JAILHOUSE ROCK (1957)

Colonel Parker never read a script to any of his client's films, to him there were just means to an end . I'm thinking maybe he should have, especially towards the end of ELVIS PRESLEY's film career with such stinkeroos as STAY AWAY JOE (1968) LIVE A LITTLE  LOVE, A LITTLE (1968), THE TROUBLE WITH GIRLS (1969), EASY COME , EASY GO (1967) , just to name a few.  Parker's only request that the movie provide a platform to showcase Elvis's musical talents as much as humanly possible. With very good reason I may add, Elvis and The Colonel had complete ownership to all the songs on screen. JAILHOUSE ROCK proved to be highly lucrative, containing the title track, Treat Me Nice, and Don't Leave Me Now.

As the title suggests Elvis's character Vince Everett does time at the big house. Everett is found guilty for manslaughter for defending a lady( use in loosest term possible).  It all started when the lady in question made a beeline for Vince  (Elvis Presley) sitting on the other end of the bar , after her escort goes to the john. Vince is clearly not interested in this cougar, but is polite. Clearly this LADY is overheated and starts spouting off what time she gets off work, only to overheard by her friend. He  is not too thrilled with the idea of sharing and starts to push her around. Vince tells him;  "That's no way to treat a lady." Fists began to fly , until Vince is the only one standing and the other guy out cold... dead cold.

Vince ends up bunking in cell with a senior prisoner Hunk Houghton (Mickey Shaughnessy), a former country singer doing time for a bank job that went south. Hunk tries to give Vince some advice about how it works there, like if you want a good haircut or a "fresh fish special" meaning a hack job . But to get a good one it will cost you three packs of cigarettes , if you don't money. Vince decides to forgo the advice and regrets it sporting a "fresh fish special " .

After being subjected to Hunk's so called singing, Vince decides to give it  a whirl. When Vince finishes "You're so young and beautiful", the prisoners clamor for more. Hunk spots that Vince has talent for singing and decides to put him in the prisoner's show, which going to broadcast coast to coast on a show called Breath of the Nation. After performing on the show, Vince received a bag load of fan mail, which Hunk decides to keep from him, maybe because he was jealous he didn't get any. But being no fool, Hunk suggests to Vince that they go into show business together and presents him with a prepared contract splitting everything 50/50. Vince agrees and signs the contract.

When Vince was release from prison, he was handed  a sack full of his fan mail that Hunk had withheld from him as a departing gift. Vince stops at the Café La Florita hoping for a singing gig. But the owner ( Percy Helton) was not interested in hiring unknown talent, even after he mention that Hunk sent him. Vince decides to do an impromptu concert , hoping to convince the owner to hire him. But while performing Vince becomes quite agitated by a customer talking over his singing, that he ends up smashing his guitar over the customer's table.  Following behind Vince as he leaves , is Peggy ( Judy Taylor), the girl he just met at the bar, who just happens to work in the record business. Does Peggy think Vince has talent or likes the way he swings a guitar ? 

Vince spends 20 dollars and cuts his own record, reinventing his own singing style singing "Don't Leave Me Now" and is off to Geneva Records to promote it. Unfortunately, Vince learns the hard way that the industry doesn't always play fair, his song and his singing style is stolen for another artist. Vince decides to cut another record , but this time he's going to create his own record company with the help from Peggy, who quits her job . Vince next song is real hit with everyone in the studio. Peggy recruits a disc jockey friend (Dean Jones) to promote it. The record is hit , but Vince and Peggy relationship hits a sour note. But on the upside, Vince receives a surprise visit by former Jailbird Hunk or is it. Hunk wants a spot on Vince's upcoming TV special , feeling obligated Vince grants his wish. Vince's show stopper " Jailhouse Rock" was an overwhelming success, Hunk's number not such much. Vince tries to unload Hunk, but is reminded of their contract. Vince tells Hunk the contract is not worth the ink it was written on, but will give 10 percent instead of the 50 percent. Hunk agrees.

