Loving You (1957)

Simply A Masterpiece

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

'Loving You' was The King Elvis Presley's second movie (his first in colour) and is a decent fare, if a little dated for 2015, as you'd understandably expect. The film mirrors what was going on in Elvis' real career at that time. A rapid rise to fame, adoring female fans (their agitated boyfriends)and the songs in the film are really good, as are the cast. Interestingly, the lead female Delores Hart, quit the business a few years after this was made to become a nun, which she still is today. She also appeared opposite Elvis in 1958's 'King Creole'. All in all, although not one of MY personal favourite Elvis movies, 'Loving You' is regarded by most as one of The King's three stand out films, and you can see why.

Elvis Presley’s second film and his first in color has, on the surface of it, a standard ‘road-to-stardom’ plot which probably mirrored The King’s own rise to fame, though obviously given the Hollywood treatment with an older female press agent falling for him, the singer almost giving up his career at the moment of triumph, etc. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that this occasionally plays like a lighter version of Elia Kazan’s A FACE IN THE CROWD which was actually released a few days before the Elvis movie…although the success story turning sour bit was more thoroughly dealt with in Elvis’ next outing, JAILHOUSE ROCK (1957)! Of the four new vehicles of his that I’ve watched so far, this is clearly the most satisfactory what with the pleasant Technicolor, the professional Hollywood handling and a solid supporting cast (Lizabeth Scott, Wendell Corey, James Gleason), etc. The underrated Corey excels in his portrayal of a has-been entertainer reduced to headlining a modest traveling rockabilly act until Elvis joins the troupe that is and, unsurprisingly, steals his thunder; Lizabeth Scott takes some time getting used to here as the scheming press agent but she acquits herself fairly well in the long run and lovely Dolores Hart is the singer whom the public merely “tolerates” but whose charm and modesty win over the troubled Elvis.Presley himself is here still full of the raw magnetism which made him a sensation at the time as he belts out one electrifying hit tune after another, from “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear” and “Got A Lot O’ Livin’ To Do” to “(Let’s Have A) Party” and the title ballad, of course. Actually, it was while leafing through the first edition of Guinness’ “All-Time Top 1000 Albums” of 1994 that I became interested more than ever before in Elvis’ musical heritage since he had an impressive 8 entries in that list, including this film’s soundtrack album and the subsequent one for KING CREOLE (1958).

I know that title belongs to Dolores Gray in another 50s sensation ITS ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER but it could also be applied to the incomparable LIZABETH SCOTT in LOVING YOU....that is if you can tear your eyes from ELVIS in his first color film. Aged just 22 during production this is like CRY BABY for real.....and if only JOHNNY DEPP was as handsome (haha). LOVING YOU is a very good 50s color pop culture film and clearly shows how the early Elvis pix are the best (also like KING CREOLE or JAILHOUSE ROCK) The Technicolor print is stunning and the enjoyable 50s rockabilly tone is perfect. The TEDDY BEAR number is sheer perfection: Elvis+ 1957+ Technicolor +pop imagery + the music.

Yes it's a middle of the road "Let's love Elvis" homage, but with good good sprinkling of songs. Basically a sentimental semi biog. with a nice performance from Wendell Corey (The man with Steve McQueen's eyes) If your abiding image of Elvis is Overweight Jumpsuit don't miss the last five minutes, the young King's rendition of 'Lot of Livin' to do'with make you sweat-energy, youth and joy. It is one the sexiest two minutes of 1950's hollywood celluloid. WOW!