King Creole, Elvis Presley’s fourth film released by Paramount in 1958, remains a standout picture in his cinematic career. While repeated viewings often solidify opinions, a fresh, objective look reveals nuances previously missed. The film masterfully blends script, music, and acting, creating a benchmark Presley never quite replicated. However, a palpable darkness permeates the narrative, focusing significantly on Elvis Presley’s trouble from the movie King Creole, a core element driving the plot and showcasing his dramatic potential. This analysis delves into the film’s strengths, weaknesses, and enduring legacy as arguably Presley’s finest acting achievement.
Historically, King Creole marked a clear progression in Presley’s acting abilities, building upon improvements seen since his 1956 debut in Love Me Tender. Contemporary critics acknowledged this leap. Variety’s review on May 28, 1958, offered measured praise, noting producer Hal Wallis provided “extraordinary backing” for Presley in a “solid melodrama with plenty of action and color.” The review stated, “The Paramount presentation shows the young singer this time as a better-than-fair actor … Presley does show himself to be a surprisingly sympathetic and believable actor on occasion.”
Similarly, Bob Bernstein in Billboard (May 26, 1958) observed, “Incidents and characters of the original novel are distorted, but the plot stands up well and the dialog is salty. As Danny, Presley exhibits improved histrionics and provides many moving and tense moments.”
Poster art for Elvis Presley’s 1958 film King Creole
The Grit and Drama: Unpacking Danny Fisher’s Struggles
The central theme revolves around the difficulties faced by Presley’s character, Danny Fisher. This focus on Elvis Presley’s trouble from the movie King Creole provided fertile ground for his dramatic performance.
Navigating the New Orleans Underworld
Danny, a troubled youth trying to support his family, gets entangled with the criminal element in New Orleans. His initial involvement in petty crime escalates when he catches the eye of gangster Maxie Fields (Walter Matthau), who tries to force Danny to sing at his club. This conflict forms the primary source of external ‘trouble’ for Danny, placing him in dangerous situations and forcing him to confront ruthless adversaries like Fields and his thug Shark (Vic Morrow). The atmospheric setting of Bourbon Street adds a layer of gritty realism to these struggles.
Internal Conflicts and Moral Choices
Beyond the external threats, Danny grapples with internal turmoil. He struggles between the desire for a better life and the allure of easy, albeit illicit, opportunities. His relationship with his weak-willed father (Dean Jagger) adds another layer of complexity. Danny’s interactions with two women – the “good girl” Nellie (Dolores Hart) and the world-weary Ronnie (Carolyn Jones), Fields’s moll – further highlight his moral dilemmas and the difficult choices he faces. This internal conflict is crucial to the film’s dramatic weight.
Elvis Presley as Danny Fisher in a dramatic scene from King Creole
Critical Acclaim: Recognizing Elvis’s Dramatic Chops
Critics were notably impressed by Presley’s ability to handle the dramatic demands of the role.
Contemporary Reviews Laud Performance
Howard Thompson of the New York Times expressed surprise and admiration in his July 4, 1958 review: “As the lad himself might say, cut my legs off and call me Shorty! Elvis Presley can act… Acting is his assignment in this shrewdly upholstered showcase, and he does it, so help us over a picket fence.” This sentiment reflected a growing recognition of Presley’s potential beyond mere singing and hip-swiveling.
More Than Just Singing: A Genuine Actor Emerges
While music was integral, King Creole allowed Presley to demonstrate genuine acting range. Variety noted that while Presley maintained his signature energy during rock-and-roll numbers, “he also does some very pleasant, soft and melodious, singing, unlike most of his better known work.” Billboard echoed this, stating, “Presley sings … with verve and welcome variations of style against brass backing unusual for him.” The praise, however, extended significantly to his portrayal of Danny Fisher’s complex emotional journey.
Behind the Trouble: Why King Creole Worked
Several factors contributed to the film’s success and its status as a high point for Presley.
Elvis Presley in a candid moment during the filming of King Creole
A Role Tailored for Presley’s Intensity
The character of Danny Fisher was an excellent fit for Elvis at this stage. The role required a brooding intensity and a vulnerability beneath a tough exterior, qualities Presley naturally embodied. The character’s development offered a genuine challenge, allowing him to showcase more than just charisma. Significantly, Danny’s romantic entanglements served the plot rather than defining his character arc, preventing the story from devolving into the formulaic romances of his later films.
Stellar Supporting Cast and Direction
Elvis was bolstered by an exceptional team. Variety praised director Michael Curtiz and cameraman Russell Harlan for their “wonders with low-key lighting and adroit camera angles” and Harlan’s “realistic” black-and-white cinematography. The supporting cast was equally strong. Howard Thompson highlighted Walter Matthau as the “murderous gangster enemy,” Dean Jagger as the “weak, fumbling father,” and gave special mention to Carolyn Jones, stating she “steals the acting honors” as the “toughly sensitive fallen gal.” Billboard’s Bernstein also called Jones “a knockout,” noting her scenes with Presley were among the film’s finest. This talented ensemble undoubtedly elevated Presley’s own performance.
The Music’s Role Amidst the Drama
Even within this dramatic framework, King Creole successfully integrated Presley’s musical performances. While arguably featuring too many songs for a serious drama – the five-and-dime distraction scene feels forced, and the instant audience adoration after “Dixieland Rock” stretches credulity – the music serves a purpose. The songs punctuate the narrative, breaking up the otherwise steady, sometimes slow-moving plot, which reserves most of its overt action for the climax. Without the musical numbers, the film would be a much darker, more deliberate character study.
Conclusion
Decades later, King Creole endures as a critical favorite and is often cited by fans as Elvis Presley’s best film. The compelling narrative, drawn from Harold Robbins’ novel A Stone for Danny Fisher, provided a non-formulaic script rich with conflict and character depth. The focus on Elvis Presley’s trouble from the movie King Creole – the character’s entanglement with crime, his moral struggles, and his fight for survival – allowed him to deliver his most convincing and complex performance. Surrounded by veteran talent and guided by skilled direction, Presley rose to the occasion. Sadly, King Creole marked the apex of his serious acting aspirations at just 23. While he would attempt dramatic roles later, the financial success of lighter musical fare ultimately steered his Hollywood path away from the potential glimpsed in this gritty, atmospheric classic. King Creole remains a powerful reminder of the dramatic actor Elvis might have become.