After the success of the TV Special, next stop Hollywood to Climax Pictures (sounds like a name for a porn studio), but its not. Everyone seems to be excited have Vince apart of the studio, except for Climax startlet  Sherry Wilson ( Jennifer Holden) who gives him the cold shoulder. But it won't be long before Vince dethaws  the icy cool blonde during a kissing scene. In one of memorable musical number , Vince shakes his money maker poolside to " Baby , You're so Square."  is reunited with his partner Peggy with lukewarm results. An offer to big to pass up is offered to Vince from the Geneva Records, the very one that pulled a fast one. This time they are on the level and want to buy Laurel Records,  plus giving Vince an exclusive  recording contract. But where does that leave Peggy, who gave up her job to form Geneva Records ?

Vince invites Peggy over to discuss the fate of Laurel Records. Peggy doesn't want to sell, but has no choice, because Vince owns 60 percent of the company. As Vince would say "that's how the mop flops !" Peggy leaves upset, which prompts Hunk to teach Vince a lesson on how to treat people. Hunk takes off his jacket and starts punching Vince all over the room. Vince never raises hand to Hunk, only trying to reason with him. Then Hunk take one blow to Vince's throat knocking him over the couch. Vince lays there , gasping  for breath. Hunk gets help and Vince is quickly rushed to the hospital. Peggy and Hunk are told by the doctor, it was a close call. The blow hit him in his Adam's apple causing it to swell, cutting off his windpipe. The doctor had to perform a tracheotomy, but there is no guarantee if he will ever sing again. Vince completely recovers, but is afraid to sing. The doctor encourages Vince to sing , to see if he sounds the same as he once did. Vince agrees, but has no one to play for him. Peggy rushes to the door to let the band in ( just happens to be waiting outside). Vince starts sing "Young and Beautiful" clutching at his throat , adding a little drama.  All ends well, as the film concludes with Vince getting his singing voice back.
                               
  FILM FACTS

Judy Taylor died in an automobile accident on July3,1957, three days  after completing JAILHOUSE ROCK.

"Jailhouse Rock" is voted #21 in the 100 years,
100 songs of the American Film Institute.

JAILHOUSE ROCK premiered on Oct17,1957 in
Memphis Tennessee. It was released nationally on Nov 8,1957.

Elvis refused to watch JAILHOUSE ROCK, because of the tragic death of leading lady Judy Tyler.

In 2004, The National Film Registry selected JAILHOUSE ROCK for preservation in the Library of Congress.

IMMORTAL DIALOGUE

Peggy :  " How dare you think such cheap tactics
would work on me ! "
Vince : " That ain't tactics honey. Its just the beast in me ."
                     

                    THE CAST
Vince Everett ... Elvis Presley
Peggy Van Allen ... Judy Taylor
Hunk Houghton ... Mickey Shaughnessy
Mr. Shores ... Vaughn Taylor
Sherry Wilson ... Jennifer Holden
Teddy Talbot ... Dean Jones
Laury Jackson ... Anne Neyland

MY BOTTOM LINE IS ...
JAILHOUSE ROCK is probably one of Elvis Presley's best films. That's not saying that JAILHOUSE ROCK is a great movie, because it isn't. But it's a far cry from other films that came down the pipeline, with a few exceptions. Most were corny, which only requisite was for Elvis look handsome  and sing to swooning admirers. The  later films didn't challenge Elvis as actor , who show potential in here, and King Creole. Yes, critics in the beginning criticize Presley's rebel persona. James Dean & Marlon Brando influences seemed to be infused in Presley's swagger with Judy Taylor. Presley gives his best Rebel without a cause with a twist of The Wild One. Certainly, Presley could have been molded into good if not great actor, rather than a commodity. Personally, this is one of my favorite Elvis movies and believe me, I have seen them all. Growing up with a mother, who was huge Elvis fan, you couldn't help but be subjected to his music and films.

ALL ABOUT EVE (1950)

After appearing in the debacle BEYOND THE FOREST (1949), Bette Davis was RELEASED from her CONTRACT with Warner Brothers as she REQUESTED. No longer did Davis have to accept scripts that were beneath her by Jack Warner. Davis's glory days as the reigning queen at Warner were over being declared the "Worst Actress" of 1949 for BEYOND THE FOREST. Now a free agent, Davis was able to pursue other offers from the studios, like the lackluster melodrama PAYMENT ON DEMAND for RKO studios. After filming was completed, an unexpected offer came in Davis's direction. The role of Margo Channing was the game- changer she needed to put her back on top again.

