Frankie & Johnny (1965)

FRANKIE AND JOHNNY

Theatrical-Release: 1965
Studio: United Artists
Director: Fred De Cordova
Producer: Edward Small
Film Length: 87 mins
Colour/B&W: Colour


Cast:

Johnny - Elvis Presley
Frankie - Donna Douglas
Nellie Bly - Nancy Kovack
Mitzi - Sue Ane Langdon
Braden - Anthony Eisley
Cully - Harry Morgan (starred in "MASH" the tv-series in later years)
Pog - Audrey Christie
Blackie - Robert Strauss
Wilbur - Jerome Cowan

Story:

Donna Douglas and Elvis love each other, but Elvis loves to gamble almost as much.
She won't marry him, unless he gives up gambling and losing every buck he makes.
The both of them earn a living performing on a Mississippi showboat owned by Anthony Eisley.
Elvis is on a real losing streak and decides to visit a gypy fortune-teller. She tells Elvis that he could win again with the new redhead that will come into his life.

The redhead turns out to be Nancy Kovack, who's also Eisley's old sweetheart.

Everybody gets jealous: Donna of Nancy Kovack and Eisley of Elvis, especially because Nancy is using Elvis to get Eisley to marry her.

Harry Morgan, Elvis' friend, writes a new song: "Frankie And Johnny", that is sung on the showboat. It seems that Elvis and Donna will be Broadway stars.

As the fortune-teller foresaw, Elvis starts winning together with Nancy, but Donna throws all of the money away, being very angry.

Then Eisley's co-worker, while trying to help his boss, puts a real bullet in the gun that is used by Donna to "shoot" Elvis in the finally of their "Frankie And Johnny" performance.

Luckily enough the lucky charm that Elvis wears saves his life, stopping the bullet. Donna figures she loves Elvis no matter what and that's another happy end.

Behind The Scenes:

The song "Frankie And Johnny" goes back to the early 19th Century when it was known as "Francoise Et Jean".

Filming began on May 24, 1965. The movie was filmed entirely on the Culver City lot in Los Angeles, California.

Donna Douglas - a one time Miss New Orleans - was best known for her appearances in "The Beverly Hillbillies" tv-series.

"Frankie And Johnny" reached No.48 in Variety's top-grossing chart for 1966.

Movie trailer:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6gP8aXdWio"]YouTube- Frankie And Johnny - Original Trailer 1966[/ame]

Songs:


Frankie And Johnny
Come Along
Petunia The Gardener's Daughter
Chesay
What Every Woman Lives For
Look Out, Broadway
Beginner's Luck
Down By The Riverside/When The Saints Go Marching In
Shout It Out
Hard Luck
Please Don't Stop Loving Me
Everybody Come Aboard

Related Links:

Pictures: www.tcb-world.com/gallery/browseimages.php?c=71&userid=

"Frankie and Johnny were lovers" goes the old folktale. And this movie lets their story play out on the big screen in glorious color. Good script. Capable direction by Fred DeCordova,
who went on to direct The Tonight Show w/ Johnny Carson for decades. Great supporting cast and very enjoyable soundtrack.

I love this movie! I just recently saw it and I fell in love with it!!! Elvis looks so great in this film! ...Not like doesn't ever NOT look good though, hehe. I would definitely recommend seeing it! (y)

This movie gives you a nice impression of the era it's set in.

Somehow it "feels" different then your regular Elvis movie.
Harry Morgan as Elvis' "sidekick" does a nice job. (You could remember him from his role in the tv series of MASH).

The songs are okay (apart from Petunia, The Gardener's Daughter) which is so not Elvis...

On some of the other tracks Elvis comes as close to Jazz music as he ever was, with lots of swing and brass.

Once more you come to realise that Elvis really tried all kinds of musical styles.

Updated,

Sonny

Updated with new trailer.