Love Me Tender (1956)

LOVE ME TENDER

Theatrical-Release: November 11, 1956
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Director: Robert D. Webb
Producer: David Weisbart
Film Lenght: 89 minutes
Colour/B&W: b&w



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Clint Reno - Elvis Presley
Vance Reno - Richard Egan
Cathy Reno - Debra Paget
Brett Reno - William Cambell
Martha Reno - Mildred Dunnock
Ray Reno - James Drury
Mr. Siringo - Robert Middleton
Mike Gavin - Neville Brand
Ed Galt - Russ Conway



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Elvis plays the youngest of four brothers. He's also the only one who's not in the Confederate Army.
The other three brothers: Egan, Campbell and Drury are heading home, but not before they rob the Federal payroll during the last days of the Civil War.

There's a happy family reunion, but things change when Richard Egan finds out that his former sweetheart Paget has married Elvis, because they all thought Egan was killed during the war.
Egan is planning to leave home again and wants to say goodbye to Paget at the family picnic, while Elvis is singing a few songs.

The arrival of Major Bruce Bennett means that Egan and his brothers are arrested and taken to trial.
Elvis meets with other members of Egan's gang and they plan on getting his brothers out.
Richard Egan however wants to return the money to maybe get a light sentence.
Nevertheless his gang rescues the brothers from jail.

Egan don't wants to be a fugitive for the rest of his life and still wants to return the money.
A posse surrounds the farmhouse and Paget hides the money in her dress and escapes together with Egan.

Elvis hears from Neville Brand that his wife has ran off with his brother and with the money. This results in Elvis chasing them and shooting Egan.
At that point Elvis regrets what he did.
When Neville Brand wants to kill Egan Elvis jumps in and is shot himself.

As he dies he says that things are allright now for everyone.


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The original title for "Love Me Tender" was "The Reno Brothers", before Elvis was selected to play the part of Clint Reno.

Filming started in August 1956 and completed in October.

Location filming was done in the San Fernando Valley near Los Angeles.

The original ending was changed after a sneak preview. The new ending had Elvis singing "Love Me Tender" after his burial.

"Love Me Tender" entered Variety's top grossing list at No.2, right behind "Giant".

Movie Trailer:


[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uI_ipC2RCiw"]YouTube- Elvis Presley "Love Me Tender Movie Trailer"[/ame]

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Love Me Tender
Poor Boy
Let Me
We're Gonna Move


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DVD review
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Love Me Tender (1956)
by John J. Puccio

[IMGl]http://www.tcb-world.com/images/reviews/lovemetender_01.jpg[/IMGl]To commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of Elvis's death, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment released several of the King's early films on DVD, including "Flaming Star" (1960), "Wild in the Country" (1961), and the subject of our discussion today, "Love Me Tender" (1956).

Reviewing and rating "Love Me Tender" is a bit awkward because there are really two films to consider. On the one hand it's an ordinary movie-type film telling a rather ordinary story, and then on the other hand it's the first starring vehicle for one of the most popular entertainers in the history of the world. My entertainment rating below is for the film purely as a film, regardless of who's in it or what its historical value may be, in which case, as I say, it's fairly unexceptional stuff. Judged as Elvis's first motion picture, of course, it's priceless.

Appropriate to rock-and-roll's roots in country music, folk, blues, and gospel, and given Elvis's pivotal position in this emerging musical scene as well as his Southern background, "Love Me Tender" is set in Texas just after the close of the American Civil War. It's basically a Western that gives Elvis room to be himself, exude plenty of laid-back, youthful charm, and sing a few staple tunes.

Having missed the film when it initially appeared in theaters, I first saw it in college about a dozen years later. I thought at the time it was juvenile and corny, and I hadn't seen it since. I was a little surprised to find that I liked it better now than I did back then. This is not to say that it's a very good picture--it remains corny and trite--but Elvis's portrayal of a young grieved husband strikes me as less forced and less artificial than it seemed to me earlier.

