..)
he needed to be given enough field,and people who believed in him,with enough respect toward the artist in him and his interest in making movies, movie companies and a manager without that smirk on their faces and dollar signs in their eyes when hearing the name Elvis..
I enjoy his movies they're fun for me but sure wasn't for Elvis..

[beckelvis]

Some Of Their Films Amuse Much To Me, But I´m Sure That To It Did Not Like, To Have To Sing Those So Absurd Song To Interpret The Same.

[beckelvis]

It Seems To Me Shameful That To Elvis It Is Possible To Be Compared Ti Him Wiht Spears,and Carey,ect............he Is Good Actor But They Did,not Give The Opportunity To Develope It Him.

[Unchained Melody]

We only have good old Col.Parker to blame for that.(n)

Elvis signed the dotted line.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

There is a world of difference from Elvis' acting career in 1957 and that of 1969, these films are poles apart. In 1957 the roles Elvis were given didn't require Elvis to say too much, just be moody and be a rebel! The less Elvis said the better, the less expressions the better. The mean and moody Elvis encapsulates the 50's Elvis to a "T"

When Elvis left the army there was a deliberate change of charactor for Elvis, the colonel rounded off the edges, smoothed over the rebel Image and made Elvis into what was considered middle America. You can look at this in two ways 1) Believe John Lennon when he said that Elvis died when he went into the army 2) The Colonal made an excellent choice and moved Elvis from a cult act into a mainstream player with longevity.

Also you have to look at the other films being made around the time Elvis was making movies... Clint Eastwood made "Where Eagles Dare" in 1968 Steve McQueen made the film Bullitt. Elvis' films were not of there day even back in the 60's, they were a formula that worked back in 1960-64 but never moved with the times. When Elvis did try something different in 1968-69 it was too late, when you watch Change of Habit the scene where he is rocking the child in his arms.. Brrrr, makes me cringe :cold:

Elvis films were just that..."Elvis Films" they were pink and fluffy in general with a few happy songs to get us from 'A' to 'B'. They were never going to win Oscars but for the most part they entertained the fans.

There are few actors that are versatile, usually they play themselves or one charactor over and over again, look at Bruce Willis or Al Pacino!

Elvis was Elvis in these flimsy fun filled travelogues, In their day they were weak, to judge them now with all the hi tech wizzardary that is around makes it very difficult.

All in all I think Elvis did a good job given the material he was given, if he had been given challenging roles from 1960-69 we would be reviewing a different body of work and a better movie legacy. As has been mentioned there are worse singing actors today :lol:

[MojoElvis]

I think Elvis was up there with Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. They both had their own style and so did Elvis. I believe he had what it took to keep you interested but the material made it impossible for him to progress. King Creole was his best in my opinion. When I showed that movie to my girlfriend she said, I forgot it was an Elvis movie. In her words, it was a "real movie". I've been in two movies and a sitcom before I did the Elvis thing and you'd be surprised at what seems like mediocrity acting on TV, is really good acting in person. Elvis had that and then some.
For the most part I believe that at one point Elvis listen to the media and thought he wasn't that good so he didn't fight for better roles. the Colonels reason was, look at how many people went to see G.I. Blues, and how many went to see, Flaming Star & Wild In The Country.
I know a lot of you guys don't agree with me but that's how I feel.