"Jailhouse Rock" premiered on October 17, 1957 and was released nationwide on November 8. In the US and Canada it grossed 4 million USD in rentals and made it to number 14 in the list of the most successful movies of the year. In total "Jailhouse Rock" made more money than "Loving You", but still less than "Love Me Tender". By using the factor 15 we can estimate that "Jailhouse Rock" would have grossed 120 million USD today with 60 million USD for MGM. The German audience had to wait until April 1958 to see "Rhythmus Hinter Gittern" (translated it would be "Rhythm Behind Bars").

Storyline

After a brawl Vince Everett (Elvis) is sentenced to jail. Here he meets former country star Mickey Shaughessy, who teaches him to play the guitar and to sing. A tv show aired directly from the jail makes him a star, but after his release Vince is taken advantage of by the record label and by Mickey. With his manager Peggy he establishes his own record company, but the fame and fortune go to his head and he turns into an arrogant, selfish person. In a fight with Mickey his larynx get injured and Vince is in danger to loose his voice. That makes him realize what he has done and he starts a new life.

Production Staff

Pandro S. Berman (producer), Richard Thorpe (director), Guy Trosper (script, based on a story by von Ned Young), Jeff Alexander (music), Robert Broner (camera), Ralph E. Winters (editor).

Principal Cast

Elvis Presley (Vince Everett), Judy Tyler (Peggy Van Alden), Mickey Shaughnessy (Hunk Houghton), Vaughn Taylor (Mr. Shores), Jennifer Holden (Sherry Wilson) und Dean Jones (Teddy Talbot). . The German voice of Elvis was dubbed by Herbert Stass.

Production

Colonel Parker had learned his lesson well and so he demanded $250,000 and a profit share of 50% for his client when MGM asked if Elvis would make a movie with them. Today the singer would have been paid 3.75 million USD, the profit share would have made him twice as much...at least. The budget of "Jailhouse Rock" was a million USD, so excluding Elvis' fee the producer had $750,000 to make the movie. Therefore Mr. Bergman decided to shoot in cheap black and white and to do without famous and expensive co-stars. Because time was money the whole movie was made between May 13 and June 14, 1957. With everything done in a hurry, some mistakes were overlooked. When Vince performs "Baby I Don't Care" his musicians (once again Scotty Moore, Bill Black and DJ Fonatna) are suddenly wearing sunglasses! But apart from funny things like that the music was showcased in cool and unique style, today the presentation of "Jailhouse Rock" is regarded to be the blueprint for music clips.

Soundtrack

This time RCA Victor just released a single and an extended player. Both performed very well, the ep even became the most successful release of that format. By tapping on the covers you'll be forwarded to the accordant reviews.  

Home Entertainment

A blu ray with a hd version of "Jailhouse Rock" was released as early as 2007. For a short review tap on the cover.