Richard Egan and Debra Paget get top billing in the film. Egan was a strong, handsome, heroic type who had been in things like "Demetrius and the Gladiators" and "Khyber Patrol," while Paget was just coming off "The Ten Commandments." Elvis was almost an afterthought, getting third billing in the credits as "Introducing Elvis Presley." Ask people today about "Love Me Tender" and ten-to-one they'll tell you it's an Elvis picture. Egan and Paget are lucky even to have their names remembered now, let alone be thought of for this film. Such is the fickleness of time and fortune.

The setting for the story is April, 1865, the end of the Civil War, and two weeks thereafter. Vance Reno (Egan) and his two brothers return home from the War to the old family homestead in Texas, Vance eager to marry his sweetheart, Cathy (Paget), whom he hasn't seen in years. Trouble is, the family got word that Vance had been killed in action, and Vance's younger brother, Clint (Presley), too young to have gone off to fight, stayed on the farm and married Vance's girl. When Vance returns and discovers the situation, he takes it like a gentleman; but it isn't long before friction develops in this triangle, especially when it becomes clear that Cathy still loves Vance. Further complications arise from the theft of a federal payroll by Vance's company on the last day of the War and the government wanting it back.

There's a nice gritty look to the scenery in the film.

The black-and-white photography is particularly striking, and the dusty outdoor shots and the homey indoor touches effectively recreate the time and the place. The movie also has the distinction of being sincere, if not very good. What's more, the last half hour generates a suitable amount of typically old-fashioned Western suspense as jealousy, greed, anger, and pent-up frustrations combine to raise the tension level. I specifically liked Neville Brand, a staple fifties villain, as Mike, a member of Vance's old company, for his increasingly grasping attitude.

But this is really an Elvis film, and the other characters and the plot should be considered merely peripheral. Here, I have to admit that Elvis's songs, like the person he plays, appear tagged on to take advantage of the young singer's rising popularity. In addition to the title song, Elvis gets to sing "Let Me," "We're Going to Move," and "Poor Boy." All these tunes seem to come out of nowhere, and Elvis's famous gyrations are conspicuously out of place in a mid nineteenth-century setting. Indeed, one of his songs is even sung at a town celebration attended by a bevy of teenage girls who "ooh" and "ahh" and carry on at Elvis's performance like a pack of groupies at a Dick Clark Dance Party.

Otherwise, as the poor bewildered, well-meaning Clint, Elvis for the first half of the movie doesn't get much to say but "What's wrong?" and "What's the matter?" It's only in the second half of the film that he comes into his own. Still, he plays his part with conviction, and his celebrated partial-pout, partial-smile, partial sneer is always well on display.

All in all, Elvis made an auspicious debut in "Love Me Tender." He proved he could act if given a chance and that he could entertain movie viewers with a song as well he could ignite a live audience. His young fans in 1956 were suitably impressed, despite his not having much to do in a mediocre film. Let's just say that in the long run of things, his performance transcends the material.

? 2002 John J. Puccio

Love Me Tender
by Janet Branagan

Elvis Presley?s feature film debut, Love Me Tender is the story of two brothers? love for the same woman. The year is 1865 and the U.S. Civil War is just winding down. When young Texas farmer Clint Reno (Presley) gets word his brother Vance (Richard Egan) has died in combat, he turns around and marries his now-deceased sibling?s sweetheart, Cathy (Debra Paget). The only problem is that Clint?s older brother didn?t really die at all. When Vance returns home to reclaim his love, he comes to not only find her in the arms of a new love, but the arms of his new romantic rival ? his own flesh and blood.

A joyous reunion is quickly cooled by Vance?s realization of the newfound development. Gone only a year, Vance?s loved ones have clearly moved on, the marriage taking place three months prior. A film loaded with dramatic interpretations, the actual moment of truth is surprisingly anticlimactic and low key. The fact that Clint doesn?t expect Vance to be upset in the slightest leaves the viewer questioning what sort of romantic triangle is really unfolding. Clint?s naivety revolving around his relationship with Cathy seems to carry over to his views of the family?s livelihood, so much so in fact, that Clint?s character comes off as frustrating and simple minded. The only character who seems moved by the whole event is Cathy ? the pawn in question ? as no one bothers to ask her how she feels about the situation. After witnessing Cathy?s distress, the viewer also begins to wonder what her motivations were for marrying the younger Reno brother in the first place.

