Elvis’ first movie, a Western, with Richard Egan and Debra Paget
At the end of the Civil War the three Reno brothers come back home with loot from a Union train heist, which they originally intended to give to the Confederate cause. The eldest brother (Richard Egan) is shocked to discover that the youngest brother, who stayed home (Presley), is now married to his sweetheart (Debra Paget) because they thought he died in the war.
"Love Me Tender" (1964) was Elvis’ 1st movie of the 31 in his acting filmography. The title of the film and Elvis' addition were last-minute decisions. His role was originally slated for Cameron Mitchell and the part had to be hastily beefed up for Presley, including his performances of several songs. In light of this, it’s not surprising that Elvis’ role is secondary.
Both Egan and Paget are highlights as impressive examples of cool masculine strength and exquisite feminine beauty respectively. Meanwhile Elvis does fine in his acting debut and is second-to-none in his musical performances (or pantomimes). While critics might complain that no one back then moved like Presley, you could say that the movie explores the possibility of someone of Elvis’ talent & charisma performing during that era. And the flick pulls it off IMHO.
The story’s compelling enough but starts to lose its mojo in the last act. This isn’t helped by the flat B&W photography or the laughably disingenuous geography. (Tell me, do the opening landscapes look anything close to Louisiana?)
The movie runs 1 hour, 29 minutes, and was shot at 20th Century Fox Ranch, Calabasas, and Bell Moving Picture Ranch, Santa Susana Mountains, both in Southern Cal, as well as studio stuff done in Century City.
GRADE: B-
