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
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

[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.

[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.