As with many Presley movies, and with many films of the 1950s, music is an integral part of the story. Random musical numbers run rampant here, breaking up the heavy-handed plot. The musical scenes do not seem relevant and instead seem rather trite, serving clearly and solely as a vehicle to strut Presley?s stuff. Even in movies where music seems rather out of place, the songs often serve as the driving force to get moviegoers in seats. After all, people were interested in seeing the likes of Presley and Sinatra do what they do best ? sing.

Although the focus of this film is on Presley, his role in the movie is actually more of a supporting player rather than the starring role. It?s also a dramatic introduction, where most of his films to follow were lighter and fluffier than his initial foray into acting. This black and white film still remains a draw, however, due to Presley?s involvement, especially all these years later.

The holes in the plot are filled with weak depictions of the struggle the family encounters keeping their heads above water financially. We also see Vance?s part in taking the US army?s money, plus there are cops and robbers type action sequences. As a result, the focus of the film seems rather choppy. Is the romance a side effect of the tumultuous war or the war a backdrop for the cheesy romantic plot? In fact, the only common element present in Love Me Tender revolves around no win situations. Someone will end up with their heart broken, regardless of the outcome.

Love Me Tender remains a film worth seeing, if only for the diehard Presley fans who still love him tenderly even after all these years.


? Janet Branagan

Love Me Tender (1956)
by Mark Zimmer

"I know you and Cathy used to be fond of each other, but....you ain't got no hard feelings against either one of us now, have you?"
- Clint Reno (Elvis Presley)


Once Elvis hit the music scene, it was probably inevitable that he would give motion pictures a shot. While many of the later Elvis vehicles eventually became exercises in self-parody, they didn't start that way. 20th Century Fox commemorates the 25th anniversary of the King's "alleged" death with the DVD release of his first film, Love Me Tender.

In the waning days of the Civil War, Vance Reno (Richard Egan), together with his brothers Brett (William Campbell) and Ray (James Drury) are part of a Confederate guerrilla force, Randall's Raiders. After they steal a federal payroll to help fund the Confederacy, they learn that the war is over. Rationalizing that the money is the spoils of war, they split the cash and go their separate ways. As the Reno boys return home, Vance is eager to marry his sweetheart Cathy (Debra Paget). But the family has been told that the three of them were killed in the war and little brother Clint (Elvis) has married Cathy in the interim. Soon the brothers come to loggerheads, and the federales come looking for their money....

Unlike most Elvis vehicles, he's not the center of attention here; indeed, he doesn't even make his first appearance until nearly a quarter of the way into the picture. He does a surprisingly effective job as the Vance-worshipping Clint, who gradually becomes disillusioned and then violently, murderously angry. Properly handled, it seems he probably could have had a respectable film career much in the Frank Sinatra vein. He does have the four obligatory songs (Let Me, We're Gonna Move, Poor Boy and the title tune). It hardly seems likely that a boy in the early Reconstruction would be singing country-tinged R&B and dancing with the patented Elvis hip swivel, but that's all stuck in here too, bringing the flow to a grinding halt more than once.

The story, once you get past the songs, is quite effective as well. The dual moral and ethical dilemmas of the brother's wife and what to do with the stolen payroll give this picture a depth not often found in your run-of-the-mill 1950s drama. Richard Egan is a bit stiff but generally appealing. Debra Paget is of course far too glamourous for a Reconstruction woman facing severe hardship, but she gives the role a good try. Probably best in the cast is Mildred Dunwood as Martha Reno, the long-suffering and loving mother of this troublesome clan. She emotes brilliantly with hardly a line of dialogue, torn by her love for her sons and pained by circumstances that tear them apart, in a manner that would do a silent actress proud.

? Mark Zimmer

This film does nothing for me. I avoid it with a passion.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JerryNodak

This film does nothing for me. I avoid it with a passion.

