Jailhouse Rock

Movie Title: Jailhouse Rock
Studio: MGM
Director: Richard Thorpe (Fun In Acapulco)
Starring: Elvis Presley - Judy Tyler - Dean Jones - Vaughn Taylor
Original Release: 1957

"Everybody in the old cell block was dancing to the jailhouse rock!"


It’s been said that Jailhouse Rock is Hollywood’s parable of the real-life Elvis Presley story. The movie tells the tale of poor boy Vince Everett who learns to play guitar and sing while serving a one year jail sentence on an accidental manslaughter charge.

Vince goes from the big house to the big time only to discover the music business is filled with the same kind of crooks he left behind in prison.

Vince is so disillusioned he considers quitting the music business until a new friend helps him form his own label and he becomes an overnight sensation. But, there is a price for his new found fame - will he become as crooked and jaded as everyone else in the business or will he remember the people who helped him get to the top?

While the plot is a familiar tale, the musical numbers were sensational in 1957. Besides the song and dance number Jailhouse Rock (both the song and the choreography are considered classics today) there are other Leiber/Stoller songs as well. Treat Me Nice and Baby I Don't Care are outstanding.

An interesting side note to Jailhouse Rock is that leading lady, Judy Tyler died in an automobile accident shortly after filming was completed. The songs “Young and Beautiful” and “Don't Leave Me Now” took on new meaning when the film was released.

If you have never seen an Elvis Presley movie - start here.