    

PLOT SYNOPSIS (Spoilers Alert !!!): 

Bette Davis plays AGING Broadway DIVA  Margo Channing, whose life is about to CHANGE after a chance MEETING with a DEVOTED fan, Eve Harrington (Anne Baxter). The INTRODUCTION was prompt by Margo's best friend Karen Richards(Celeste Holmes) who COAXED Eve from the ALLEY behind the theater to meet her IDOL. Eve is HUMBLED to MEET  the Great Margo Channing, her favorite stage actress in her dressing room.

 According to Eve, she has seen every performance of the new production of " Aged in Wood". Margo, herself RECALLS seeing her MOUSY FAN in the TRENCH COAT at every one of the performances. Also, in the dressing room, Eve is introduced to Karen's playwright husband Lloyd Richards ( Hugh Marlowe), and Margo's stage maid Birdy ( Thelma Ritter).

Everyone in the dressing room is CURIOUS to learn the BACK STORY of this CRAZED fan who doesn't seem to have a life, other than going to see Margo's play night after night. Eve gives them a SOB STORY to end all sob stories bringing tears to Margo's eyes. After Eve finished, Birdy quipped "What a story! Everything but the bloodhounds snapping at her rear end ."

 Then enters Margo's Director / Boyfriend Bill Simpson (Gary Merrill) who is packed to go Hollywood and ready to be driven to the airport. Eve gets up to leave, but Margo INSISTS that she comes along to airport for they can TALK after Bill is on his plane, That very night Eve's possessions were sent for because she was MOVING into the GUEST ROOM of Margo's penthouse. Was it fate or bad karma that led Eve to become Margo's assistant overnight?

Next following weeks seemed surreal to Margo, under the care of her more than efficient ASSISTANT Eve. Margo was NEVER neglected, all her cares and her needs were MANAGED by Eve.  One night, after Margo ( looking like an OLD  Julie from JEZEBEL) had given one of her tour de force performances,  she slipped out of her southern belle costume, which presented an opportunity for the ever so eager Eve. Instead of calling for the wardrobe woman, Eve VOLUNTEERS to RETURN  the COSTUME back to wardrobe. After Eve had left to go to the wardrobe department, Margo was reminded by Birdy that the wardrobe woman would be up in arms that someone else is doing her job. Margo stepped out of her dressing room to intercept Eve from returning her costume, only to see that Eve hadn't gone to the wardrobe. 

Instead, Eve was out on the stage billowing out her costume PRETENDING to be her. Margo told Eve, she doesn't need to bring back the costume, instead, the wardrobe woman will pick it up. An AWKWARD moment passed between the two women, which will snowball into something much bigger in the future.

Something seemed to be eating at Margo, ever since she was awakened from her much-deserved BEAUTY SLEEP from a person to person phone call she apparently placed to wish Bill a happy birthday. The problem is Margo forgot it was Bill's Birthday, didn't place the call, Eve did and didn't give her a heads up about it. Her eager beaver Eve may have just CROSS the line making her feel GUILTY that it was not her idea.

 Margo decides to CONSULT with Birdy about Eve, who seems to have disliked her from the beginning. Birdy gives her NO HOLDS BAR  take on Eve, saying that she is STUDYING Margo like she was a BLUEPRINT and needs to watch her back. After her GIRL TALK with Birdy, Margo sees more clearly now. The wool has been uplifted from her eyes, she is no longer the PATSY being taken in by an OPPORTUNIST.

Bill returns home to a party in his honor. Unfortunately, Margo finds out that he had been downstairs talking to Eve for 20 minutes, not bothering to come upstairs to see her. When Margo joins Bill and Eve downstairs, he could feel the CHILL in the air, and there was definitely FROST on Margo's rhubarb. Eve is quickly dismissed out of the room by Margo.  Bill could feel the TENSION that Margo was sending towards Eve. Bill tells her, that is she just a STAR-STRUCK kid, who doesn't have the survivor's skills that she has and that her RESENTMENT is displaced. Then the age factor crept up into the conversation, bringing out all of Margo's insecurities about Eve being so much YOUNGER. And the fact, that Bill is eight years younger than she is(but you would never know it). 

