On July 2, 1958 "King Creole" hit the cinemas, in Variety's weekly box office survey it was ranked at number 5. More than three months later, on October 24th, the movie was also shown in Germany. Here it was called "Mein Leben Ist Der Rhythmus" which means "Rhythm Is My Life".

Storyline

Before start of school Danny Fischer (Elvis) works as a cleaner in a nightclub to support his workless father. Here he makes contact with a gangster named Maxie Fields and his girlfriend Ronnie. But after meeting Nellie, he wants to lead a honest life and starts a singing career at the King Creole Club. Thereupon Fields forces Danny to perform at his club and things get nasty.

Production Staff

Hal B. Wallis (producer), Michael Curtiz (director), Herbert Baker und Michael V. Gazzo (script, based on the novel "A Stone For Danny Fisher"), Walter Scharf (music), Russell Harlan (camera), John P. Fulton (editor).

Principal Cast

Elvis Presley (Danny Fisher), Carolyn Jones (Ronnie), Walter Matthau (Maxie Fields), Dolores Hart (Nellie), Dean Jagger (Mr. Fisher), Jan Shepard (Mimi) und Vic Morrow (Shark). The German voice of Elvis was dubbed by Rainer Brandt.

Production

As early as February 1955 Hal B. Wallis had paid $25,000 for the rights to the book "A Stone For Danny Fisher" by Harold Robbins. James Dean was to play the boxer Danny Fisher, but after his death Paramount shelved the project. Two years later it was decided to use the movie as a vehicle for Elvis Presley and the main character was turned into a singer.

According to the original contract with Paramount Elvis was to be paid $20,000, but Colonel Parker made the studio pay a bonus of $50,000 and a "cost lump sum" of $30,000. So in total the king received $100,000, which was as much as he had gotten from 20th Century Fox for "Love Me Tender", but not even half of what MGM had paid for "Jailhouse Rock". A share in the profits was also out of question. Financially "King Creole" was a huge step back, but on the other hand Paramount gave Elvis the opportunity to work with Michael Curtiz (who had also directed "Casablanca") and to work with actors like Walter Matthau ("Charade", "The Odd Couple") and Carolyn Jones ("House Of Wax", "The Man Who Knew Too Much"). Artistically "King Creole" was the best, the young star had ever done. In December 1957 the project was jeopardized when Elvis received his draft notice and was informed that his military service was about to begin on January 20, 1958. After writing a letter and asking for a postponement, the convocation was rescheduled to March 24, 1958 and the movie was produced according to plan.

Soundtrack

In June and July 1958 RCA Victor issued a single and two extended players. Two month later the management of the label thought they would be missing sales if the tracks were not released on a long player, too.  In total the records sold nine million copies. By tapping on the covers you'll be forwarded to the accordant reviews.  

Home Entertainment

In 2020 Paramount released a blu ray with a remastered version of "King Creole", based on a brand new 4k scan of the original negatives. For a short review tap on the cover.