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I feel the same about this movie, I never liked the soundtrack either. This is the only movie I never watch, I have it but never play it

I quite like the Movie, but i prefer the song when it is played at the end. (y)

Updated,

Sonny

I saw this movie in 1956, I was 13 years old my Mom took me to see it in the theater. It was the wildest thing you ever would experience. You couldn't hear a thing that was being said in the movie because there was so much screaming going on. The line went around the building downtown Washington, DC for three blocks. It was quite the event! Kids, teenagers from all over came, I lot of us wore our school jackets so you could see who was from where. It was really something! When Elvis would sing a song the screaming got LOUDER! It didn't matter about the acting part, everyone was just so thrilled to see Elvis!

Tommy :)

This is my favorite movie that Elvis made I recenlty watched it and I love it:cool:

Updated with movie trailer.

And I love that story Tommy!

Sonny

I LOVE SO MUCH THIS ELVIS MOVIE:wub::wub::wub::wub:!!!!!!!!IS MY FAVOURITE:wub::wub::wub::wub:!!!!!!!!FOR ME ELVIS IN THIS MOVIE IS SO BEAUTIFUL GOOD NATURAL AND SWEET:jawdrop::wub::wub:!!!!!!!!AND FOR ME THE MUSIC IS BEAUTIFUL,POWERFUL AND FULL OF ENERGY:wub::wub::wub::wub:!!!!!!!!And when Elvis sing Love Me Tender,Let Me,Poor Boy and Wer'e Gonna Move is SO BEAUTIFUL and AMAZING:wub::wub::wub::jawdrop:!!!!!!!!http://www.tcb-world.com/picture.php...ictureid=11410

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Originally Posted by JerryNodak

This film does nothing for me. I avoid it with a passion.

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The same goes for me.The thing that bothers me is,that I don't think someone would bump and grind while singing in the late 1800's.Maybe had Elvis not did his bumpin' and grinding in that movie,it might be easier for me to watch.

It is a good movie,good cast etc...just get rid of the bumping and grinding.

Excuse,Shelley,but sometimes the movie are just fiction,just reality or fiction and reality.And Love Me Tender is Beautiful also for this scene!Elvis is SO GOOD and BEAUTIFUL:jawdrop::wub::wub::wub::wub:!!!!!!!!My Opinion!

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Originally Posted by GIORGIA

I LOVE SO MUCH THIS ELVIS MOVIE:wub::wub::wub::wub:!!!!!!!!IS MY FAVOURITE:wub::wub::wub::wub:!!!!!!!!FOR ME ELVIS IN THIS MOVIE IS SO BEAUTIFUL GOOD NATURAL AND SWEET:jawdrop::wub::wub:!!!!!!!!AND FOR ME THE MUSIC IS BEAUTIFUL,POWERFUL AND FULL OF ENERGY:wub::wub::wub::wub:!!!!!!!!And when Elvis sing Love Me Tender,Let Me,Poor Boy and Wer'e Gonna Move is SO BEAUTIFUL and AMAZING:wub::wub::wub::jawdrop:!!!!!!!!http://www.tcb-world.com/picture.php...ictureid=11410

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I saw My Favourite Elvis Movie the Day of MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!May 24!!!!!!!!I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE SO MUCH ELVIS IN THIS MOVIE!!!!!!!!

Updated with trailer!

:wub::wub::wub::wub::wub::wub::wub::wub:

It is too sad, but I love it!:hug::king:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tommy

I saw this movie in 1956, I was 13 years old my Mom took me to see it in the theater. It was the wildest thing you ever would experience. You couldn't hear a thing that was being said in the movie because there was so much screaming going on. The line went around the building downtown Washington, DC for three blocks. It was quite the event! Kids, teenagers from all over came, I lot of us wore our school jackets so you could see who was from where. It was really something! When Elvis would sing a song the screaming got LOUDER! It didn't matter about the acting part, everyone was just so thrilled to see Elvis!

Tommy :)

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Thank you to share !!! I just can imagine it ! :D