Suddenly, the penthouse is filled with guests like Producer  Max Fabian (Gregory Ratoff), The Richards, the FLAMBOYANT Theater Critic Addison De Witt ( George Sanders ), who introduces his lovely protégé Miss Casswell (Marilyn Monroe) to Margo.  De Witt asked Margo if she would rehearse some lines with Miss Casswell next week. She agreed, anything to help the aspiring younger PRETTIER competition.

 Then Margo makes her way up the staircase, then turns back to her guests giving a FAIR WARNING with the famous quote " Fasten your safety belts, we're in for a bumpy night." Before the evening would come to end, schemes would be made. The first, Margo would UNLOAD Eve onto Max Fabian to work in his office, no longer wanting to be her benefactress. And the second, Eve would ask Karen for a favor to be Margo's understudy.

Margo arrives for Miss Casswell 's audition fashionably late, only to hear that Eve read in her place with Miss Casswell, because she was her new UNDERSTUDY. Margo hits the roof, berating Lloyd and Bill for SCHEMING behind her back. Bill tries to explain to Margo but ends up walking out under the PRESUMPTION of her insanely jealous for Eve. Karen is outrage with Margo's behavior and decides to teach her lesson, CONSPIRING with Eve to have her miss her next performance. 

Eve received RAVE REVIEWS for taking Margo's place in Addison's column also was quoted making UNCOMPLEMENTARY comments about AGING ACTRESSES who continue to  play YOUNGER roles. Eve makes a play for Bill, who REBUFFS her advances, sending him back into Margo's arm.

A meeting in the ladies' room, proves that Eve will stop at nothing until she gets what she wants when she BLACKMAILS Karen for the lead in Lloyd's new play. Eve THREATENS to tell Margo that it was Karen,  who ORCHESTRATED the plan to have her miss that performance if she doesn't play along. When Karen is about to confess all, is taken off the hook by Margo announcing that she retiring from the stage. Not only did Eve get the role in Lloyd 's play, but she manages to seduce Lloyd who intends to leave Karen and marry her. 

But Addison has other plans for Eve for himself ( apparently not a  gay character or perhaps a lavender marriage arrangement). Eve is not the only SHARK  in the TANK, as she finds out that Addison did some investigating in her past and dug the TRUTH beneath her lies, finding out that she is not a widow, because she has NEVER been married. Also, Eve had an AFFAIR with her MARRIED employer, then was paid by his wife to leave town and never return.

After WINNING the BEST ACTRESS of the YEAR, Eve gives a very HEARTFELT acceptance speech, something which would have proper if only she actually had a HEART. Eve thanked everyone ( including Margo) who she'd DOUBLE-CROSSED or STEP ON to get the TOP. After her speech, Eve was greeted by a STANDING OVATION.  Eve certainly proved how good of ACTRESS she could be, since she didn't mean a word of it.

Quickly, Margo swoops in to give her CONGRATULATIONS to the VIPER that nearly DESTROYED her life. The BROADWAY DIVA remains POISE, fighting off the URGE to RIP her RIVAL to SHREDS. Margo utters " Nice speech Eve, but I wouldn't worry too much about your HEART. You can always put your AWARD where your HEART ought to be."

Disturbed by Margo's HEARTFELT compliment, Eve decides NOT to ATTEND the PARTY in her HONOR. Instead, she tells Addison that she wants to RETURN to the HOTEL. When Eve ARRIVES at her HOTEL ROOM,  she surprised to find a COMPLETE STRANGER sleeping in a chair. The STRANGER  turns out to a DEVOTED FAN named Phoebe ( Barbara Bates). Eve immediately REACTS to her FIRST INSTINCT by CALLING  the POLICE.

Desperately the DEVOTED FAN pleads her case trying to CONVINCE Eve that it was her GREAT ADMIRATION of her that drove her to SNEAK into the hotel room. Eve, who is so SELF-ABSORBED  with her tonight's TRIUMPH, decides to give her  FAN a chance. Phoebe offers to PACK Eve's trunk who is HOLLYWOOD  bound.

The FINALE leads us to believe that the DEVOTED FAN would become Eve's ASSISTANT. Thus, she starts the cycle all over again, this time Eve becomes Margo, being taken in by someone like herself. Phoebe drapes Eve's cape over her shoulders, holding her AWARD like a BROADWAY DIVA.

FILM FACTS:


Bette Davis said that she modeled the character Margo Channing after Tallulah Bankhead.

Joan Crawford was offered the role of Margo Channing but was already working on THE DAMNED DON'T CRY (1950).

The role of Bill was intended for Ronald Reagan or John Garfield.
Nancy Davis (future Mrs. Reagan) was considered for the role of Karen Richards.

Ultimately Claudette Colbert had the part of Margo but had to withdraw due to injury she received while filming THREE CAME HOME (1950). Susan Hayward was rejected for the role, considered too young.

Starlet Marilyn Monroe had an unpleasant experience with the seasoned professional Bette Davis, who had no tolerance for the multiple takes to complete Miss Caswell's introduction scene. After Monroe was browbeaten by Davis, she left to vomit.

ALL ABOUT EVE (1950) is the only film in Oscar history to receive FOUR female acting nominations. Bette Davis and Anne Baxter for BEST ACTRESS and Thelma Ritter and Celeste Holmes for BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS.

The Role of Miss Casswell was intended for Angela Lansbury before Marilyn Monroe got the part.

Bette Davis fell in love with Gary Merrill during the filming of ALL ABOUT EVE (1950).  They married a few weeks after filming and adopted a little girl named Margot. After they divorced ten years later, Davis is quoted as saying that they married their characters from ALL ABOUT EVE, instead of the actual people.

Barbara Bates died 19 years later, after appearing in ALL ABOUT EVE (1950) by committing suicide by carbon monoxide at age 43.

In the 1970s, Anne Baxter played Margo Channing in the Broadway Production of the Musical version of ALL ABOUT EVE  called APPLAUSE succeeding Lauren Bacall.

IMMORTAL DIALOGUE:

" I couldn't tell the REAL  from the UNREAL, except the UNREAL seemed more REAL to me."

" What a story! Everything but the BLOODHOUNDS snapping at her rear end."

"FASTEN your SAFETY BELTS, it's going to be a BUMPY NIGHT!"

Karen: "I'm Sorry, Margo ."
Margo: " What for? It isn't though you personally drained the gas tank yourself."

                  "Where is Princess... Fire and Music ?"

            

     " Why do they always look like unhappy rabbits?" 

Margo: "She only thinks only of me, doesn't she?"

Birdy: " Well, let's say she thinks about you anyway."
Margo: "How do you mean?"
Birdie: " I tell you how: like she's studying you like you was a play or book or set of blueprints. How you work, eat, think, sleep..."

Margo: " I'm sure there's nothing wrong with it."

" I will never forget this night as long as I live and I will never forget you for making it possible."

"Nice speech Eve, but I wouldn't worry too much about your heart. You can always put your award where your heart ought to be."

  THE CAST:
Bette Davis (Margo Channing), Anne Baxter (Eve Harrington),
Gary Merrill (Bill Simpson), George Sanders(Addison De Witt), Celeste Holm (Karen Richards), Hugh Marlowe (Lloyd Richards), Thelma Ritter ( Birdy Coonan), Marlyn Maxwell (Miss Marlowe), George Ratoff (Max Fabian), Barbara Bates (Phoebe).
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz.        

 MY  BOTTOM LINE ...
ALL ABOUT EVE (1950)  is a true classic, an essential, and a testament of the theater world. Excellent performances from a top-notch cast, especially from the film's leading lady. Bette Davis vertically plays herself in the role of Margo Channing with her tough as nails persona and a dash of vulnerability. Davis makes Margo likable and human- like the actress herself.

And there is Anne Baxter who gave the best performance of her career as the eternal Eve Harrington. Baxter admits that she fashioned Eve after a bitchy understudy she had on Broadway in a play called "SEEN BUT NOT HEARD" at the tender age of 13. The performance earned Baxter an Oscar nomination for Best Actress alongside Queen Davis herself. Either one won, they lost to Judy Holiday in BORN YESTERDAY (1950).

ALL ABOUT EVE (1950) definitely saved Davis 's career, which presented her with Oscar nomination for Best Actress, along with her co-star Anne Baxter. I highly recommend this film to anyone who enjoys classics or a Bette Davis Fan. 

Bette Davis in the"Aged in Wood" costume for ALL ABOUT EVE (1950).

Marilyn Monroe in a publicity photo for ALL ABOUT EVE (1950).

                      Artwork by Glen Hanson.